DAYS after realising he cannot use his legs little Jayden-Vito Mazzotta-Drapper is one step closer to walking unaided after doctors set a date for a life-changing operation.

The four-year-old from Walcot was diagnosed with spastic diplegia at the age of one, a muscle-stiffness which prevents him from standing on his legs or walking without the support of a frame.

He is now one of a select few chosen to receive the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy procedure, which had previously cost parents up to £24,000, as part of a three-year programme on the NHS after health chiefs announced their intention to pay for the treatment last summer.

After months of uncertainty the family are celebrating after being told Jayden can receive the op on May 18.

“It’s come at a good time too actually since he has only just realised he can’t walk,” said Jayden’s mum, 31-year-old Charlene. “We were watching Red Nose Day and he was asking what it was all about and we explained what it was for and I’m not sure if he put two and two together but he just told us that he couldn’t walk.

“I think we should have expected it to be coming but I’m not sure we could have prepared for it. It was very upsetting. We just explained to him that it was okay to be a bit different.

“It was heartbreaking.”

Before the launch of the free NHS pilot scheme, Charlene raised £24,000 through events and donations from the community to help pay for the procedure.

The money will now be spent on the months of physiotherapy to build Jayden’s muscle strength after the operation as well as travel expenses and additional equipment for him.

Charlene said: “We spent some of it on a new bike for him because we were told we need to try and start building up his muscles now. I really want to thank everyone who supported us and donated it to us, we wouldn’t be where we are today without all their support.

“Obviously we’re absolutely delighted that we now have a date for the operation and we’re looking forward to it taking place.

“We are still a bit anxious and nervous about it and there will be a lot of hard work to build up his muscles so he can walk.

“Jayden will be in intensive care for 48 hours. It’s going to be really hard. It’s a funny feeling: you are so happy and excited but it’s so scary to know it’s going to happen. But we have got to look at the bigger picture. It’s going to stop the pain. It’s going to change his whole life.

“It will just mean he can have the freedom and independence to do his own things and not need as much support.”