‘Overwhelming’ response to family’s appeal to help their twins walk – 9News

An incredible response to A Current Affair's story last night about a family seeking potentially life-changing surgery for their two little boys has seen them take a giant step towards their goal.

Ben and William Rosuck had a challenging start to life, born 11 weeks premature, and spent the first two months of their lives in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

At eight months old, the identical twins were diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy.

The boys' condition causes the muscles in their limbs to feel tense, making simple things like crawling and sitting up a monumental task.

Now their parents want to take the bubbly three-year-olds halfway around the world, in the hope they'll soon be able to walk.

Ben and William's parents, Daniel and Sharon Rosuck, told A Current Affair it was only a month ago when the family received a call from a renowned US neurosurgeon's team to say there are two spots available for surgery in December.

"I think this is going to give them the best chance to be the best version of themselves," Daniel said.

"We have had to re-mortgage the house and we've reached our capacity, but we want to give our children the best opportunity to succeed in life," Sharon said.

The selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery is performed by Dr TS Park at the St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri.

The spinal procedure cuts the problem nerves that overstimulate the boys' legs, with the aim of freeing up their muscles to move freely for the first time.

Dr Park believes both boys could soon be upright and walking with the help of canes, and, potentially, one day unaided.

"He's the world leading neurosurgeon in this speciality and he does a technique they don't do here in Australia that's why we've had to go halfway around the world," Daniel said.

Variety, The Children's Charity, are running a fundraiser where people can make tax-deductible donations to help the Rosuck family reach their goal.

And after A Current Affair reported on the family's struggle last night, donations surged to more than $115,000.

There is still a way to go, with about $45,000 more needed by December.

The overwhelmed family issued their heartfelt thanks to all donors.

Mum Sharon thanked A Current Affair viewers for their generosity and said the family was "overwhelmed" by the support.

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'Overwhelming' response to family's appeal to help their twins walk - 9News