A DISABLED young girl has returned home with her mobility much improved after pioneering medical treatment in Slovakia.

Four-year-old Ava Roberts, whose development has been stunted by multiple seizures for much of her life, was able to travel to the Adeli Medical Centre in Piestany after her family raised £4,000 to cover the costs.

While there, she underwent two weeks of various treatments including massage and oxygen and speech therapy.

It was Ava’s second course of treatment in Slovakia, having earlier undergone similar therapy in Florida, USA, and she can now roll and move around the floor.

Mum Judith Roberts said: “She’s like a jack-in-the-box. She’s much more mobile than she was. The muscles in her legs are much stronger.

“She’s a lot more alert and much stronger, and her personality is much stronger.”

Mrs Roberts and her husband Mark, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, still hope their daughter might eventually talk and sit unaided. Mrs Roberts said Ava had already made sounds like “mama”.

They are already working to raise £4,000 for a return trip to Slovakia in March. A fundraising ball will be held in Seaham in February.

Although the recent trip went well for Ava, it was less successful for her mum. Their flights were cancelled, the new flights were delayed and then their bags were lost, meaning emergency medical supplies had to be rushed out.

Once in Slovakia, Mrs Roberts then needed emergency dental surgery.

However, it was still more successful than a trip in April, when Ava suffered serious seizures on the first day of treatment and had to be brought back to the UK. She then spent three days in intensive care at the University Hospital of North Durham.

Further, a trip planned for August had to be cancelled.

However, a new drug has reduced Ava’s seizures by around 90 per cent and so all concerned are hopeful her condition will improve.

For more information on Ava’s journey, visit facebook.com/foravasintensivetherapyhope2013