Ushaw Moor youngster is coming home and leaving ‘crazy legs’ behind (From The Northern Echo)

A SCHOOLBOY who travelled to the US for life-changing surgery is due to fly home tomorrow, with medics hopeful his operation will be a lasting success.

Five-year-old Thomas Brennan’s spastic diplegic cerebral palsy left him in constant pain and often unable to walk more than a few steps at a time.

Desperate to help, his mother, Jodie Bussey, decided to send him to the US for pioneering surgery, which involves cutting into the spine and severing the nerve that was causing the spasticity in his legs.

Following a massive outpouring of public support, more than £40,000 was raised for Thomas’ treatment in only six months.

The youngster, from Ushaw Moor, County Durham, who calls his condition – officially known as Little’s Disease – his “crazy legs”, underwent the surgery in St Louis’ Children’s Hospital, Missouri, on Tuesday, August 14.

He is now able to walk freely without help or equipment, though he remains nervous about doing so.

via Ushaw Moor youngster is coming home and leaving ‘crazy legs’ behind (From The Northern Echo).

Thomas walking tall after surgery From Durham Times

A SCHOOLBOY who underwent pioneering surgery only three weeks ago is now walking non-stop without aid indoors, his mother has said.

Five-year-old Thomas Brennan, whose spastic diplegic cerebral palsy left him in constant pain and often unable to walk more than a few steps at a time, went under the knife in St Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri, in the US, on Tuesday, August 14.

His recovery continues to amaze medics and he is now able to walk freely without help or equipment.

From St Louis, his mother, Jodie Bussey, told The Northern Echo: “Thomas really is doing excellent. He is walking non-stop in the hotel now, though still building up the courage to do so outside.

“His strength is building every day, though he still has a very long way to go before returning to his full strength he was before the operation.”

Thomas, from Ushaw Moor, County Durham, who called his condition, also known as Little’s Disease, his “crazy legs”, travelled to the US following a six-month, £40,000 fundraising campaign.

via Thomas walking tall after surgery From Durham Times.

“Crazy legs” Thomas leaves hospital bed (From Durham Times)

Five-year-old Thomas Brennan, whose spastic diplegic cerebral palsy leaves him in constant pain and struggling to walk – particularly during cold weather – had a pioneering operation in St Louis, Missouri, on Tuesday.

Yesterday, doctors helped the youngster, from Ushaw Moor, County Durham, out of his hospital bed and took him around ward 12 of the St Louis’ Children’s Hospital in a wheelchair.

Afterwards, from St Louis, Thomas’ mother, Jodie Bussey, told The Northern Echo: “They have had Thomas out of bed briefly in his wheelchair around the ward, but he didn’t like it and only tolerated a short ride due to the pain.”

Doctors were planning to try again late yesterday evening (GMT) and were hoping for more progress.

Earlier this week, staff said Thomas, who calls his condition his “crazy legs”, was making excellent progress and they aid he could be ready to get rid of his wheelchair within six months.

It had previously been thought it could be two years before Thomas would be able to walk freely.

via “Crazy legs” Thomas leaves hospital bed (From Durham Times).

Mum’s disgust after conmen target appeal for disabled son From The Northern Echo

A MOTHER has spoken of her disgust after thieves and conmen allegedly stole from her £50,000 campaign to secure life-changing surgery for her disabled son.

Jodie Bussey’s son, Thomas Brennan, five, suffers from spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, leaving him in constant pain and unable to walk more than few steps.

He is often confined to a pushchair or wheelchair.

Medics believe pioneering surgery could help him walk freely for the first time. However, the surgery must be performed in the US and would cost at least £48,000.

Since The Northern Echo first reported Thomas’ story in February, wellwishers have helped bring Miss Bussey’s fundraising total to £11,500.

However, she has been told thieves have stolen at least two collection tins, while others have claimed to be fundraising for Thomas, but then pocketed money.

Miss Bussey, from Ushaw Moor, County Durham, said: “To commit theft against a disabled child when we are trying to raise money to get an operation he desperately needs is disgusting.

via Mum’s disgust after conmen target appeal for disabled son From The Northern Echo.

Overyjoyed by pledges for ‘crazy legs’ surgery (From Durham Times)

A MOTHER says she is overwhelmed and overjoyed at the public response to an appeal to help her son walk freely for the first time.

Last week, Jodie Bussey made an emotional plea for help raising the £48,000 needed to get her fouryear- old son, Thomas, the operation medics believe could set him free.

Thomas, from Ushaw Moor, near Durham City, suffers from spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, which leaves him in constant pain and unable to walk more than a few steps at a time.

The youngster, a pupil at St Joseph’s RC Primary School, calls his failing limbs his “crazy legs”.

Doctors believe he could benefit from groundbreaking surgery which involves cutting into the spine and severing the nerve that causes spasticity in the legs.

It is best performed in the US and before children reach six, which for Thomas would be March next year.

Since making an appeal for help in The Northern Echo on Saturday, Miss Bussey has received more than 20 calls pledging support and a series of anonymous donations.

Last night, she said: “We’re over the moon – overjoyed and overwhelmed. I’ve been in tears every time someone’s called.

“A lot of people ringing up have been elderly. It really touches me because I know how much people are struggling right now.”

To sponsor Thomas, visit JUSTGIVING

via Overyjoyed by pledges for ‘crazy legs’ surgery (From Durham Times).

Thomas, four, hopes US op will fix his ‘crazy legs’

A BRAVE young schoolboy needs help to walk freely for the first time.

Four-year-old Thomas Brennan suffers from spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, leaving him in constant pain and unable to walk more than a few steps at a time.

Confined to a wheelchair or even a pushchair, the youngster is unable to run or play with friends.

Miss Bussey, from Ushaw Moor, near Durham City, said: “It’s heartbreaking. He can’t play with the other girls and boys. He tries his hardest, but if he tries to run, he falls over.

But medics believe a groundbreaking operation could set him free.

“Thomas calls his legs his ‘crazy legs’. He just understands that if he goes to America, his crazy legs would get fixed.”

Jodie Bussey

But the surgery must be performed in the US and would cost £48,000.

To sponsor Thomas, visit JUSTGIVING

via Thomas, four, hopes US op will fix his ‘crazy legs’ (From The Northern Echo).