Help Maddie

By Bridget Cook
THE Smythe family is calling on community support to help give their “brave little girl” the chance to lead as normal a life as possible.
Three-and-half-year-old Maddie requires 24-hour care after being diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy and global mental development delay.
Members of her family are hoping to raise money so they can buy specialised equipment to help build her muscle strength, which cost more than $10,000 – something the family can’t afford.
The Smythe family used to live in Cranbourne but were forced to move to a country town in New South Wales to get Maddie into Little Learner’s therapy, which offered more support than anywhere in Melbourne at the time.
The family is set to move back to Cranbourne in the next few months after securing a spot for Maddie at a long-term clinic closer to home.
Maddie’s two step-brothers still live in Cranbourne with their father.
Maddie was born prematurely at 32 weeks and needed resuscitation at birth and went on to suffer two cardiac arrests. She remained in hospital for three months.
She was later diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy and global mental development delay.
Maddie also suffers regularly from seizures, asthma and bouts of pneumonia and requires tube feeding through a PEG – a feeding tube that goes into the stomach directly through the abdominal wall – as she is unable to suck.
Maddie has poor head control, and is unable to sit, stand, walk, talk or laugh.
Maddie’s mother Janelle said despite having gone through so much in her short life, Maddie was such a brave little girl.
“Day-to-day life is a struggle for Maddie,” she said.
“Despite suffering seizures, asthma and regular bouts of pneumonia, she still smiles. When she does, she lights up our life.”
Ms Smythe said the long term goal was to assist Maddie to build her muscle strength to give her some independence and the chance to lead as normal a life as possible.
Their priority is a new car seat, which cost $8000, which will help her sit straight and support her head.
Maddie also needs a hydro therapy spa, which will help build muscle strength, and new AFO splints to keep her legs and feet straight because her muscles are pulling her bones the wrong way and slowing her development.
“We’ve been told that she may never walk, but we have to give her the best opportunity possible to try,” she said.
“While you can get some government help for some things she needs, it’s a lengthy waiting time, which Maddie simply doesn’t have.
“It’s between 12 and 18 months waiting list.
“She doesn’t have the time to sit around and wait for this equipment. All she can do now basically is lie on her back.”
Ms Smythe said it would be amazing if the community could help contribute to the cause.
“It would mean everything to us,” she said. “It would make life so much easier.
“It goes without saying, we love her very much and want the very best for her and we will do what ever we can to help our beautiful girl gain some independence.”
Ms Smythe’s local Westpac bank in NSW has set up the Reach for the Stars Madison bank account for people to make donations to.
The BSB number is 032834 and the account number is 185319.