Bucket of bliss

By Bridget Brady
ROMY Parks-Earl had been counting down the days until she could stand under the tipping bucket at Casey RACE – and she loved it.
But her mother, Danni, said she never thought it would be possible for her daughter to participate in swimming activities with her classmates.
Romy, 6, has Dravet syndrome, which Mrs Parks-Earl said was the worst form of childhood epilepsy. Romy has regular seizures that can be life-threatening.
And when Mrs Parks-Earl heard Romy’s school, St Agatha’s Primary School, would be participating in a swimming program at Casey RACE for two weeks, her immediate reaction was “no way”.
But Mrs Parks-Earl, of Devon Meadows, visited Casey RACE and spoke to staff members who said they would be happy to accommodate Romy’s needs during the program.
With the help of Mrs Parks-Earl, staff developed a care plan for the grade prep student.
Casey RACE aquatics director Janelle Falkingham said one staff member was on ‘Romy watch’ at all times.
“They could have just said ‘no, it’s too hard’. But not once did they make us feel like that,” Mrs Parks-Earl said.
“They were so accommodating.”
Previously, Mrs Parks-Earl had to keep Romy at home when she was invited to friends’ parties and sleepovers.
“She can’t ever be left alone. This is probably one of the first real things she has been able to join the kids and do.”
And the moment Romy had been waiting for arrived on Friday, when the students were able to stand under the tipping bucket at Casey RACE during a fun-day on their final day of the two-week program.
Romy had eagerly awaited the occasion and crossed off the days on the calendar leading up to the event.
“The tipping bucket is all she wanted.”
Mrs Parks-Earl said her daughter’s school and Casey RACE had taken a lot of her anxiety away about Romy’s safety.
“It’s part of being with a group that she has never had before.”
But Mrs Parks-Earl saidthe decision she and her husband, Scott, made to allow Romy to participate was not an easy one.
“People have to be really aware that epilepsy and water just don’t go. This was a major decision on our behalf.
“I want her to be part of the most normal environment she can be. There is no point in stressing about tomorrow, let’s just live for today.”