James Reid and his mum Sonja Reid on Papamoa Beach.
He was flown to New Jersey on September 18 to receive the operation four days later. The operation, selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening or SPML, would avoid further contractures (stiffness of muscles and tendons), and reduce the need for further surgeries. It involves small skin incisions, 2-3mm in length, to release tight bands of tendon.
After the operation James would receive therapy in New York for several days before flying to Croatia for another two-and-a-half-months of intensive therapy.
Mum Sonja Reid told the Bay of Plenty Times in July she was both excited and nervous. "Yes we've done amazingly well on the fundraising front, we never thought we'd actually get this far," she said.
The 10 weeks of therapy in Croatia, which would include three hours of therapy a day for five days a week, would be a gruelling experience for James, she said.
"He doesn't like doing anything physical at the best of times so it will be a real mental as well as physical challenge for everybody involved - it will be tough.
"But hopefully we will see some good gains out of it."
"We should see way more freedom of movement within him which will hopefully give his brain the opportunity to make new pathways, and move better."
Mrs Reid said the family had been humbled and overwhelmed at the community's support.
Mr Reid said this week the surgery was a lot more involved than first thought but it was hard to believe they were back at the motel just four hours after the start of the operation.
The days ahead would be exciting but busy with therapy in Croatia planned, he said.
The Givealittle page had registered donations of $117,886.96 by this morning.
