Piper's walking tall thanks to op before she was born

LITTLE Piper Kelly was never expected to walk - but she beat all the odds and is making great strides thanks to an operation she had before she was born.

- Elizabeth Hunter

The five-year-old was still in the womb when she was diagnosed with spina bifida, which affects the development of babies' spines.

Mum Georgia Axford and dad Tyler Kelly were told at their 20-week scan that it was likely their daughter would not be able to walk when she arrived.

But the couple were determined to give their baby the best possible chance. So they travelled to Germany where, in a £9,000 operation, surgeon Dr Thomas Kohl closed a hole in their baby's spine while she was still inside Georgia.

Born healthy at 30 weeks in July 2018, the little fighter was named PiperKohl in the doctor's honour.