THERE was not a dry eye in the room as Georgie Gibbs took her first steps since her life-changing operation.

Determined Georgie managed to make her way along the parallel bars just a week after undergoing a selective dorsal rhizotomy to help her walk unaided.

Three-year-old Georgie, who has spastic diplegic rhizotomy, has hit all the expected milestones since the gruelling five-hour operation and doctors are pleased with the reduction of spasticity in her body.

She has been bed-bound then wheelchair-bound since the operation and usually walks with a frame.

Her mum Clare, from St John's, said: "The physios encouraged Georgie by saying she probably wouldn’t be able to step halfway down the bars.

"They had a toy that Georgie really wanted and if she got it then Georgie would be the winner.

"Of course, this was a challenge for Georgie and she took her first steps post SDR, a little wobbly and buckled a couple of times but she still got to them and got that toy - emotional or what.

"I was so proud of my baby girl.

"I knew she would though to be honest – I truly believe that she will do anything if her body will let her."

Another emotional moment was also reached while mother and daughter had a cuddle on Tuesday morning.

"I held Georgie close to me for a cuddle and, while her arms were held tightly around her neck, I put my hands down the back of her legs and to the floor.

"I felt that her heels were both flat on the floor and I couldn’t even get my finger under them.

"This has never ever happened as Georgie always walks on tiptoes with both heels up in the air.

"I couldn’t believe what I was feeling.

"I held her tightly and looked at her feet and sure enough, both those little feet were placed firmly flat to the ground.

"The realisation that the operation had been a success hit me like a thunderbolt there and then, the feeling of immense relief that we had done the right thing, made the right choice became so real.

"I can’t explain the emotion I felt as I’ve never felt it before, but it’s probably along the lines of relief, pride, thankfulness and the feeling that you have just experienced a miracle in the making.

"Excitement for the future and wanting to scream it from the rooftops 'heels down, heels down, the heels are down.

"Wow. Oh my goodness we did it."

* Watch the video of Georgie Gibbs taking her first steps at worcesternews.co.uk.