Eight-year-old makes amazing strides with pioneering treatment

A BRAVE Kidderminster boy and his family will celebrate their "best Christmas ever" after being given hope by a revolutionary treatment made possible by the generosity of Wyre Forest fund-raisers.

Eight-year-old Jake Woodward, who has cerebral palsy, will be able to open his presents for the first time this year after making "amazing progress" since starting pioneering ANR - advanced neuromotor rehabilitation - 13 months ago.

Mum Gail said excitement is building in the family's home in anticipation of the big day.

The 35-year-old explained: "We never believed the treatment would help so much. Jake can do things now he has never been able to do. He is now almost sitting up on his own. We are 100 per cent sure it is just a matter of time before he does that. It has been amazing.

"It is going to be our best Christmas ever and all of the family will enjoy it. We cannot wait to see Jake's face on Christmas morning when he opens his presents."

The youngster and his parents have now made five visits to the special clinic in West Sussex - run by a charity called Advance - for the treatment based on The Scotson Technique.

Unlike most mainstream therapy, ANR aims to reverse rather than manage the problems caused by brain injury.

The five-day sessions include teaching Jake's parents how to put him through exercises which help to strengthen his weak muscles and diaphragm.

When they return home, they must carry out the two-hour routine with Jake, six days a week.

Dad Ian said: "When it first started we did not have any idea how it was going to turn out. Jake is now like a different person since he started the treatment. He is so much more aware of things and his speech has come on better than we ever expected."

Kind-hearted Wyre Forest residents have shown the festive spirit all year round and donated thousands of pounds to give Jake and his family the hope of achieving things that were at one time considered virtually impossible by his doctors.

This year, family and friends hopped into the saddle to cycle their way to raising £1,000 on a sponsored ride, staff at Kidderminster's MV Hairdressing went back to their school days to gather £600 and regulars at The Sportsman pub raised a glass to help the cause.

Schoolfriends of four-year-old Kane, Jake's brother, also put their best foot forward on a sponsored walk and managed to collect £500.

The Woodwards, who also have a 13-year-old son, Luke, admitted they found it hard to believe the support shown by strangers who decided to help after hearing about Jake's story.

Mrs Woodward added: "We cannot thank people enough for their generosity and support. It has meant the world to Jake and us.

"Obviously people who know us have helped, but there have been a lot of strangers who have never met Jake who have also helped. It has been unbelievable.

"Without their kindness it would have been almost impossible for this to happen. We would have eventually found a way to pay but it would have been so difficult."