Final Fundraiser with Athenry

Last night our friends Lynn and Shaun organised a fundraiser with band Athenry at the British Legion in Yaxley. They told us that they would do everything to organise the night and they were true to their word! Shaun had managed to set up a 'before and after' dvd so that we could clearly show Daniel's wonderful progress and this was shown halfway through the night, while the band had a break. There was also a raffle and again Lynn and Shaun had arranged everything and found some wonderful prizes, including a diving experience and an off-roading day. There were also prizes donated by various businesses in Yaxley and Huntingdon, thankyou to you all we will be sending thankyou letters very soon! The band were fab and played up until midnight, they also gave their time for free, as did the British Legion.
This was our last official fundraiser and Lynn and Shaun raised £800 for Daniel. Overall we have raised £22,000 and together with our own savings have paid for Daniel's treatment in America. Thankyou to anyone who has donated, given their time and supported Daniel and ourselves during our fundraising over the last nine months. You have all been fantastic and have helped us change our son's future for the better. We will continue to update the blog so please keep checking his progress.

Well Done the Posh!!!

Today Daniel was invited by the Free Kicks Foundation to be a mascot for Peterborough United football team. We met up with Simon who was to be looking after the mascots for the afternoon. He showed Daniel and the rest of us around the inner workings of the football club and Daniel got to meet the players in their dressing room and get his programme signed. Then it was time for Daniel to do his warm-up with Simon and the other mascots on the pitch. Daniel used his frame today because it was pouring with rain and he was worried he would slip, he worked incredibly hard keeping up with all the exercises and even dribbled the ball in between some cones which just looked amazing to us. He couldn't kick a ball before his SDR operation but he seemed in control of the ball and kicked with both left and right feet. Simon was brilliant and we want to thank him for how well he enabled Daniel to join in. After the warm up Daniel led out all the players and officials onto the pitch for the match, he absolutely loved it!
We would like to thank everyone who we met today at the Posh ground they were so friendly, but particularly Simon and of course Steve and Sam from Free Kicks Foundation for giving Daniel (and ourselves) a great afternoon. By the way they won 2-1!!

Walking walking walking

The title of this post sums up what Daniel is doing alot of. This was Dr Park's mantra when he saw Daniel in consultations and said that the way for the kids to progress the best was lots of "walking, walking, walking".
It has only been recently that Daniel has had the confidence to walk a few steps with his sticks but over the last week he has really taken off. We went out to the park today and Daniel said he didn't want to take his frame, just his sticks.(sharp intake of breath from both parents)This is what is so amazing about the effects of the operation, we used to have to take the wheelchair for when he got tired in his frame (which by the way has been gathering dust since September).Now we seem to be taking the frame for when he gets tired in his sticks. The best thing of all is that Daniel is so proud and happy with himself.