AN INSPIRATIONAL 10-year-old girl is a step closer to her dream after undergoing a life-changing operation.

Tahlia Kenner suffers from severe cerebral palsy and in September 2015 her family from Wyke Regis in Weymouth appealed to the public to help raise £40,000 to fund her surgery and ongoing aftercare.

Last October Tahlia underwent Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery and the difference was noticed instantly.

Tahlia's mum, Helen said: "We went round to see her in recovery and the very first thing she said was 'look I can wiggly my toes'. It was amazing. 

"The first week was the hardest with all her medicines. She had quite a bad reaction to one she was on but she came through it. 

"Then it was full steam ahead with physio and Tahlia has put everything she has into it. She works really hard. 

"She has two intense physio sessions a week and one hydrotherapy. For the first time recently she floated on the water by herself. I never thought I would see that.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who donated and held events for Tahlia. 

"The amount of donations was just overwhelming. If you think about how kind and generous people were to us who had never heard of us before – it gets you quite emotional."

In addition to her sessions, Tahlia is doing physio at home every day for at least an hour. Her dream is to one day be able to walk and dance. 

Her dad, Rob said: "It's vital to keep going with the physio because she could get really tight in her muscles again and that would set her back.

"She has been doing exceptionally well. She has been using parallel bars to stand up and walk or walk on her knees. It's just incredible. 

"We need to get her the strength in her core muscles. 

"Tahlia has had to go back to basics and learn all those things a baby or toddler would learn. She has never been able to crawl but now she can get on all fours and hold the position. 

"She has come so far in such a short space of time. She has a six-month check up coming up and I think everyone will be surprised at how well she is doing. 

"We are still fundraising for Tahlia as it would be great to get some of the equipment to help her out, like the parallel bars, as the majority of her physio is at home with us.

"We would also like to get a Kaye Walker which she could use to support herself and walk around.

"We are working on organising more fundraising events but her physio is so important so that takes priority."

To donate to Tahlia visit justgiving.com/fundraising/tahliasdream