Five-year-old with cerebral palsy making strides thanks to surgery in Ohio – WKEF ABC 22

Bhoomi Manjunatha, 5, walks with crutches three months after having surgery (Photo courtesy: Nationwide Children's Hospital)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKEF/WRGT) - At just 5-years-old, Bhoomi Manjunatha has been through a lot.

She was born with cerebral palsy and spasticity, which is a muscle control disorder that does allow her to control her muscles. It's a condition that affects more than 12 million people around the world, 80 percent of whom have cerebral palsy.

Thanks to a spinal surgery performed at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Bhoomi doesn't have to rely so much these days on her walker and wheelchair. Bhoomi had the surgery in January, since then she's been working hard to be walking more and it's paying off. The surgery went well, but my part is easy," said Dr. Jeffrey R. Leonard, MD, who performed the surgery. "It is Bhoomi who has months of hard work and therapy ahead of her to strengthen her muscles to take advantage of her newfound mobility.

Four months after the surgery, clinical teams say Bhoomi's walking is getting better, she also says she's in less pain.

WATCH || Bhoomi's story

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Five-year-old with cerebral palsy making strides thanks to surgery in Ohio - WKEF ABC 22