Jack Irvine set to undergo major spinal surgery to improve his cerebral palsy

At 14-months-old, Jack Irvine was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy and now relies on walking frame or a wheelchair to get around. But that could soon change, as he undergoes a major spinal surgery.

Exclusive: Jack Irvine is like most little boys his age; he is funny, cheeky and full of energy.

But the six-year-old “just wants to walk like all his friends”.

Jack was born at 31-weeks and has shown his fight and determination ever since.

At 14-months-old, he was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, and as a result, relies on walking frame or a wheelchair to get around.

Jack is about to start his first year at school, and while that’s a huge hurdle for most children, he has another coming up in just a few weeks.

Just after kindergarten starts, he will undergo spinal surgery to cut the nerve that is causing the spasticity in his legs.

Six-year-old Jack Irvine. Picture: Sticks and Stones Photography

Jack is currently unable to straighten his knees or bring his heels to the ground, making balance and walking very difficult.

Known as Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), the surgery is hoped to improve his ability to walk, by reducing the tightness in his legs.

The first SDR surgery was performed in Australia in 2003 – and is offered at just three hospitals in the country.

Jack was finally approved for the surgery in Sydney, after his parents Annabelle and Richard initially considered flying to the United States for the treatment.

“After delays with Covid, we were finally able to lock in the surgery in Sydney and Jack was found to be a suitable candidate,” Annabelle said.

“That was obviously wonderful but scary news for us.”

Annabelle and Richard are understandably nervous about the surgery, but want to give their boy the best possible chance at walking on his own.

“He is at that age now where he sometimes says things like, ‘Why did I get cerebral palsy? why am I the only one in the family with cerebral palsy?’,” Annabelle said.

Jack undergoing physical therapy.

“He says he just wants to walk like his friends. My heart breaks every time I hear that. Every single time.

“We want to see him walk independently, even just for a little while. Or just an improvement in his stance.”

After the surgery, Jack will undergo weeks of rehab as he learns to walk on his “new legs” – and while exciting, will see the Irvine family living apart for at least a couple of months.

Annabelle and Jack will live at Ronald McDonald house in Sydney, while Richard will be back on The Central Coast with their other three children – including their one-year-old bub.

“This is a big deal for Jack, but also our whole family,” Annabelle said.

“Being apart will be really hard, I haven’t ever been away from the baby and how do you explain to a 15-month-old what’s going on.

“There will of course be weekend visits and time for everyone to see Jack, but what we are holding on to is the improvement this could have for him.”

Despite his age Jack is well aware of the surgery he is about to undergo, but he continues to welcome each day with a funny one-liner and a smile on his face.

“He has the best sense of humour and he loves to make jokes,” Annabelle said.

“He is going to be the class clown, but his sense of humour helps him with his cerebral palsy and all the therapy he has to undergo.”

A fundraiser has been started to help the Irvine family as they live apart and navigate recovery and rehab following Jack’s surgery.

To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jacks-journey-to-walking

Originally published as Jack Irvine set to undergo major spinal surgery to improve his cerebral palsy