Christian had a traumatic birth and the complications which followed left him with cerebral palsy.

As a result, he has high muscle tone which means he needs to stretch regularly. This is complicated by his haemophilia, as the stretching needs to be performed with caution to avoid bleeding. This amazing little boy, who some thought may not walk or talk, does dance classes to incorporate his stretching exercises, and also sings.

Christian attends school and manages well although most activities are still a challenge for him, and modifications have had to be made to his desk, chair, pencils and scissors.

“It is amazing to see Christian in action today though as he doesn’t let his cerebral palsy or haemophilia stop him participating in his own way,” his mum Katrina said.

"He has a big heart and will always give other children a helping hand when they need it."

Christian and his family make regular visits to the RCH from their home in Bundaberg. A team of specialists look after Christian and his complex needs. Last year the Foundation purchased the first MRI compatible incubator in the Southern Hemisphere, to support our researchers in studying how brain injuries like Christian’s occur, and how they evolve in children with cerebral palsy.

Scientific Director and Associate Professor Roslyn Boyd is passionate about making a difference for these children and is excited to be leading the Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre (QCPRRC) at the Royal Children’s Hospital. You can read about her successes with cerebral palsy.

Thanks to the generosity of caring people like you, this research and other studies underway hope to find better treatments for children with cerebral palsy, and to provide equipment and hospital services for families like Christian’s at the Royal Children’s Hospital and local hospitals in their area.