National disability charity Scope is campaigning for all children suffering from cerebral palsy to have access to a treatment which can improve their lives. BBC News Online explains how one girl's life has improved.

Rebecca McCormack was left with cerebral palsy when she stopped breathing during birth and suffered damage to her brain as a result.

She was diagnosed as having the condition six months later and is unable to talk or move independently.

But botulinum toxin treatment was not available from her local hospital in Huddersfield and she was referred to St James's Hospital, Leeds, where she received her first injection in January.

Previously Rebecca had to rely on physiotherapy twice a week, swimming and visits to Riding for the Disabled to alleviate the condition.

Until she received the treatment, she could not stretch her legs or place her feet flat to the floor without wearing orthopaedic boots.

Could not sleep

And she could not sleep through the night because her legs became locked up causing her discomfort.

She can now stand and walk with the assistance of a frame and she is able to get undisturbed sleep.

Surgery to her hamstrings, which are excessively rigid, may not now be necessary, or will at least be postponed.

Her mother Angie told BBC News Online: "It has helped her to stand and walk with a frame and it has helped her sitting balance because her body is now more stable.

"There are a lot of little added benefits - she has always had difficulty sleeping - she gets stiff and continually wakes up. When we went in to see her in the night her legs were very tightly bent. Now she can sleep comfortably."

The injection will be effective for Rebecca for three to six months.

Mrs McCormack added: "We have been very, very lucky in that the people we work with are aware of this treatment and are willing to put us forward for it.

"A lot of parents won't get to know. It should be made available and the information should get through to the people who need it - not just health professionals but parents as well."

But she said the treatment needed to be combined with physiotherapy or it would be "useless".