The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A wheelchair-bound Pinchbeck teenager could be set to walk again within months of an operation to sever his spinal nerves, if a fundraiser is a success this weekend.
Kieran Evans (17) has cerebral palsy after being born three and a half months premature leaving him with mobility issues from birth.
Despite only being given 12 hours to live when he was born he’s continued to defy doctors and slowly taught himself to walk unaided with the help of years of physiotherapy and several leg operations including one where the bones were broken and pinned back together.
However last October he suffered a setback when a series of painful cramps and spasms dramatically caused him to lose part of his mobility to the point he was back in a wheelchair.
A new surgical procedure which involves cutting the nerves affected in the spinal cord is now available in this country, and the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham has told Kieran’s mum Melissa they can carry the operation out next month – if they have the £13,000.
The family have been fundraising for the operation since Kieran found himself back in a wheelchair.
They’ve had fantastic support from the local community including from the Spalding Round Table who have vowed to donate £6,500, Welland Power who have provided £2,000 and the Spalding Lions whose fundraising donation added £1,500 to the total.
They’re just £1,500 short and that’s why they’re holding a Family Fun Day at The Fisherman’s Arms in Pode Hole this Saturday (July 27).
Kieran, who is also deaf, has been keeping his muscles as active as possible in the hope he can have the operation and has also been continuing to have Botox injections which helps with the pain.
Mum of four Melissa works at the Johnson Hospital and who describes her son as “the strongest person I’ve ever come across”.
She said: “We’ve tried everything over the last couple of months including one last drug that was available, but the side effects for that were horrific so he’s come off that.
“We just hope we can raise enough money. Kieran has been doing everything he can to be in shape so the operation can go ahead.
“With the effects of his latest Botox injection wearing off he’s been really struggling.
“But we’ve been focusing on the fun day and making it a fantastic event.”
The fun day starts at 1am and includes a host of the usual games and stalls.
On top of that there will also be a dead-lift competition, tug of war, a display of motorbikes with Kieran due to present an award to his favourite, and a fire crew from Spalding will be showing off an engine.
There will also be a bouncy castle, face painting and hair brading alongside plenty of cakes and a barbecue.
The event will continue into the night with a karaoke session.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” Melissa said. “Everything is coming together and we’ve had some fantastic raffle prizes from local businesses.
“The guys at the Fisherman’s Arms, it’s been brilliant how many from there have agreed to help out.
“The whole appeal has just been amazing with so many people coming together looking to help Kieran.
“We’re so close to the target. All being well, the first day we can after the fun day we’ll book Kieran in for his operation.”
Those that can’t attend can still donate to Kieran’s cause at https://www.gofundme.com/kieran039s-new-legs
