Baby's parents were told she would never walk - she had surgery before she was out of the womb
06.01.2024 - 09:05
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A little girl whose parents were told she would never walk is now running around - after £9k spinal surgery - while still in the womb. Georgia Axford and Tyler Kelly, then just 19 and 21, were told their unborn baby had spina bifida after the 20-week scan.
The condition causes weakness or paralysis in the lower limbs - and the parents were told it was likely their child wouldn't walk. The couple decided to travel to Germany for treatment, which saw the unborn baby operated on in the womb - at a cost of £9,000.
Piper-Kohl Kelly was then born health in July 2018 - and named after surgeon Dr Thomas Kohl. Now five, she can walk and run - and has even taken part in her school's sports day.
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Mum Georgia, now 24, said: "Seeing her run on the tracks was amazing. I never thought she’d be able to do something like that. Sometimes it doesn’t feel real. I think back to what we were told, and they were really negative about Piper’s diagnosis.
“We were prepared to give Piper whatever support she needed. I can’t believe it – we’re so lucky to see Piper achieve what she does.”
Spina bifida can leave sufferers dependent on supports or crutches, and in severe cases, they can be wheelchair-bound. Doctors were confident that this would be the case for Piper-Kohl, who goes by Piper.
Georgia, from Yate, South Glocestershire said: "I had Piper at thirty weeks. She was in intensive car for 52 days, and then we came home and began living our life like normal.
“Doctors always said there could be a possibility of Piper needing a shunt, so that was a waiting game to see if she was showing signs. At about six months, she did have one fitted. She’s had that for