A LEADING NORTH EAST dentist who specialises in creating perfect smiles has done just that – by supporting a fund raising campaign.
Dr Ken Harris from Riveredge Cosmetic Dentistry carried out extensive work on one of his long standing patients, whose granddaughter needs to travel to America for major surgery.
And when Dr Harris heard about the efforts being made to get seven-year-old Isabelle Mycroft pioneering surgery to help improve her cerebral palsy, he reimbursed the cost of the treatment and donated it to the fund.
Retired teachers Elisabeth and John Patterson of East Herrington, have been Dr Harris’ patients for more than 25 years and were delighted that he was able to support them.
“Dr Harris has been really generous,” said Mrs Patterson (74).
“Isabelle suffers from cerebral palsy and in her case she can’t walk on her heels so she has to walk on her toes all the time and it means she has to hop from one foot to the other.
“The pioneering surgery she needs that will change this is rarely available in the UK but is available in America so that’s where she is going to go.”
The race is now on to hit the £50,000 target needed to send Isabelle for the SDR – Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy – procedure which will be carried out at the St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri.
“The operation was supposed to take place in September but it’s now been brought forward to the end of June so the fund raising is more important than ever, which is why we’ve been very grateful for all of the support, “ added Mrs Patterson.
Dr Harris, who runs the practice in both Sunderland and Newcastle, said he was delighted to have been able to help.
“This is such an important procedure for Isabelle which will really change her life,” he said.
“I’ve known John and Elisabeth as patients since 1988 and I was delighted that all of the team at Riveredge were able to help in a small way.”
Isabelle, who lives in Hampshire, will have the surgery carried out by Dr TS Park, who is widely acknowledged as one of the best doctors in this field in the world.
The youngster was one of twins born prematurely and was diagnosed with the condition at 15 months.
Anyone who wants to support the fund raising campaign can do so at www.gofundme.com/p35j9ems
Further information about Dr Harris is available at www.riveredge.co.uk