A north-east youngster has been given a new lease of life after experts in the United States helped her to walk for the first time.
Nine-year-old Isla McNab has taken her first steps following major surgery in St Louis.
The brave schoolgirl, who was born with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy and was facing a lifetime in a wheelchair, flew to the US with her parents, Jane and Robert, last week.
The trip was made possible after the Fraserburgh community raised more than £80,000 so the pioneering treatment could go ahead.
Last night, Isla’s grandfather, Ronnie McNab, said the outcome had been everything the family had hoped for.
“She has taken two steps by herself,” he said.
“She said she was crying with joy.
“We are all over the moon. According to the doctor it was a 100% success.”
Isla’s first steps marked the beginning of a four-week programme of physiotherapy which the youngster will have to complete before she can home.
Mr McNab said his granddaughter was relishing the challenge.
“She was asked to do a cycle track five times, but she asked the physio if she could do it six times. She is determined,” he said.
“She is in a bit of pain, but she is really terrific. She is making good progress.”
He said the breakthrough was the culmination of the entire family’s hopes and dreams.
“Me and my late wife, Joan, used to babysit her to let her mum and dad out to work, and my wife told her a few times ‘never mind my girl, one day you will walk’.
“It’s not only Isla’s dream, it was her granny’s as well. Everyone is so chuffed.”
It is hoped that St Andrews School pupil Isla could be walking through the door of her homeas early as next month.
She is the third child from the north-east to be treated by the surgeon, Dr Tae S Park, in St Louis.
Three-year-old Peterhead boy Dylan Parson had the same procedure – a selective dorsal rhizotomy – last year.
The toddler, who also suffers from cerebral palsy, had difficulty walking prior to the surgery.
His mother Jenna said the operation had changed his life.
“It has all been positive for our side so far,” she said.
“He is managing to do things he wasn’t before.
“It’s a different world over there, everybody was so helpful and it was just amazing.
“But every child’s recovery is different. Dr Park tells you the same, every child is different.”
Elrick-born Adam Walker, 7, was also treated by the doctor last year.
Dr Park said: “While the procedure will not cure cerebral palsy, I have seen it improve quality of life for children and their families.
“Children who were once told they would never walk can now swim, dance, and play with their friends. That is extremely gratifying to say the least.”