FOR little Ross Kerr and his family this Christmas will be extra special after a roller-coaster year.

The brave youngster, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is on the road to recovery after life-changing operations.

His parents Naomi Miller and dad Ross Kerr Snr say it will be the best Christmas they could have wished for as the remarkable four-year-old goes from strength to strength.

And the Evening Times has been there throughout the year.

As a special treat Ross was welcomed through the doors of Santa's Grotto at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow city centre.

Mum Naomi, 23, from Baillieston, said: "Ross's face just lit up when he saw Santa.

"He was able tell Santa what he would like for Christmas, but he was a little upset when we left as he forgot to tell him one particular toy he would like.

"We reassured him that Santa would guess what it was."

EARLIER this year the family raised more than £45,000 to allow Ross to have treatment in America.

Almost six months on from major operations there, Ross has a new lease of life.

Naomi added: "This Christmas will be the best Christmas we have ever had and it won't be about what's under the tree.

"It will be about the fact my one and only truly amazing brave boy won't need to go to bed in pain and won't be sliding his way down the stairs to see what Santa has left – he will be walking tall.

"He won't be sitting clapping in excitement, he will be running about in excitement and what might seem like a small thing to most people will delight us as he will be able to use both hands to unwrap his well-deserved presents."

In 2010, Ross was diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, which doctors said was caused by him having a stroke in the womb.

While temporary treatments were available in the UK to help his walking, Naomi and Ross Snr hoped an operation only available in America would change his life.

They launched a fund-raising drive in February so young Ross could undergo selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery to improve his walking.

Five months later the family reached the target and headed to St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri.

A three-hour operation to help flatten Ross's right foot was carried out on July 12 and he had intensive physiotherapy, but doctors decided he needed a second operation on his right heel.

NOW there is no stopping him. From horse riding to rock climbing, Ross has been introduced to whole new world.

Naomi said: "Ross is improving daily trying and learning new things every day. His running has improved and he is going horse riding and rock climbing.

"He has been taken by the horse riding and just loves two of the horses Paddy and Casper. When he tried rock climbing we were not sure how he would handle it, but he loves it.

"It is very good to help strengthen his arms.

"Ross still undergoes physo regularly. It's been a lot of hard work for Ross but it's worth it to see his confidence grow and see the amazing improvements."

In January Naomi and Ross will send a video of Ross to doctors in America so they can see for themselves what progress Ross has made.

Naomi added: "You only have to look at Ross to see how far he has come, but we will still be a bit anxious until doctors in America have seen the video for themselves.

"Hopefully they will be as proud of Ross as we are."

deborah.anderson@ eveningtimes.co.uk