Since the News printed the story about the plight of Maddie Smythe last week, the Casey community has made a number of generous donations.By Bridget Cook
THE Casey community has thrown its support behind an “amazing little girl” to help give her the best possible chance of leading a normal life.
Last week, the Cranbourne News reported on the Smythe family’s plight to afford specialised equipment for their three-and-half-year-old daughter Maddie, who requires 24-hour care after being diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy and global mental development delay.
The family called on the local community to make a donation and show their support so they could purchase specialised equipment for Maddie – which costs more than $10,000 – to help her build her muscle strength and make everyday life easier.
Their priority was a new car seat, which would help her sit straight and support her head.
Maddie also needed a hydrotherapy 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.
Since the story went to print, Maddie’s mother Janelle said the family had received about $1000 and have been given a car seat suitable for Maddie.
“We are just speechless at how fantastic the local community is,” she said.
“We would like to thank everyone for there donations and support, it means so much to us and Maddie.
“Maddie now has enough money to buy her spa, which we are ordering with the help of her therapist.
“The spa cost $1100 and will be delivered to our home in Cranbourne next month.
“We can’t wait to get her in the spa daily and help build her muscles. It’s going to be a long, hard road but it’s a start.”
The Smythe family used to live in Cranbourne but were forced to move to country New South Wales to get Maddie into Little Learners therapy, which offered more support than anywhere in Melbourne at the time.
The family is set to move back to Cranbourne soon after securing a spot for Maddie at a long-term clinic closer to home.
Maddie was born prematurely at 32 weeks, 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.
Ms Smythe said despite having gone through so much in her short life, Maddie was such a brave little girl.
“Despite suffering seizures, asthma and regular bouts of pneumonia, she still smiles. When she does, she lights up our life,” she said.
Ms Smythe said the family would continue to fund-raise over the next few months to raise money for her foot and leg splints and her new therapy program.
“The new therapy program is costly but she is already showing positive sign,” she said.
“A local company is printing T-shirts for us at a very discounted price so we can sell as a fund-raiser.
“We want to thank everyone so much for helping Maddie reach for the stars. She is one truly amazing little girl.”
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.
