WINNING TEAM
WITH THE SUPPORT OF HIS MUM AND TWO BROTHERS, ZANDER’S LOVE OF LIFE IS AN UNDENIABLE STRENGTH IN THE FACE OF CHRONIC ILLNESS
From the remote town of Kojonop in WA, it’s a three-hour drive for Kirstie Chesson and her youngest son, Zander, to get to his hospital appointments. Yet the trip has become an enjoyable one now they’ve discovered Ronald McDonald House.
FAMILY MATTERS
Zander had a rocky start to life. He was born prematurely and diagnosed with immature lung disease. Zander then experienced regular bouts of bronchiolitis before his diagnosis was upgraded to include severe, chronic asthma. “He kept getting chest infections and had to go to the hospital all the time because his oxygen stats would start dropping,” tells his mum, Kirstie. Now a happy-go-lucky nine-year-old,
Zander’s enthusiasm for life means he wants to participate in sports and activities, but still suffers ongoing bouts of respiratory issues that have meant multiple readmissions to hospital. In these instances, Zander and his mum travel the three hours to hospital. Evenings and mornings are happily spent at Ronald McDonald House in Perth, where they’ve stayed 63 nights across 19 different admissions. “As soon as you walk in, the staff make you feel like part of a family,” says Kirstie. It’s this community spirit that has helped her family through some tough times. “I’m a single parent to three boys and some days are so hard, but I’m their voice and I have to fight for them,” she explains. “There are scary moments,
but this is the ride we’ve been given, so we ride it.” It’s a consensus shared by the entire family, including Jayman, 16, and Zaide, 12. “Before Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), the boys hated that I had to go to Perth all the time, but now we look forward to going together,” she says. For Zander, the best moments of his stays include cuddle time with Gus, the house dog. “He is beautiful,” says Kirstie. “Zander adores Gus and he’s definitely the highlight.”
ZEST FOR LIFE
Zander’s passion for life even extends to his schoolwork, taking part in the Ronald McDonald Learning Program, which provides tutoring via Skype, as well as the Work of Heart Education Program. “He loves the learning program and he adores his teacher,” says Kirstie. While Zander will always need to manage his chronic respiratory issues, Kirstie believes his positive outlook will continue to see him through even the toughest times. As for Ronald McDonald House staff, Kirstie believes their support has made a world of difference to her family. “It doesn’t matter who you are – they do everything they can to make you feel as comfortable and happy as possible,” she adds. “They truly are amazing.”