Race against time to fund op in America to help boy walk
9:10am Sunday 13th November 2011 in Your Town
MOST little boys take playing football for granted — but not four-year-old Adam Oomer.
The Heathfield Primary pupil was diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy when he was just 17-months-old.
It means he cannot walk easily without the aid of a frame as the condition means his brain sends incorrect signals to his legs, causing the muscles to tighten up.
Adam has to walk on his tiptoes and often falls due to difficulties with his balance and coordination.
His best hope of a normal childhood is if he can undergo a life changing operation called selective dorsal rhizotomy at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri, America.
But the surgery, along with travel costs, accommodation and aftercare will cost his parents, Alyha and Mohammed Oomer, both aged 34, about £55,000.
Mrs Oomer, of Smethurst Lane, Morris Green, said: “He can’t do activities like football, riding a bike or running as normal kids do. The operation would make a big difference to his life. Before school in the morning, children will be running about but he stays close to me.
“It makes me sad to see him like that because he can’t gain independence.
“He is such a clever little boy and he is excited about the operation.
He has been telling the teachers ‘they are going to fix my legs’. He would love to play football with his older brother, Zayam, aged six.”
Adam, who is a reception pupil at the Daubhill school, could have his surgery in July, 2012 but the family have a race against time to raise funds as the most successful operations are carried out on youngsters between two and five-years-old.
Neurosurgeon’s at the Missouri hospital say it should improve his walking, improve his posture and balance.
Adam has the same condition as Ethan Pope, the seven-yearold from Great Lever, who underwent surgery in the same American hospital in July.
Mr and Mrs Oomer are arranging fundraising events and are receiving support from The Bolton Council of Mosques (BCoM).
They have raised £700 of the £55,000 total.
Anyone who can help should visit helpadam.org.uk.
