I wanted to share an update about Presley’s SDR journey as we prepare for her surgery this May. So many of you have reached out with love, positive vibes, and well wishes, and we are truly grateful for your support. To keep everyone updated, I’ve decided to share our journey on SupportNow, where I’ll be posting updates along the way. 

As most of you know, Presley was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy at 18 months old. She is incredibly functional—rarely using her wheelchair or gait trainer—and is able to walk and run independently. However, she struggles with stairs, jumping, and activities that require more energy and coordination.  💚

As she has grown, her left leg has become increasingly tight, making movement more difficult. In December 2024, following our medical team’s advice, we tried Botox treatments in both legs. While it provided some temporary relief, the results weren’t significant enough to continue with additional rounds.  Presley currently uses AFOs (leg braces) to support her mobility.

With spasticity worsening as she grows, Presley has been experiencing more pain and fatigue in her daily activities. This has made things more difficult—not just for her but also for me as her mom, especially since I can’t carry her as much as I used to.  

SDR was first suggested to us as a potential option, and through an online connection, I had the opportunity to speak with a young woman who had SDR as a child. She described the procedure as life-changing, allowing her to move with greater ease and reducing the challenges she had faced due to spasticity. Hearing her story gave me so much hope for Presley’s future.  ✨

In April 2022, we traveled to BC Children’s Hospital for an SDR consultation. At that time, Presley was considered too functional for the surgery. She still had enough flexibility and stretch in her muscles that she didn’t meet the strict criteria for approval. The medical team advised us to return for a follow-up consult when she turned six, as spasticity often increases with growth. 

Fast forward to March 2025, we returned to Vancouver for Presley’s reassessment. This time, the team determined that she was a perfect candidate for SDR. This was a huge moment for us because SDR is an incredibly selective surgery—only about 1 in 8 children who travel for consultations are approved. Candidates must meet multiple specific requirements, as the procedure is designed for children who struggle with increasing spasticity but still have the potential for improved mobility with intervention.  

Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is a spinal surgery that helps reduce muscle tightness (spasticity) in children with cerebral palsy. During the procedure, surgeons carefully identify and cut the overactive nerves in the lower spine that are sending excessive signals to the leg muscles. By doing this, the muscles become more relaxed, reducing stiffness and improving movement, balance, and comfort. 

The goal of SDR is to help children move more freely, reduce pain, and use less energy for everyday activities like walking, standing, and playing. While it requires a lot of rehabilitation afterward, many children experience significant improvements in mobility and quality of life over time.  

Post-op, Presley will undergo intensive therapies to help her relearn how to walk without the spasticity that she has relied on for so many years. This will be a challenging process as she adapts to her body functioning in new ways, but we are hopeful that it will help her move with greater ease, reduce her pain, and increase her independence in the long run. 

We are waiting to hear about our post-op therapy plan, but we have our fingers crossed that we will be able to do her intensive therapy sessions right in Vancouver at the rehabilitation center. If that’s the case, we could be staying at BC Children’s Hospital for up to two months for her post-op treatment.  🤞🏻

This SupportNow page is here to provide updates directly from me about Presley’s progress. You’re more than welcome to reach out to me via text at (306) 231-4628 if you’d like to send love or chat. I’ll be posting updates here so that everyone gets the most accurate information about Presley’s journey.  

We are so grateful for all the love, encouragement, and support from our friends and family. Your kindness means more than we can express. We appreciate all of the love and support, and I cannot wait to see how this opportunity will support Presley throghout her life, improving her mobility and long-term well-being. Thank you for being part of Presley’s journey! ❤️