Plucky 9 year old has surgery in US

Adam ready for surgery

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Plucky 9-year old Adam Kutereba who was born 13 weeks prematurely with life-threatening tetraplegic cerebral palsy yesterday had his first operation in the United States. The operation is said to have gone well and Adam is now recovering.

Mum Rachel said: "Adam is in recovery. He has now been moved to his own room. He is in pain and being sick, but should sleep a lot for the next few hours."

Adam, who suffered two lung as well as a brain haemorrhage shortly after being born was originally given only a 10 per cent chance of survival. He weighed only 2 lbs 8 oz at birth but the youngster overcame a lot of odds and was able to be discharged home only twelve weeks afterwards.

Brave Adam, who cannot stand unaided, needs an operation known as a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy which it is hoped will greatly aid his posture and comfort as well as improve his walking ability.

His dad, Rick, has flown out with Adam to be with him and support him through his treatment.

His mum Rachel who works at Rochdale Leisure Centre hopes to join him in September as he continues his treatment, that will consist of at least one further operation..

Adam has steadfastly refused to let his disability get him down. Earlier this year, the brave youngster abseiled 230 feet down Rochdale’s ‘Black Box’ in a bid to raise the £70,000 needed to send him out to the States for his operation.

Adam attends Littleborough Community School.

His condition affects both of his legs and one arm but this does not stop him from crawling to get himself around when he is not in his specially adapted wheelchair.

All at Rochdale Online would wish to extend our very best wishes to Adam and his family and hope to post regular updates about his progress.

As the Paralympic Games are about to start, Rochdale has its own very special young disabled hero on which to focus our attention.

Go for it Adam!

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/70501/abseil-at-black-box