By Victoria Stone-Meadows
A family from Cranbourne East are hosting a family fun day to raise much- needed funds for their daughter to access important physical therapy.
Emily’s Strive for Life family fun day will be held on Sunday 25 June, and will include live music, a silent auction, activities and heaps more.
Emily Elenitsas was diagnosed with microcephaly when she was just six months old, and as a result, her development has been delayed and she cannot perform everyday tasks without assistance.
Microcephaly is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often results in a smaller-than-usual head and brain causing intellectual disability and neurological issues.
In Emily’s case, now at four years old, she cannot walk without a walking frame, speak at a level expected of children of her age or perform tasks such as taking herself to the toilet.
Emily’s mother Tanya DeWeldon said caring for Emily was a 24 hour, seven day a week job and has had a significant impact on the family.
“I have had to give up my full-time job and become a full-time carer for Emily,” she said.
“We have got three other kids and they have had to do more than the average child to help out; for example our oldest daughter does a lot more around the house because Emily needs 24/7 assistance from me.”
To help take some of the pressures off the other members of the family, Ms DeWeldon and her husband Daniel Elenitsas have decided to fund-raise so Emily can access life-changing therapy.
The family are hopeful they can raise enough money to have Emily enrolled in a TheraSuit program with Bright Start Therapy.
The therapy will enable Emily to strengthen muscles and neurological pathways to help achieve simple tasks such as walking unassisted.
“The TheraSuit therapy is very expensive, but it’s something Emily desperately needs,” Ms DeWeldon said.
“It will help her get her to walk independently, but it costs $2000 a week and she has to attend five days a week for three hours a day.”
Ms DeWeldon said while the therapy was outside of the family’s means right now, she and her husband wanted to do everything they could to assist Emily to develop as best she could.
“We just don’t know how good or bad she is going to get because it is such a rare condition,” she said.
“But if Emily can get to a point where she can take herself to the toilet, things will get easier for everyone.”
Kicking off at 10.30am at the Cranbourne Public Hall, the day will have all things fun for kids and adults such as cosplayers of Optimus Prime and Iron Man as well as a petting zoo and pony rides.
Raffle prizes have been donated from local businesses including a $500 voucher from Choice Flooring and $1000 worth of tyres from Nitto and Bob Jane T-Mart.
Ms DeWeldon said she had been overwhelmed with support from local businesses and groups who had offered their time and support for the family fun day.
All are welcome to attend the day, but those that cannot attend but want to help out can visit www.emilysstriveforlife.com to donate.
