From cancer to cartwheels.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
From cancer to cartwheels.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
How Nora is finding strength through Move to Improve.
Following her regular afternoon nap, 8-month-old baby Nora woke up paralysed from the waist down. After a whirlwind of tests, she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma – a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that attacks the nerve tissue.
Nora’s mum, Naomi said: “It was a huge shock. She was a healthy, happy baby. Her motor skills were advanced, and we thought she was going to start walking soon.”
The tumour crushed Nora’s spinal cord, leaving her paralysed from the neck down. Doctors gave the family just 24 hours to relieve the pressure on her spine, or Nora would not survive.
For the next eight months, she endured intense chemotherapy that would save her life. But once the treatment was over, Nora had to relearn everything: rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking.
Nora has now been in remission for more than eight years. She’s thriving, but some lasting effects of her cancer treatments remain. During a recent check-up at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH), doctors noticed her cholesterol levels had slowly been rising, likely due to the impact of the chemotherapy on her liver function.
To help Nora regain control of her health, PCH clinicians recommended she sign up for Move to Improve – a unique research initiative designed to help WA kids with long-term health conditions to re-engage in physical activity as part of their routine clinical care.
Led by PCH researchers, Move to Improve offers an innovative approach to improving both the physical and mental health of kids with a range of long-term health conditions, including type 1 diabetes, cancer, burn injuries, and cerebral palsy. The Australian-first project is funded by Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (PCHF) and the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, with support from Principal Partner Mineral Resources via the Channel 7 Telethon Trust.
Nora kicked off her Move to Improve journey by setting her personal movement goals, which included kicking an AFL footy straight, improving her flexibility to help with her dance, building strength so that she can do cartwheels and handstands with her friends, and to walk confidently without running into walls as often.
To achieve these goals, Nora has received tailored support during an eight-week program led by PCH Senior Exercise Physiologist Derry O’Meara, with sessions held at PCH’s gym and at Nora’s local park.
Naomi said: “Move to Improve is positive, fun, and interactive. Nora’s been having a great time, she loves it. After just six weeks, she’s already feeling stronger and happier, she’s kicking the footy better and her flexibility has improved.
“Families that have gone through things like this, need as much support as they can get. There are physical changes, there are mental changes. It really is a life-changing diagnosis. If you can set a child up with healthy lifestyle habits now, then you’re going to help them for the rest of their life.”
Nora said: “When I first started Move to Improve, I was nervous but excited. Now I can finally kick a football straight, and I’m not bashing into as many walls. It’s really helping me find my balance.”
One in five Aussie kids live with a long-term health condition that can prevent them from safely and confidently engaging in physical activity. Move to Improve is especially valuable for kids like Nora, who have spent a significant amount of time in hospital during critical developmental stages and face challenges keeping up with their peers.
Derry O’Meara, PCH Senior Exercise Physiologist, explains: “Maintaining your physical activity levels after cancer treatment is beneficial for improving strength, maintaining bone density, and mitigating some of the effects that come with harsh treatments.
“By getting kids with long-term health conditions moving out in the community, we’re not only helping their physical and mental recovery, but also building their confidence and independence.”
This season of giving, you can help more kids like Nora by donating here to fund innovative cancer programs, cutting-edge technology, world-class oncology experts, and life-saving research.
Move to Improve is also supported by Amazon Australia, Port to Pub, Globe BD, Perth Firefighters Calendar and the WA community. The program is possible thanks to researchers from the University of WA and The Kids Research Institute Australia.
Want to get involved? The Move to Improve research team is enrolling kids and teens aged 5 to 17 living with type 1 diabetes, cancer, post-burn injuries, and cerebral palsy that currently attend PCH. For more information contact: MoveToImprove@health.wa.gov.au
