By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
ALL Jesse Fahey could think about while he was in hospital with an aggressive tumour in his leg was driving.
Now with a car of his own that has been modified for his prosthetic leg the 17- year-old from Blind Bight is living his day dream.
“I like just getting out there and driving – it was all I wanted to do when I was in hospital and I’d be on Carsales looking all the time,” he said.
After eight months of chemotherapy, a leg amputation and getting used to his new prosthetic leg, Jesse will be back at Kooweerup Secondary College next week.
Jesse will have to repeat Year 11 but won’t be left behind when it comes to sitting his license, thanks to the hundreds of people who donated to Jesse and the Fahey family throughout the cancer treatment.
“I couldn’t believe it; I never ever thought that I would get so much support,” Jesse said of his generous community.
“I wouldn’t have a car this soon if not for the money raised – I would have had to work a fair bit to save up after getting the all clear,” he said.
Jesse was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on the Australia Day weekend and his mum Linda said 10 months on, her boy is back to normal.
“Getting the ‘all clear’ was great words to hear,” Linda said.
“It took Jesse about seven weeks to get used to the prosthetic leg but he took to it very well and I feel great, I feel like our lives are back to normal and it’s brought us a lot closer as a family.
“You appreciate life and your family members a lot more when someone close to you goes through something like this.”
Now with a bathroom to renovate to accommodate Jesse’s needs Linda’s employer Coles Cranbourne raised more than $4000 to help with the refurbishment.
“Jesse can’t stand up in the shower so Coles held a trivia night and we are so blown away with all the messages of support, hugs, words and help,” she said.
Since he bought his XR6 Ford Falcon in mid-September Jesse has clocked up 40 hours of driving.
“Mum and dad don’t drive anymore it’s always me,” he said.
