Research

article image

Meet Caitlin

CaitlinSmiley little Caitlin has been visiting the Royal Children's Hospital since she was just three years old.

Caitlin was born with cerebral palsy - the most common, permanent disability affecting kids in Australia. Sadly, a child is born with cerebral palsy every 18 hours in this country.

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain, which usually happens before birth.
Kids with cerebral palsy experience various problems, including difficulties with muscle control, balance and coordination, speech difficulties, learning problems, spasticity and seizures.

Caitlin has problems with balance, coordination and muscle control. She has to wear special boots to help her walk, but spends most of her time in a wheel chair.

There is no test to detect if a baby will be born with cerebral palsy, and sadly there's no cure yet.

Caitlin has spent a lot of time at the Royal Children's Hospital. The ongoing procedures and daily therapy she has to endure can be very painful and tiring. But this has never stopped Caitlin from being her cheery little self, and from making the most of the fun times at hospital.

Whenever the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation puts on a special event for the kids, hosts a celebrity visitor, or invites kids from the wards to go on a special outing, you can be sure that Caitlin will be there with a great big smile for all to see.

Caitlin is well known for her love of animals. She especially enjoys pet therapy, and any chance to come face to face with a furry creature.


“Hi, my name is Caitlin and I am seven years old. I am in hospital because I had an operation on my back. The best thing about being in hospital is talking to the nurses. I like hospital because the nurses are my friends. The worst thing about hospital is when I had to have a needle because it hurt. My favourite thing to do is drawing.”
 

promo

Meet Jack

To see Jack playing with his younger brother Luke, you’d never imagine he has a chronic, life-threatening disease.

Read more