Most hospital check-ups warrant a short car journey, but for one Perthshire youngster it means a 10-hour flight across the Atlantic.
Accompanied by his parents and younger sister, little Jack McNaughton from Almondbank today set off on the 4,000 miles to Missouri in the United States to see the surgeon who changed his life 18 months ago.
Once destined to life in a motorised wheelchair, the disabled four-year-old can now get around using special crutches thanks to Dr TS Park.
The renowned consultant, who works at St Louis Children’s Hospital in the midwestern state, carried out pioneering selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery to help correct Jack’s spastic diplegia a form of cerebral palsy.
One of the first children in Scotland to undergo the £40,000 procedure, the pre-schooler saw results almost immediately.
However, only now is it becoming apparent that his dreams of walking unaided alongside his friends and even skiing might become a reality.
Dr Park has been monitoring Jack’s progress online, and after witnessing a recent video of him rotating his ankles he said: ”He does isolated foot movements! He will have a good chance to do independent walking.”
The McNaughton family will visit the specialist physiotherapists involved in the tot’s post-op care and an orthopaedic surgeon will assess Jack’s heel cords.
He will also be fitted with a new pair of lower-leg splints to ensure his legs continue to strengthen in the correct position bringing the cost of the fortnight-long visit to more than £8,000.
Mum Stacy (26) told The Courier: ”It’s going to be a very emotional trip but one of the most important we will ever make. Dr Park has seen videos of Jack and has reported back to us that he has exceeded his expectations, but the proof will be when they stand in front of one another.”
She added: ”Jack has so many questions he wants to ask, most importantly if he will ever be able to ski. He has worked so unbelievably hard and hopefully this trip will show him it has paid off.
”As I’ve said before, none of this would have been possible without the phenomenal fundraising efforts of our local community, who continue to show us so much support.”
Jack spent Wednesday preparing for the long-haul plane journey at MP Fitness in Scone with his trainers, sports scientist Mike Poole and dad Graham (32), who was inspired to change his career last year.
Graham has also been given the chance to work hands-on with the SDR team at the St Louis hospital while he is in Missouri.
Fundraising continues for Jack at justgiving.com/help-jack-walk.