She’s back home – and the prospects for little Paige Stewart look considerably brighter than when she jetted off to the United States for pioneering surgery to help her walk.

Filled with hope but understandable trepidation, parents Julie and David set off with five-year-old Paige from their Rainham home to Missouri for the operation earlier this year.

Born with cerebral palsy, she faced a lifetime in a wheelchair unless she was able to have the ground-breaking spinal surgery at St Louis Children’s Hospital, which is not available on the NHS.

UK doctors said there was nothing more they could do for Paige and told her parents her mobility would decrease until she was wheelchair-bound.

Her parents refused to accept that dire prognosis and started a fundraising appeal, backed by the Medway Messenger, with one anonymous donor giving £20,000.

Having returned just weeks after the surgery, Paige is already taking her first few independent steps and learning to walk with sticks.

"Paige could be walking in 18 months" - mum Julie

Mum Julie, 35, said: “Doctors have told us there is no reason why she will not be able to walk without an aid.

"She has got a lot of work to do but if she carries on progressing the way she has, Paige could be walking in 18 months.”

Paige had two operations, the first to remove part of her spine and cut the nerve-endings and the second to lengthen her muscles. Within days, she was up on her feet.

Mrs Stewart said: “It was really hard at first because Paige lost all her strength, she couldn’t even sit up on her own. She had to learn everything again but she is getting stronger every day.

“Paige walked on her tip toes before and dragged her feet. She doesn’t do that any more, she steps flat. She loves the fact she has now got straight knees and she was so excited she could wiggle her toes.”

Paige touched the hearts of readers last Christmas after writing to Santa asking him to help her walk, and people all over the Towns supported the appeal.

Mrs Stewart added: “Paige is looking forward to all the things she will be able to do. I am so grateful to everyone who helped raise the money.

“Being able to walk will change Paige’s life and you cannot put a price on that.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/paigestewartappeal to support the appeal which is continuing