Four-year-old with cerebral palsy walks for first time in emotional video – Metro.co.uk

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Louie George Wood was born prematurely at 28 weeks and has quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy, a brain injury called periventricular leukomalacia and delayed development.

He needs round the clock care but with the help of his parents Jodie Morgan and Tom Wood, he has defied many expectations.

Doctors said he would never speak but last year said the word mum.

And now thanks to a special device, he has taken his first ever steps.

Proud mumJodie, 33, captured the amazing moment on film and says she had to fight back the tears as she watched on.

Louie was attached to his dad Tom, 34, with a Leckey Firefly Upsee harness that enables him to stand and move.

Without the device, which costs 400, the youngster cannot even crawl on his own.

Full-time carerJodiesaid: I was absolutely bursting with pride to see Louie walking I had to pick my heart up off the ground.

As a four-year-old boy he should running all over the place but he cant because of his conditions, so see him up and about like that was absolutely huge.

Louie was so excited, he was doing loads of oohs and ahhs. His face said it all, he was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Louie lives with mumJodie, dad Tom and eight-year-old brother Jake in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

Jodiesaid: Louie has a very cheeky character and hes also very loving.

He knows what he wants and when he wants it and hed not afraid to let us know.

The Leckey Firefly Upsee uses straps and footholds so it can facilitate gradual weight-bearing, standing and walking with the assistance of an adult.

Since getting his Louie has enjoyed playing football with his brother Jake while standing up for the first time ever.

Due to his condition the family havent been able to leave the house since lockdown began.

Jodiesaid: It has been so difficult, usually Tom and I have help from family but at the moment we obviously dont.

Were both absolutely knackered.

Mum loses feeling in her legs after giving birth left her with deadly blood clots

I am a full time carer for my wife and daughter in lockdown

What date are gyms reopening and how will social distancing work?

We dont know when well be able to go out again but we cant wait to get Louie walking down the street and playing in the park.

The family are fundraising to pay for a life-altering surgery for Louie. You can donate here.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

MORE: Midwife in gardening clothes rushes next door to help neighbour give birth

MORE: Mum says baby saved her life after huge cancerous ovarian cyst found at pregnancy scan

MORE: Woman carries sisters baby after finding out pregnancy could kill her

Read more from the original source:
Four-year-old with cerebral palsy walks for first time in emotional video - Metro.co.uk