make a difference
The Bendigo Health Christmas Appeal is hoping to fund a mini-gym to help young patients in their rehabilitation. Photography by Kate Monotti While decorations are being hung and family gatherings planned, a dedicated team of Bendigo Health staff are working tirelessly this festive season to raise funds that will put smiles on the faces of the youngest patients and their families. The Bendigo Health Foundation recently launched its annual Christmas Appeal, with this year’s aim to fit out a new paediatric hydrotherapy pool and buy child-sized gym equipment.
Paediatric rehabilitation is designed to improve the abilities of children and young people following major injury, illness or medical procedures and treatment. Like some medical interventions, the necessary equipment is not always available nearby. As Bendigo Health Foundation manager Rachel Mason says, purchasing equipment specifically tailored for young people’s rehabilitation will help keep children closer to home and their loved ones.
When we talk about rehabilitation, we often picture sports stars recovering from injury or adults overcoming trauma sustained through unfortunate accidents. This year’s fundraising goal is to help pint-sized patients who are quietly fighting enormous physical battles. More than 100 children are treated by Bendigo Health’s rehabilitation services at any one time and two-thirds of the children receiving rehabilitation have cerebral palsy, a permanent condition with no known cure.
“Bendigo Health’s annual Christmas Appeal this year aims to expand support for the redevelopment of the paediatric rehabilitation outpatient clinics, including a specific paediatric fitout of the new hydrotherapy pool and the purchase of purpose-built, child-sized gym equipment, to create a mini-gym,” Rachel says. Teale Hammond is one of the young patients who will directly benefit from the purchase. The 12-year-old’s rehabilitation started following seven months of cancer treatment.
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