{"id":6621,"date":"2015-11-09T08:42:13","date_gmt":"2015-11-09T13:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=6621"},"modified":"2015-11-09T10:00:50","modified_gmt":"2015-11-09T15:00:50","slug":"family-rallies-support-for-sons-life-changing-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/family-rallies-support-for-sons-life-changing-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Port Sydney family rallies support for son\u2019s life-changing surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"[ratings]\n

Like any mother, Melissa Perry wants what\u2019s best for her boy.<\/p>\n

Ten-year-old Nathan, the youngest of her three sons, suffers from spastic cerebral palsy, the most common form of cerebral palsy.<\/p>\n

<\/broadstreet-zone><\/strong><\/div>\n

Perry describes his disease like this:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor us, just walking around, it uses the same amount of energy as running a marathon for a person with spastic cerebral palsy. His muscles are working against him. They aren\u2019t fluid like ours are. They\u2019re always rigid. He can walk short distance, without any aid. But balance and endurance are an issue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two years ago, Nathan had surgery to straighten legs and lengthen his muscles. The surgery \u2013 combined with his usual strong will and determination \u00ad\u2013 allowed him to do things he\u2019d never done. Now, in June of next year, he will be travelling to St. Louis, Missouri to undergo Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, a special spinal surgery that involves sectioning some of the sensory nerve fibers that come from the muscles and enter the spinal cord.<\/p>\n

\"Nate,<\/a>

Nate, right, with his brothers Owen (left) and Josh. Photo submitted by Melissa Perry.<\/p><\/div>\n

For Nate, his mother says, the surgery will be life changing. But there\u2019s a high price to be paid for healthcare outside the country that isn\u2019t covered by OHIP.<\/p>\n

Once they remove the spasticity, the muscles he hasn\u2019t used or developed will need to be strengthen so he can continue to walk.
\nMelissa Perry<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The cost of the surgery, which will be performed by world-renowned doctor Dr. T.S. Park, is around $71,000 CDN. But that amount doesn\u2019t cover any other expenses that will be associated with their month-long stay. Perry is hoping to raise $100,000, which will help pay for private specialized physical therapy for Nathan and accommodation and food costs, as they will be staying in a hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll have intensive therapy for a year, four to five days a week, and on top of that we\u2019re hoping to hire a personal trainer for strength training,\u201d says Perry. \u201cOnce they remove the spasticity, the muscles he hasn\u2019t used or developed will need to be strengthen so he can continue to walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

The family is currently in fundraising mode and to date, $19,642 has been raised through their Donate For Nate campaign. There was also a walk-a-thon at Conroy Park in October to raise money for the cause and there\u2019s plans for a Valentine\u2019s dance in Bracebridge.<\/p>\n

According to Perry, Nathan (or Nate as he\u2019s more commonly referred to) never lets his disability stop him from going full throttle every day. He was diagnosed with the disease when he was 18 months old and has learned to overcome many obstacles. The V.K. Greer Public School student loves playing sledge hockey, his Tuesday night swimming lessons, and hanging out with his older brothers.<\/p>\n

\"One<\/a>

One of Nate’s favourite sports is sledge hockey<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cBut he has his good days and his bad,\u201d says Perry. \u201cAs he got older, the differences between him and his peers were more evident. He\u2019s not able to keep up as much as he\u2019d like. He\u2019s got a remarkable group of friends at school and as a mom that\u2019s important. I think it\u2019s great that there\u2019s kids out there who are willing to see him for who he is and not his disability.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anyone wishing to make a donation toward Nathan\u2019s surgery in St. Louis next can visit https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/donatefornatesdr<\/a> or email donatefornate@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Using<\/a>

Using his wheels at school. Nate has a great group of friends.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/broadstreet-zone>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[ratings] Like any mother, Melissa Perry wants what\u2019s best for her boy. 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