Angus twins with cerebral palsy may be about to see their lives change after a “very emotional” meeting with brave Perthshire toddler Jack McNaughton and his family.
Carnoustie mother Averil Fleming (32) was overwhelmed last weekend to see the progress the three-year-old has made since surgery in the United States gave him the mobility in his legs that his parents once thought impossible.
Averil and her partner Fraser Hirsch (26) have now decided to embark on a bid to raise the £80,000 required for two-year-old daughters Ayley and Chloe to undergo the same operation.
The families met at the McNaughtons’ Almondbank home on Sunday after Averil told The Courier that reading of the “inspirational” little boy’s tale gave her hope that the twins might one day be able to run on the beach near their home.
Although Ayley is able to walk with a specialised frame, Chloe has no movement in her lower body and the family hope the surgery, which is not available on the NHS, could revolutionise their lives.
The couple who have another daughter, Lilly (6), and also care for Fraser’s sister Maxi (14) have admitted the twins need so much care and attention that even doing the weekly shopping can be hugely challenging.
Averil, who gave up her job in Tesco to care for the girls full-time, said, “Meeting with Jack’s family was fantastic but just so emotional. It made us realise that this operation is what our girls need.
“We want them to go to exactly the same hospital in Missouri because it’s unbelievable the progress Jack has made. You could see the difference between him and the girls. They all got on really well though and were playing away together with his Toy Story toys.”AmazedJack’s parents Stacy (25) and Graham (30) were amazed when their son confounded doctors’ expectations by standing unaided just days after his operation to reduce muscle spasticity. He was walking with the aid of a frame weeks later, despite suggestions that this would take around a year.
Inspired by his progress, Averil and Fraser have been thinking of fund-raising ideas and Averil’s father, former Dundee footballer Ian Fleming, is hoping to enlist the help of former team-mates for high-profile events.
The pair will also ask guests at their wedding, due to take place in the Queen’s Hotel in Dundee on October 15, to donate money to the twins’ fund as opposed to gifts.
Averil added that she was “very grateful” for the advice and support that Stacy and Graham had already given her family.
She said, “They were just lovely, a fantastic family. We’re going to keep in close contact with them and Stacy has said she will help me make sure I’m doing the right things in terms of fund-raising.
“It was also great just to get information from them on what kind of preparation we will need to do as there are a lot of things we didn’t know about.”