A MONMOUTH girl is on the road to recovery following an evasive operation last June.

Seven-year-old Chase Vaughan was born 15 weeks prematurely and, as a result, was diagnosed with spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy affecting balance and co-ordination.

Chase underwent Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) treatment last year at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital following a county wide campaign to raise £40,000 for the operation.

The procedure involved entering Chase's spinal cord via vertebrae and cutting the portion that carries messages from the brain to the legs, reducing spasticity.

Daily rehabilitation combined with the operation itself enables the recipient, in this case Chase, to walk unaided.

Chase's mother, Helen Morgan, said her daughter has made excellent progress since her operation.

"The consultant was really pleased with how quickly she's recovered," Helen said.

"Chase still needs daily rehabilitation to strengthen her muscles and balance. It's a long process butshe's doing so well.

Chase undergoes strength and

exercises twice a day, and goes horseriding and swimming every day.

Although she's taken part in these activities prior to theoperation she has improved.

"Chase is able to play football, something she could never have done before the operation,"Helen said.

Helen hopes that in June, a year on from her operation, Chase will be out of splints and walking independently.

On top of Chase's rehabilitation, the seven-year-old is alsosupporting two-year-old Imogen Ashwell-Lewis in fundraising for SDR treatment.

Helen said: "It's amazing how brilliant the local community is. Fundraising is not easy but the treatment has made a huge difference to Chase."