BRAVE Katie Jones showed readers last week how she learned to walk again with the help of her parents, doctors and a series of operations.

But while little Katie, of Hoole, who was born with developmental dysplasia of the hip leaving her fragile legs susceptible to dislocation, endured months of rehabilitation, the charity steps was working on improving her quality of life.

Steps - which campaigns for children with lower limb conditions - helped the two-year-old's parents Ian and Ali make their daughter's life more comfortable despite spending months in a half-body cast.

'We found out about steps from a friend,' said Ali. 'When she was five months old she had her legs bent high to the side of her - we couldn't fit her in the car seat.

'Steps rented us a car seat with handles that can bend open as much as you want. They also supplied a special chair/table.'

Through steps, Katie's parents found they were not alone.

'They gave us confidence, sent us newsletters and helped us to understand through other parents' experiences. I don't know what we'd have done without their help.'

Now entering their 25th year of fundraising, steps provides support for families and individuals and provides vital services such as a helpline, annual events, publications and much more.

Babies that have developmental dysplasia of the hips (DDH) have hips that are not growing properly, making them less stable and prone for the top of the thighbone to slip out of the socket. Around three babies in every 2000 have DDH and a small percentage have minor instability.