THE family of a west Belfast toddler say they have received the "greatest gift we could ever want" after their three-year-old son took his first steps following major surgery in the United States.
Cavan O'Neill from Dunmurry suffers from Spastic Diplegia - a form of cerebral palsy - which affects his ability to walk, leaving him confined to a wheelchair.
But now after undergoing pioneering spinal surgery in Missouri, the little boy has walked for the first time.
His mum Emma said it was "like all our Christmases have come at once".
The family had believed he could benefit from the selective dorsal rhizotomy spinal surgery to permanently release him from pain and allow him to walk unaided.
The operation is used to treat children living with a specific type of cerebral palsy that affects the legs with the goal of getting them on their feet to walk, with or without assistance.
They were able to travel to America last month after embarking on a massive 10-month fundraising drive, securing the £80,000 needed to take him to at St Louis Children's Hospital.
Cavan underwent the four-hour surgery on November 17 and within days was walking with a walking frame.
"Cavan had the surgery and within 11 days they had him walking with assistance, within 18 days, with a walker for short distances and in 20 he too his first steps with canes," she said.
"The surgeon sees him walking independently within a year or two but walking with assistance from now on. Immediately after the op the difference in his legs was phenomenal. He was loose and no longer rigid, which was all I was used to.
"And the most gorgeous part of it all was the day he was discharged he started to sing. He didn't really sing before and now it's all he does.
"We have nursery rhymes to Drake to Christmas songs. I think that's indicative of pain being dramatically reduced or gone altogether."
While Cavan will have to undergo rigorous physiotherapy to help him walk independently, Emma said the difference the past year has made was "unbelievable", including being able to ride a bike for the first time.
"We know we've a huge amount of work to put in to get him walking freely and for longer lengths and that will all be put in place when we return home and new habits will be formed," she said.
"We are delighted. I am in a daze and I don't think it will hit me for a while yet. To think this time last year we were bag packing to raise funds, we were sitting at £20k and now it's all completed is a bit unbelievable. We don't need anything for Christmas, I think we've received the greatest gift we could ever want."
Dad Diarmuid said: "We knew that the surgery would be successful but I'm still surprised by how free he is and free from pain. It's like we've been given a new boy."
Speaking about the generosity and support the family have received, Emma added: "Thank you seems too simple a word to express our gratitude to those who have helped us.
"From the complete stranger who threw 50p in a bucket to those who were at my side the entire journey and the selfless and amazing people who hosted their own events - they have all contributed to changing my son's life and for that I will be eternally grateful."
