Law Firm Supports Mum In Quest To Raise Money For Life-Changing Surgery For Her Daughter
Law firm Irwin Mitchell is supporting a young mother who is trying to raise money for life-changing surgery for her daughter who suffers from Cerebral Palsy.
Lorah Battams, 26, from Hull, is holding a series of fundraising events for her daughter Ruby-Leigh who is five and has suffered with Cerebral Palsy since her birth in 2007.
Lorah is hoping to raise £50,000 which will fund a surgery called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) which will allow Ruby-Leigh to walk unaided. The surgery will ease and improve movement in Ruby-Leigh’s legs as it involves cutting nerves in her lower spine which are responsible for restricting mobility in her muscles. It is not available on the NHS in the UK, so the family would have to have to pay for surgery privately in the UK at Bristol Hospital in order to give Ruby-Leigh the treatment she needs.
Lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have showed their support for the cause by donating £500 which will go towards Ruby-Leigh’s fund to get her the surgery she needs.
Expert Opinion
We wanted to do all we could to support Ruby-Leigh’s family in their fundraising campaign.
“This surgery and rehabilitation would mean that she could be a lot more independent as she grows up and would be able to do a lot of activities such as riding a bike which others take for granted.
“Our medical negligence team handles a number of cases involving traumatic births, often where babies have been left stillborn or severely disabled at birth. In both cases, huge levels of support are required to help people through, not only in dealing with the demands of a disabled child but also negotiating their way through the various organisations who obviously try to provide help but are limited in what they can do by restricted resources.”
Sarah Coles - Partner
Ruby-Leigh was born nine weeks early and after struggling for her first few years, she was diagnosed in 2009 with a form of Cerebral Palsy. Her doctors were uncertain of her future and whether she would need round-the-clock care. Ruby-Leigh is now five and needs daily physiotherapy sessions, but cannot stand up on her own without the help of a walking frame. The surgery would allow Ruby-Leigh more movement in her legs and help her walk independently rather than being confined to a wheelchair.
Lorah, mother-of-two, said: “We are so grateful for the support from Irwin Mitchell through this event. We are a long way off our target of £50,000 but every penny counts towards the surgery that can transform Ruby-Leigh’s life for the better.
“As a family we are doing everything we can to secure the vital funds for her. I have signed myself up to take part in a skydive next year with some of my friends to raise money for Ruby-Leigh and also promised that when we reach the £25,000 mark I will shave my head.”
For more information on the events, please visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/LorahBattams