Little 16 month-old Chloe Gardner is clearly adored by her dotting parents, Sophie and Ben. Her infectious smile beams when she first notices her dad and Chloe looks to her mum for reassurance when she meets the Bendigo Health staff tasked with raising funds to build an accessible therapy play space that she and other children like her with cerebral palsy will benefit from first hand.
She is far more comfortable with her Occupational Therapist, Emma who provides rehabilitation at Bendigo Health through the Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service (VPRS).
At just 9 months old Sophie and Ben noticed that unlike other toddlers her age, gorgeous Chloe was not using her upper and lower right limbs and she rolled only to one side.
An initial diagnosis given locally from a specialist doctor from the Royal Children's Hospital was followed with a swift connection to local therapists through VPRS.
In the 7 months since Chloe’s rehabilitation has commenced, Sophie says they have noticed a huge difference, "Chloe is now sitting and just begun four-point crawling and high kneeling. She is into everything, including all the cupboards in our 1950's kitchen!"
Chloe will continue therapy for many years to come, having access to inclusive play space as part of the Clinical Services Campus at Bendigo Health will allow her therapists to provides sessions, that are engaging and fun for Chloe as she grows.
You can help by donating to support children like Chloe.
More than 100 children and their families are treated by Bendigo Health’s rehabilitation services at any one time. Like 6 year-old Amelia Pinchbeck, two-thirds of these children have cerebral palsy – a permanent condition with no known cure.
Amelia has attended regular rehabilitation sessions at Bendigo Health the majority of her life and her family are strong advocates for the benefits she has received, often agreeing to share their story.
Amelia was featured in the 2020 Bendigo Health Christmas Appeal, then a bubbly four year old undergoing a range of intensive treatments to improve her gross and fine motor skillls, which are often impacted by cerebral palsy.
We are inspired to see Amelia is fiercely independent and loves playing with and chasing her friends and older brother. Like other Prep aged children, friendships and play are essential to Amelia’s physical, social and emotional well-being. Play is so important to the healthy development of children that the United Nations consider it a basic right for every child.
We need your help to support the development of kids just like Amelia, by making a tax deductible donation or gifting an e-card to a loved one.
