Couple fly sick daughter to China

A BRITISH couple flew to China with their eight-year-old daughter yesterday for her to undergo a controversial treatment for cerebral palsy.

Kishor Tahiliani and his wife Priti believe that stem cell treatment will help their daughter Vaishnavi, known as Shonia, to lead a more normal life.

The treatment is unavailable in the UK but a hospital in China claims a breakthrough in treating cerebral palsy by injecting stem cells into the spinal cord fluid which then flow directly into the brain.

The treatment at Tiantan Puhua Neurosurgical Hospital in Beijing has already helped 19-year-old Gabor Bocskai from Hungary to walk, sit up, swim, concentrate for longer, see better and speak.

The family, who live in Bournemouth, Dorset, have been able to fund the £18,000 (€26,500) needed for the trip thanks to a donation from the town’s Hermitage Hotel.

Mr Tahiliani, 34, said the treatment was due to take at least two months but the family was hoping to raise extra funds to allow their daughter to continue receiving the treatment for a third month.

He said: “It is an extensive treatment and we have enough for two months, but we need to raise more for the third month as this is recommended so she can undergo further treatment including physiotherapy as is recommended.”

Mr Tahiliani, who works in hotel management, added: “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.

“He was unable to walk and he is walking now.”