Girl With Cerebral Palsy Takes First Unaided Steps On Her First Day Of School

Photos of kids going for their first day at school is always pretty cute, but this video from Lancashire might just be the cutest yet.

The girl in the footage is Millie Bea Hughes, a four-year-old from Carnforth in Lancashire from who has cerebral palsy, showing her walking to school on her first day.

She was accompanied by her mother, 36-year-old Natalie, and her twin brother Evan, who can be seen encouraging her along in the clip.

"Millie was so determined and wanted to do it," said Natalie.

"It makes me cry every time I watch that video. Evan was encouraging her, you can see his little feet in the clip and hear him ask, 'Shall I get your sticks or a toy?' It's really sweet."

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Millie was born with cerebral palsy and has undergone several treatments to help her with her condition.

She recently had £32,000 ($24,500) worth of surgery, combined with months of physical therapy, to help her walk without a walking frame and take those first steps to school.

All along her journey has been her brother Evan, who is always on hand to help her out.

"It makes me really, really proud. She's come so far with all her physio and Evan always wants to help her," said the twin's mother.

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"It's just nice to see him be there for her and wants her to walk as much as she does."

"They love each other very much and he'll ask, 'Are you ok, Millie?' and try and help her.

"When we go to the park he makes sure she has a good time and pushes her on the swing which is lovely to see."

Cerebral palsy affects movement and coordination and stems from brain problems that affect sufferers in the very early stages of their life.

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It varies in severity and there are procedures that can help those affected, such as the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) operation that Millie had, which sought to increase her mobility by affecting the nerve systems in the lower back that control limb movement.

"Yesterday was her first time walking in public unaided, something made possible by an intensive strength and conditioning course at specialist therapy centre Walk This Way in Perth," explained Natalie.

"She's struggled with confidence so I'm hoping our next visit there will really help.

"She's now able to do things she couldn't do before the operation and is smashing it - I'm so proud of her."

Topics: UK News, Inspirational, Feels

Mike Wood

Mike Meehall Wood is a freelance journalist and translator. He writes for LADbible, VICE and countless sports publications, focusing on rugby league, football and boxing. He is a graduate of Leeds University and maintains a fizzy pop obsession. Contact Mike at [email protected]