Surgery is scheduled

By Lachlan Ellis

A fundraiser for a six-year-old with severe scoliosis had broken its $10,000 target, allowing her family to get her much-needed surgery without worrying about accommodation and out of pocket expenses.

Emeliah Flenley from Darley also has dwarfism, autism, and developmental delay, on top of the curvature of her spine which has her living in pain – but she’s booked in for surgery that will help correct her spine, next week.

Her family will be staying in Ronald McDonald House for at least three months, but because they live within 100 kilometres of the Royal Children’s Hospital where the surgery will be performed, they don’t qualify for free accommodation.

Ballan’s Crossroads Trading, where Emeliah’s grandfather Wally works, decided to help out, starting with donation tins on the counter, then launching an online donation page.

Less than three months later, the community has contributed over $12,000, from a goal of $10,000.

Emeliah’s mum, Tjanna Roberts, said the level of support from the Moorabool community had been overwhelming.

“Our family are so touched and grateful for all of the support we have been receiving. The amount of people who have helped us is incredible. The money raised means that we no longer have to stress about anything other than focusing on Emeliah’s surgeries and recoveries,” Ms Roberts told the Moorabool News.

“Emeliah is trying her best to battle through the pain. She made a list of things she wanted to do before surgery, things she might not be able to do again once she has the growth rods in. She knew that some of these things might cause her pain, but she wanted to experience having a ride on a horse while it’s walking. So she did thanks to Asha and Bernie from Crossroads Trading. They also let her pat a baby cow which she loved.

“The community support has been absolutely incredible. Not only all of the money raised, which has taken a lot of pressure off of us and given us relief, but also the kind words of support and well wishes. It’s honestly made us all feel proud to live in such a tight knit community. So many amazing people have stepped up and helped and we couldn’t be any more grateful, we appreciate everyone’s help so much.”

Ms Roberts also thanked Sonya, Sam and their daughters who run The Food Hut at Crossroads on Thursdays and Fridays and have been donating a portion of their earnings, and the Black Hill Hotel, who donated a voucher for a meal before Emeliah’s surgery.

Emeliah will undergo halo gravity traction surgery, then growth rod surgery, beginning on 13 September.

Ms Roberts will need to stay with Emeliah and her two brothers, who also have special needs, in Melbourne for several months.