THE Ballarat community has been contributing to the Royal Children\u2019s Hospital\u2019s Good Friday Appeal since 1963, and much of its support goes directly back to locals like Isabella Edwards.<\/p>\n
At eleven months old, Isabella was diagnosed by RCH with lumber discitis and spinal osteomyelitis, after what her mother Manon said was an \u201cunstoppable\u201d walking streak.<\/p>\n
\u201cBella was a really early walker at nine months old, she was just determined. Then about two months later she just stopped walking and she started having these awful pain episodes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe took her to a few different places and there just didn\u2019t seem to be much concern, so we finally went to the Royal Children\u2019s and they were amazing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey took blood tests right away, they put her onto an MRI, onto neurologists. They just left nothing guessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were able to reach the diagnosis and get treatment, and she actually started walking again when we were watching the Good Friday Appeal last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Isabella stayed at the hospital for a week, during which Manon said the staff went \u201cabove and beyond\u201d in supporting the family, putting them up at the Ronald McDonald House during her last night.<\/p>\n
Manon has followed the appeal for years, but this year she has organised a raffle and morning tea at her workplace in order to give back to the hospital.<\/p>\n
With an even greater appreciation for RCH, Manon she\u2019ll be doing her best to contribute to the appeal year after year.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really see where the funds are going with all the knowledgeable doctors and the accommodation they offer,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it\u2019s your kid and you see these doctors and nurses caring for them like they\u2019re their own, it\u2019s just beautiful.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou remember these people forever, like I\u2019ll remember each and every one of them, and tell Bella about it when she\u2019s older.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Ballarat community has been contributing to the Royal Children\u2019s Hospital\u2019s Good Friday Appeal since 1963, and much of its support goes directly back to locals like Isabella Edwards. At eleven months old, Isabella was diagnosed by RCH with lumber discitis and spinal osteomyelitis, after what her mother Manon said was an \u201cunstoppable\u201d walking streak. […]<\/p>\n