Brave tot Aiden Farrell has taken his first steps after having Botox injections in his legs.
3-year-old Aiden was born with crippling cerebral palsy and his muscles tightened up so much so he was unable to straighten his legs without pain.
The toddler's parents Sara and Gevun scoured the Internet for treatment and discovered that Botox could be the answer.
The injections, most commonly used cosmetically to prevent wrinkles, work for Aiden by unblocking nerve impulses which restrict his movement.
Mom of four Sara, 31, said: "Seeing Aiden take his first steps is something I never dreamed would be possible.
"I noticed as soon as we got home after having the treatment the difference was amazing.
"Usually he would sit on the sofa with his legs bent up but his legs were normal, like ours would be when we sit on the sofa.
"It may sound unusual but if it helps my little boy walk I do not care.
"It is about trying to build up strength in his length and walk more. He is using muscles he has never used before.
"The difference in mobility is unbelievable."
Aiden has suffered health problems all his young life after being born prematurely at 29 weeks.
He weighed just 3 lbs. and had to be kept alive on a ventilator.
Full time mom Sara and builder Gevun of Hampshire, UK, first feared there could be something seriously wrong with him when he struggled to sit up aged eight months.
Sara added: "When I was told Aiden had cerebral palsy we grieved every day, especially because we have other children and could see them running around the house.
"It was difficult because we wanted Aiden to do the same things they could do.
"Over time his legs tightened up so much he was unable to straighten them. He would cry with any physiotherapy exercises he was given to strengthen his legs.
"I felt useless because all I could do was massage them to make his pain go away."
After Sara and Gevun read about the Botox treatment online Aiden was placed on an 18-month waiting list and in
December last year was given 12 injections, two in each of his calves, hamstrings and groin.
The family were told there was only a 50 per cent chance of it being successful.
Sara added: "I was really nervous taking him to the hospital that morning.
"When it's your own child you really want it to work but of course you have your doubts about what will happen if it doesn't.
"He was put to sleep and we were originally told he would be down for four minutes but it was an hour by the time we got called to see him.
"But when we did he asked for a sausage roll - which made everyone laugh."
The unconventional treatment has had a life-changing effect on the family.
For the first time Aiden is able to stand, walk with his legs straighter on his walking frame, stand with his legs apart and even take a few steps on his own.
Sara was finally able to fulfil her dream of being able to push toy cars through his legs, like she had done with her other children.
Botox uses tiny amounts of botulinum toxin, derived from the bacteria that cause botulism food poisoning.
The deadly nerve agent kills by paralysing the muscles used for breathing.
In tiny doses it relaxes the contraction of muscles in some people with cerebral palsy by blocking nerve impulses.
This allows better control of movement and reduces the risk of muscle and tendon shortening. The effects last between four and six months.
The family are now hoping Aiden will be eligible for selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery - a five-hour operation which will cut the nerves in his lower back and provide a permanent cure.
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