Anthony deserves a chance, says surgeon
BUREAUCRACY is standing in the way of a nine-year-old boy having an operation the only alternative to which is amputation, a world-renowned US-based doctor has said.
Anthony McMahon was born with abnormal hip joints and short legs.
But in 2008 he was the first person in the country to have a 'super hip and knee' operation to reconstruct his right leg by Dr Dror Paley, pictured.
Six years on, his parents, Ian McMahon and Kerry Croxton, are fighting to get the same surgery performed on his left leg.
The only alternative they have been left with is amputation. Despite paying for the first operation, Health and Social Services said the funding request was declined on the basis that the procedure was unproven and clinically was not the best treatment.
Dr Paley disagreed and said the procedure was his 'best option'.
'This boy deserves the opportunity to better his outcome.
'It is a shame that the bureaucracy is standing in his way,' he said.
'Had they stood in his way the first time we proved ourselves, he would be even more disabled than he currently is. '
