Don’s big swim for James

The Reid family has received some big news. News they were most desperate to hear.

A surgeon in the United States has agreed to perform a life-changing procedure on Sonja and Don's five-year-old son James.


Don Reid and his five-year-old son James' favourite place – the beach. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

James is unable to crawl or stand without support – and can only take assisted steps with great difficulty.

He has spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, epilepsy and hydrocephalus – or a blockage to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

But his spasticity or high tone in his muscles could be relieved with the help of surgeon David Yngve. The family's new hero.

'It's a big load off my mind to get something secure,” says James' mum Sonja. 'We've got direction and focus now, which is awesome news.”

The operation will include selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening, which involves small skin 2mm-3mm incisions in James' legs to release stiffness of muscles and tendons.

As any worried mother would – Sonja's done her research. 'We have found that only two surgeons in the world do this procedure,” she says.

The surgery and post-operative rehab could cost the family about $150,000 – and they're reaching out to the community to help.

They've so far raised $12,000 via a Givealittle page and James' dad Don is planning to swim 12.3km from Motiti Island to Maketu on January 31 alongside some All Black and Chiefs rugby players including Nathan Harris, Tim Bond and Hika Reid, to help gather more funds.

Sonja says he's done it twice before – and he's frantically training for his third big swim.

'Hopefully everyone will come up and support us. It's going to be a great event as a Maketu Fun Day for families is planned with sausage sizzles, bouncy castles, face painting, a sports memorabilia auction, music and more.”

To donate, or sponsor Don's swim, see www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/TeamJames or follow his Facebook page Team James - Whatever It Takes

In the meantime, Sonja and Don are focusing on the next big challenge of sending James to school for the first time. He'll go to Te Akaui Ki Papamoa.

Sonja is 'nervous and excited at the same time”.

'It's going to be another big change and challenge for James but I have every hope that he settles well with lots of support – and obviously we'd love for him to make some new friends.”

Hear more about James' story here.

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