Dad’s push to repay charity
Liv’s wish comes true
MAPLE the cavoodle is more than a pet, she’s Alivia Bell’s best friend and chief therapist.
The Geelong pair have been almost inseparable since the Make A Wish Foundation gave Maple to Alivia two years ago.
“Liv can’t get out and do the things most kids can do, but Maple has been such a great companion for her,” Alivia’s dad, Mike Bell, said.
“Liv has always responded well to animals. Her condition means she has complex needs, and she does have seizures and mood changes, but the dog really comforts her.
“She helps her refocus and calm down when she can’t control her moods … she’s been the most wonderful wish.”
Alivia, 16, was born with the rare genetic condition Rett syndrome.
Her mum, Fiona, a midwife and maternal child health nurse, made the diagnosis when Alivia was two.
“She could see that there were some odd things going on with her development … she (Alivia) started to regress rather than progress,” Mr Bell said.
Alivia uses a wheelchair, and communicates with a sophisticated computer tablet that reads her eye movements.
When the Make A Wish Foundation offered its help, she delivered her message with crystal clarity.
“She told us very clearly that an animal was something she wanted,” Mr Bell said.
Now the grateful father is giving back to the charity.
From March 16-20, Mr Bell, 53, will ride a 700km, five-day bike tour from Albury to Melbourne, via Bendigo, Ballarat, Queenscliff and the Mornington Peninsula.
A regular cyclist, he has been training and raising money for four months for the Bays’ Wish fundraising ride, hoping he can help make more dreams come true for needy kids.
“It’s easy to take it for granted that charities and organisations like Make A Wish will just be there, but I decided I needed to do more to support them and repay what they have done for Alivia,” he said.
“I enjoy cycling, so it’s a win-win. I get to raise some money, do something charitable and I also get to have a ride.
“As long as I can keep my niggling injuries in check it should be a great experience.”
The Bays’ Wish ride for Make A Wish leaves Albury on March 16, comes through Geelong and stops in Queenscliff on March 19, and ends in Melbourne the following day.