A NORTH-EAST toddler is flying to the United States today for specialist tests which will determine her future.

Two-year-old Sophia Carter, from New Marske, in east Cleveland, has hundreds of epileptic fits every day and is unable to walk, talk, sit or stand on her own.

The trip to see Dr Harry Chugani, the world's leading expert in epilepsy, at his hospital in Michigan is Sophia's last hope of finding a cure and of leading a relatively normal life.

Dr Chugani will carry out specialised tests to determine from where in the brain stem the attacks come and if he can carry out surgery to help her overcome her problems.

Sophia's parents, Jon and Alison, have raised more than £6,000 to fund their trip, including a large donation from 96.6TFM Radio's Make A Child Smile charity and a bus- pull through Redcar by Arriva bus drivers.

But if Sophia is eligible for the surgery, the couple will have to raise at least £60,000, and the fundraising will start again.

Last night, the family was preparing to fly to the States with the first concern of how Sophia was going to handle the long transatlantic flight.

Sophia's dad, Jon, said: "We have had to buy a new car seat to fit on the plane and they know we might need medical help.

"But, if it works, she will have to learn to walk and talk and all the other things, and if she can get to 75 or 80 per cent of what she should be, that will be a hell of an improvement from where she is now, but it is going to take a long time.

"Our view is that if it takes x number of years, so what. No one is going to mind that she didn't learn how to walk until she was five, just as long as she does it eventually.

"If it doesn't work, then we need to look at the options to make her life, and our's, as comfortable as possible."

The Carters are expected to return in about ten days