Revolutionary treatment for girl

Shonia will need physiotherapy and speech therapy

The parents of an eight-year-old girl with cerebral palsy are hoping to send their daughter to China for a revolutionary new treatment.

Kishor and Pita Tahiliani from Bournemouth in Dorset are planning for their daughter, Vaishnavi, to have stem cells injected into her spinal cord.

The treatment, which is not available in the UK, has been credited with helping other cerebral palsy sufferers.

The couple will have to raise £18,000 for two months' therapy in Beijing.

Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by part of the brain not developing properly affecting movement.

Chance for normality

The treatment at Tiantan Puhua Neurosurgical Hospital involves injecting stem cells from the umbilical cords of healthy babies into the spinal cord fluid of the cerebral palsy sufferer.

The cells then flow directly into the brain where they develop into new cells and repair some of the damage.

Mr Tahiliani, 34, said: "This is the best treatment for her. There are cerebral palsy children who were totally blind and now they can see, that's in Mexico.

"My wife spoke to an American woman. They were crying on the phone, her child is able to do what a normal child does.

I think it will open so many doors for children Kishor Tahiliani, father

"He used to get fits before, all the epilepsy fits have gone, he was unable to walk and he is walking now.

"There are so many children who have improved. It's amazing really."

Vaishnavi, who is known as Shonia, cannot speak, sit or walk. Her parents hope the treatment will help her to live a fuller life.

Mr Tahiliani and his wife discovered the ground-breaking therapy through research on the internet.

Mr Tahiliani said: "I think many parents are still not aware of this revolutionary treatment and what it's doing for others.

"China are quite advanced in this field. The UK has fallen behind at the moment. Research is still in its early stages here, it will be 2010 before it comes into action.

"I think it will open so many doors for children."