Bailey’s a bright spark!
Bailey was born with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Merosin Deficiency. A rare and severe form of muscular dystrophy that leaves him confined to a wheel chair.
Whilst his condition has seen him endure over fifty admissions and countless respiratory infections, Bailey is proof that with courage and a positive attitude nothing can stop you from achieving your goals.
A computer whiz who loves to read, go to the beach and play electric wheelchair sports, Bailey lives life to the fullest – thanks to the support and care of a dedicated team of doctors, therapists and specialists at the Mater.
You can help to ensure that children like Bailey continue to receive the best possible care by supporting the Mater Prize Home Lottery No.224. Purchase a ticket and lend your support today!
Sean’s epic journey home
For an eleven year old boy, Sean has had quite an ordeal. After falling ill in early November Sean was taken to Atherton Hospital and then Cairns Base Hospital for treatment. When his condition deteriorated he was airlifted to the Mater Children’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit.
Diagnosed with severe sepsis resulting from an infection in his hip, Sean’s respiratory system began to shut down and he sustained significant damage to his lungs.
After a high dose of antibiotics Sean’s body was able to fight the infection and soon he was well enough to return home. However, the journey home was not easy.
Due to the fragility of his lungs Sean was unable to fly home and endured a 32 hour train trip from Brisbane to Cairns.
Whilst he still has air pockets and holes in his lungs, together with fluid in his right lung Sean is now home with his family and on the road to recovery.
Riley’s on the Road to Recovery
Little Riley suffers from Hirschsprung’s Disease – an affliction of the bowel where nerves do not work and therefore the bowel does not work.
Riley was diagnosed at 6 months old, after his mum Claire became concerned about how lethargic he was. After a series of blood tests, Riley was brought to the Mater Children’s Hospital where a biopsy confirmed Hirschsprung’s Disease.
Riley underwent 6 hours of surgery to remove the affected section of his bowel and replace it with a temporary stoma (colostomy).
About a year later, Riley underwent surgery to start the re-attachment of his bowel. This was not completely successful as the site began leaking and emergency surgery was performed to close the leak.
Soon Riley will undergo the final part of his surgery which will hopefully give the cheeky youngster a better quality of life. Help the Mater to provide exceptional care to kids like Riley by supporting the Mater Prize Home Lottery today!
Indi Anna’s Story
Indi Anna is a true Mater Little Miracle. Delivered by emergency caesarean 15 weeks premature, little Indi Anna weighed just 861g.
A fighter from the beginning, Indi spent the first 8 weeks of her life in Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Special Care Nursery. She battled against a chronic lung disorder and anaemia and endured countless blood transfusions before eventually winning her fight. Two weeks ahead of her original due date, Indi was finally well enough to go home.
Today, the bright and bubbly four year old is thriving and mum Mandi cannot speak highly enough of the staff at the Mater who cared for her in those early days. “They looked after all of us, not just Indi,” she says. “We felt totally safe with them and I had the utmost faith that she was in safe hands. We can never thank the Mater staff enough.”
Leighton’s Long Haul
Eight year old Leighton is one in a million – or rather one in 21 million. He’s the only child in Australia who suffers from a rare form of Diabetes. Leighton’s condition means he is unable to take insulin to regulate his blood sugar levels because the hormone eats away at the muscle and fat in his body.
Thankfully, Leighton no longer has to deal with painful injections to manage his diabetes. In October 2008 the Mater sponsored Leighton and his parents to fly to France for a life changing operation. The surgery was a success and means Leighton can now live life to the fullest rather than being hospitalised indefinitely.
Maddylain and Kailah’s miraculous journey
Twin girls Maddylain and Kailah, were born at the Mater Mother's Hospital in August 2007. 11 weeks premature, the girls had to battle incredible odds to survive.
Both baby girls received specialist care from the Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit with Maddylain needing blood transfusions and Kailah nearly dying of a lung condition in the first few days of life. Maddylain also developed blood poisoning which caused her to spend extra time in the Mater Mothers’.
In total Kailah spent 10 weeks at the Mater and sister Maddylain spent 11 weeks in hospital.
Whilst both girls are now thriving, mum Renae still credits the staff at Mater as instrumental in helping her babies get healthy.
"When the girls came home, my husband Josh and I were elated, we were so relieved and so lucky to have been at the Mater," she said. "The thorough care and attention we received at the Mater gave us our babies."