A YOUNG girl has had the second in a series of life-changing operations to help her walk unaided.

Willow Emmison-Neal, from Skipwith, near Selby, was born six weeks early, and has a form of cerebral palsy called spastic diplegia, which affects her from the waist down.

The Press has followed her journey as family and friends raised £60,000 to send her to America to undergo a procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy.

It reduces leg muscle stiffness by cutting off some of the sensory nerve fibres that come from the muscles and enter the spinal cord.

Willow, now eight, has now undergone two operations in America. Mum Sally said: “Willow’s second surgery – hamstring lengthening on both legs – was quick and we were back to the hotel just after lunch.

“The operation itself was a success and will now enable Willow to have straighter legs when she is standing and walking.

“Willow was very brave as she really didn’t want to have another operation, but in true Willow style was taking steps and riding a bike in physiotherapy just one day later.

“The hospital has just issued new splints that are decorated with Tweety Pie which she will need to wear for the next six weeks.

“After this these will be reduced to ankle splints and then to shoe insoles which Willow is very excited about as this will allow her to wear ‘nicer’ shoes.

“There’s no denying this is exhausting, but there is a real sense of how Willow’s life will be improved as we see her go from strength to strength each day.

“The staff at the hospital take really good care of her and their experience of treating children with cerebral palsy really shines through.”

The surgery was unavailable to Willow in the UK, so her family set up a charity called Willow’s Wish to raise the £60,000 needed to send her for the treatment and aftercare in the USA.