IT is a milestone for every parent, their child’s first steps.
But for Victoria Komada’s parents, that long-awaited moment will only be possible if they manage to raise £300,000 in just three weeks, as they face a desperate race to save her legs.
The adorable toddler was born with tibial memimelia, a “one in a million” condition that means she is missing bones in her legs, and has severe knee and ankle deformities.
Doctors have told her parents Dariusz and Marzena there is no other option but to amputate.
But, refusing to give up hope they have found a team of specialists in the US who believe they can save Victoria’s limbs.
Now the couple, from Norwich, need to raise at least £300,000 to pay for three operations and a 12-month stay in the US.
While they’ve managed to raise just over £100,000 already, the family need to raise the rest, and fast.
Dr Dror Paley, director of the Paley Institute in Florida, said for the surgery to be most effective, Victoria needs to start treatment around her second birthday.
The toddler, who turns two on June 22, can move about shuffling on her knees.
But the treatment could prove life-changing, allowing her to walk.
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Dad Dariusz told Sun Online: “This will change her life.
“It’s the only chance she has to walk one day.
“We need to raise this money before June, to give Victoria the best chance to stand on her own two feet.
“Her life chances are improved if this operation is performed around her second birthday.”
So far the couple, friends, family and local community have rallied to raise around £131,000.
They now face an anxious few weeks to try and find the remaining money.
It was only when Victoria was born that her parents and doctors realised something was wrong.
Dad Dariusz recalled: “It was a big shock for us.
“As soon as she was born we realised something was wrong with her legs.
“There was no sign on scans when Marzena was pregnant.
It’s the only chance she has to walk one day. We need to raise this money before June, to give Victoria the best chance to stand on her own two feet
Dariusz Komada
“Doctors on the NHS told us the best option is to amputate both her legs.
“But, we don’t agree to that.”
Tibial hemimelia is extremely rare, affecting just one in every million live births, experts predict.
While it can be diagnosed as early as 16 weeks into the pregnancy via ultrasound, scans did not pick up Victoria’s deformity.
The condition can affect the left or right side, or both as in Victoria’s case.
Dr Paley examined Victoria while the family were visiting relatives in Poland in March last year.
He noted the toddler’s left foot is “better formed than the right”, adding she has five toes on her left foot but only two on her right.
Dr Paley said Victoria is missing a kneecap on her right leg, meaning she can’t move her knee properly.
Her left shinbone, or tibia, is only partially formed, reaching to her mid calf.
Meanwhile, she is missing a shinbone on her right leg, which only has a fibula or calf bone, and no patella (kneecap).
In addition, scans have showed Victoria has incomplete muscles and wasting in both legs.
Dr Paley told Victoria’s parents: “The reconstruction that I have offered on the left and of course the one on the right are procedures that I have developed.
“These procedures are not available currently in Europe, to my knowledge.
“We have performed these on quite a large number of patients, including more than four children in Poland, sponsored by the Polish National Health Fund.
“The youngest I start these treatments is 12 months, and typically I do the surgery between 12 and 24 months.”
Victoria and mum Marzena face a year-long stay in the US while the toddler receives treatment.
But, dad Dariusz said he will only be able to fly out for his daughter’s operations, because he needs to stay behind and continue to work at the family’s Polish shop in Norwich.
He added: “She’s such a smiley little girl.
“She’s no different to other kids, apart from her legs.
“Someone must be looking at her from the heavens, because she’s perfect in every other way.
“Her legs are enough of a battle.”
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