Hannah’s journey
A donor from the USA has given a Warragul teenager renewed hope of a future playing sport and living pain free.
Resilience is the best description of 17-yearold Hannah Hobbs who has undergone 10 leg operations in four years.
Despite numerous setbacks to a chronic knee condition, Hannah has cheered on teammates from the sidelines and stepped into coaching roles whilst dreaming of resuming netball, basketball, swimming and horse riding with her friends.
Hannah was just 10 when she first saw a specialist after suffering knee pain. The condition worsened and Hannah, at 14-years-old, underwent surgery on both knees and realignment surgery on both legs.
The last four years have been filled with setbacks and further surgeries.
Exhausting all medical possibilities in Australia, Hannah’s mother Chris turned to the USA and a revolutionary bone transplant operation.
However, with Australia not having the facilities to collect, store and process the required bone graft, Chris embarked on an international fight for approval.
After seven months, and on the morning of Chris’ birthday, they learned a donor had been identified. The allograft surgery on her left knee took place in September.
“We shared very mixed emotions that morning; excitement and relief, yet an understanding of what this incredible gift from an unknown family just like ours on the other side of the world actually signifies,” recalled Chris.
Now Chris is hopeful the generosity of this USA family will inspire others in Australia to consider organ and tissue donation.
“The difference donors make in people’s lives is absolutely incredible,” said Chris. “We are but one family who has been given hope from a
beautiful donor family. We will never forget them and will be always grateful for their precious gift to us.”
Having expressed a hope to meet the donor’s family, Chris and Hannah gained this opportunity just last month.
While it was a confronting experience, Hannah said they were lovely people and the skype call gave her a great opportunity to thank them.
Hannah also leant the donor, aged in his early 20s, had helped 30 people via organ and tissue transplants.
Despite discussion for a similar transplant in the right leg being shelved until the left knee operation could be deemed a success, Hannah had a setback in the recent school holidays.
The surgery cannot wait, and she has been placed on a waitlist.
“To see her go through what she’s been through and come out so resilient. Overall, I’m just proud that Hannah hasn’t given up,” said Chris on Hannah’s journey so far.
“We are hopeful this will be the thing that she needs. It will be an amazing day when she can do sport again.”
Nearing the end of year 12, Hannah is fittingly pursuing a career in nursing.
She will soon travel to Papua New Guinea to volunteer on a YWAM Medical Shop to bring medical care to remote villages.
“It’s a good thing to do at the end of year 12,” said Hannah.