A GLASGOW mum is desperately trying to raise £50,000 for surgery she believes could transform her son's life.

Ashley Granger, needs the cash to take nine-year-old Joshua, who has a rare form of cerebral palsy, to the US for treatment.

Joshua was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, and can't walk properly.

While temporary treatments help his walking skills, his family are pinning their hopes on a life-changing operation.

Today the 26-year-old mum-of-two launched a fundraising drive so Joshua can undergo selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery. It is hoped the operation maybe even let him fulfil his dream of playing football.

Joshua is to have the op in February – if the Pollok family can raise £50,000.

Pupil support assistant Ashley, said: "This type of cerebral palsy makes it very difficult and sore for Joshua to walk. He wears splints to support his ankles, which can be very uncomfortable.

"And every three months Joshua receives injections to his legs – without anaesthetic. He is so brave."

Joshua, a pupil at St Marnock's Primary School, said: "All I really want to do is play football. I usually have to just watch from the sides, but I hope this operation means that I can play too."

Joshua was born 10 weeks premature and weighed just 3lbs 6oz.

After seven weeks in intensive care, Ashley was overjoyed to take her little boy home but when he was one, his mum noticed he wasn't doing things a baby of his age should.

Ashley said: "I took him to the doctors and it was then that they diagnosed him with cerebral palsy. We were told it was because Joshua had a slight bleed in his brain when in intensive care, as a baby.

"At first, the reality of it all didn't hit home, but we dealt with it.

"Since then, Joshua has had to learn to use a walking frame. It has been hard work, and we know there is a lot more hard work ahead but it will definitely be worth it."

Ashley looked into Joshua's condition to see what could be done to help and discovered that the St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri offered treatment.

Ashley said: "I spoke to doctors about SDR and was told of the risks, which left me with a lot to think about. But, after careful consider-ation, I applied to St Louis Children's Hospital for Joshua to have the operation.

"Dr Park and his team in St Louis have carried out thousands of these operations, with successful results. Joshua will also undergo a procedure to lengthen his calves.

"Obviously I want to see Joshua walk without his frame or chair, but if he was to come home from St Louis, with just a little more independence it would make such a difference to his life."

The operation will involve around four weeks in America, for the procedure and follow-ups, and then continued physiotherapy at home for several months.

Ashley and her partner, Craig Greenwood, 23, and their one-year-old daughter, Rebbekah will join Joshua on the trip.

The family – including Joshua's dad 27-year-old William Archer – are organising a range of fundraising events.

Ashley added: "This operation is by no means a cure for Joshua's cerebral palsy, but it is a treatment that will transform his life.

"I can't let this opportunity of a better life for him pass by."

rebecca.gray@eveningtimes.co.uk

A GLASGOW mum is desperately trying to raise £50,000 for surgery she believes could transform her son's life.

Ashley Granger, needs the cash to take nine-year-old Joshua, who has a rare form of cerebral palsy, to the US for treatment.

Joshua was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, and can't walk properly.

While temporary treatments help his walking skills, his family are pinning their hopes on a life-changing operation.

Today the 26-year-old mum-of-two launched a fundraising drive so Joshua can undergo selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery. It is hoped the operation maybe even let him fulfil his dream of playing football.

Joshua is to have the op in February – if the Pollok family can raise £50,000.

Pupil support assistant Ashley, said: "This type of cerebral palsy makes it very difficult and sore for Joshua to walk. He wears splints to support his ankles, which can be very uncomfortable.

"And every three months Joshua receives injections to his legs – without anaesthetic. He is so brave."

Joshua, a pupil at St Marnock's Primary School, said: "All I really want to do is play football. I usually have to just watch from the sides, but I hope this operation means that I can play too."

Joshua was born 10 weeks premature and weighed just 3lbs 6oz.

After seven weeks in intensive care, Ashley was overjoyed to take her little boy home but when he was one, his mum noticed he wasn't doing things a baby of his age should.

Ashley said: "I took him to the doctors and it was then that they diagnosed him with cerebral palsy. We were told it was because Joshua had a slight bleed in his brain when in intensive care, as a baby.

"At first, the reality of it all didn't hit home, but we dealt with it.

"Since then, Joshua has had to learn to use a walking frame. It has been hard work, and we know there is a lot more hard work ahead but it will definitely be worth it."

Ashley looked into Joshua's condition to see what could be done to help and discovered that the St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri offered treatment.

Ashley said: "I spoke to doctors about SDR and was told of the risks, which left me with a lot to think about. But, after careful consider-ation, I applied to St Louis Children's Hospital for Joshua to have the operation.

"Dr Park and his team in St Louis have carried out thousands of these operations, with successful results. Joshua will also undergo a procedure to lengthen his calves.

"Obviously I want to see Joshua walk without his frame or chair, but if he was to come home from St Louis, with just a little more independence it would make such a difference to his life."

The operation will involve around four weeks in America, for the procedure and follow-ups, and then continued physiotherapy at home for several months.

Ashley and her partner, Craig Greenwood, 23, and their one-year-old daughter, Rebbekah will join Joshua on the trip.

The family – including Joshua's dad 27-year-old William Archer – are organising a range of fundraising events.

Ashley added: "This operation is by no means a cure for Joshua's cerebral palsy, but it is a treatment that will transform his life.

"I can't let this opportunity of a better life for him pass by."