Joy for Sebastian as life changing op will go ahead

Three-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer, Sebastian Skinner from Bilton will be able to have a life changing operation thanks to an anonymous £30,000 donation.
NADV 1410285AM1 A delighted Sebastian Skinner with his mum Selina, dad Leigh and little sister Darcey. Picture : adrian Murray (1410285AM)NADV 1410285AM1 A delighted Sebastian Skinner with his mum Selina, dad Leigh and little sister Darcey. Picture : adrian Murray (1410285AM)
NADV 1410285AM1 A delighted Sebastian Skinner with his mum Selina, dad Leigh and little sister Darcey. Picture : adrian Murray (1410285AM)

Sebastian will be able to fly to the States next year for pioneering surgery which will help him walk, run and jump like other children.

Mum of two, Selina Skinner, 33, said the family is ‘overwhelmed’ by the donation which brings the total raised to £61,700, close enough to the £75,000 target to ensure he can sign up for the operation.

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She said: “It is just unbelievable to think of people donating their hard earned money. Just before the cheque for £30,000 we received a cheque for £2,000 which is just amazing. I couldn’t believe it, it didn’t sink in for a long time, I didn’t let myself believe it until the cheque went through.”

She added: “I get very emotional thinking about it all, everyone has been so generous and supportive.”

Sebastian has Spastic Diplegia, a type of cerebral palsy which affects the muscles in his legs.

The brave three-year-old has had botox injections to ease the tension in his legs and until recently walked with splints.

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In September Sebastian’s parents were told his legs muscles were too tight for splints and there was nothing more Orthopaedic doctors could do. “That was really hard to hear,” said Selina, “He is right on his tippy toes now, and can be in pain quite a lot.”

Sebastian will fly to St Louis Children’s Hospital next April for the life-changing Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) procedure by pioneering surgeon Dr Parks.

Primary Schools across the Harrogate District backed the Standing for Sebastian campaign on World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 1, raising thousands for the appeal.

Bake sales, plant sales, a Halloween party and a pub quiz have all helped add to the total raised.

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Selina said: “We still have some money to raise, but it feels achievable now. I was starting to get really stressed with it, with Leigh working long hours and me juggling taking care of two children and fundraising, I thought we would never manage it.”

Other Harrogate families who have faced the same situation have reached out to Selina and Leigh, 34, who have been married for seven years and also have a daughter, Darcy who has just turned one.

Selina said: “I have seen the difference it makes to children’s lives.”

The couple’s friends are continuing their efforts and on Friday Andrew Clay is set to cycle 160 miles from Morcambe to Bridlington in one day to raise funds.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/standingwithseb/

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