Chasing Ava's Dream

My name is Ava Campbell and I have one wish. I wish that I could be a normal eight-year-old, playing with my brothers and my friends like the other kids at school do. But I can’t. Why? Because I have cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy has made the left side of my body weak and tight. Although I can walk by myself, I struggle to do things other kids can, simple things like running, skipping and climbing on playgrounds. Swimming is a challenge and riding a bike is extremely difficult. Keeping up with my two brothers, Aiden (6) and Cooper (4), and my dog Rosie is just impossible.

What I really want most in the world is to be able to play netball and soccer. I just want to be able to do what other kids do.

Why do I have cerebral palsy?

My cerebral palsy was caused by a bleed on my brain before I was born. However, it wasn’t diagnosed until I was 18-months-old. Since then, every six months I have to go to hospital for Botox treatment. This helps to relax the left side of my body, but I have to have a general anaesthetic each time, which I hate.

I now have an opportunity to undergo surgery in America which could enable me to do everything I want to do, but it’s going to cost NZ$100,000. My family are doing all they can to raise these funds, but if you could help in any way, I would be incredibly grateful.

What would happen in America?

The surgery in America is called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy. It is conducted by an awesome doctor, Dr T S Park at St Louis Children’s Hospital, who has already helped approximately 3,000 people with cerebral palsy, 12 of whom are Kiwis.

The surgery would require Dr Park to cut the nerve in my back that is sending the wrong message to some of the muscles in my leg. This would permanently reduce the spasticity in my leg but would mean I’d have to undergo a lot of rehabilitation to build my strength up again.

The NZ$100,000 is needed for the surgery and the three weeks I need to stay in St Louis with my mum afterwards to concentrate on my rehabilitation.

If I can’t get this surgery, the left side of my body will continue to remain tight and weak and will likely get worse the older I get. Any donation you can give, large or small, would be very much appreciated.

Thank you

Ava Campbell

Age 8

Endeavour Primary School, Hamilton.