Carnoustie twins Ayley and Chloe Hirsch have amazed their parents by walking just days after a life-changing operation.
It was the moment parents Averil and Frazer have dreamt of since they launched their fundraising campaign last year.
Ayley and sister Chloe are undergoing daily physiotherapy after their operation at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri by renowned surgeon Dr TS Park.
They reduced their parents to tears by managing to walk with a frame. Speaking to The Courier from America during a break in the gruelling schedule, Averil said: ”Both girls seem to have come back to their normal, cheeky selves again.
”I was concerned about Ayley as she seemed so fragile and very sore and was still not wanting to move much but then all of a sudden she just got out of her chair and started to walk around a play table. It was amazing and we were so proud of her.”
She added: ”Ayley is so determined and she walked on the treadmill with a little help for five minutes during therapy. This was the best feeling ever to see her so confident and we are very proud of her.
”The therapist was amazed as well and they say she is doing exceptionally well.”
Averil continued: ”Ayley has also been walking with her sticks with minimal support and has been working hard in the gym to make her legs strong.
”Chloe has also taken a few steps in her new walker which left me in tears all over again. My girls are making me so proud.”
The young cerebral palsy sufferers have three more weeks of treatment before returning to Scotland. They are also wearing leg braces for six hours every night.
Averil said: ”In the past few days our girls have taken everything that’s been thrown at them in their stride.”
Averil has been updating hundreds of anxious followers on the family’s Facebook page. She said the support from everyone at home in Carnoustie has kept the family going.