Battler Braxton needs our help
LITTLE Braxton Rayner is an adventurous, cheeky toddler with hardly a care in the world – except for one very frightening fact.
He has an inoperable, rare brain tumour.
Braxton’s parents Kirsten Kay and Clinton Rayner, and their families, are racing against time to get their only child specialist medical treatment.
It is a heartbreaking situation facing the young parents.
“It’s so difficult for us because, you ask anyone, if you looked at him, it seems nothing is wrong with him,” Kirsten said.
“He’s always happy, always cheeky. He never wants to sit down. He is always on the go.
“He’s a healthy boy except ... well ... for the obvious.”
Two-year-old Braxton has undergone several surgeries, battled meningitis and was rushed to Brisbane last month after suffering a seizure.
It was then that Kirsten and Clinton were told the tumour had started growing.
Despite the trauma of the past 11 months, Kirsten said Braxton had shown courage and resolve beyond his years.
“He has inspired me – he has made me a stronger person because he’s been so strong,” she said.
“He’s been through a lot more than me, but is such a brave boy. “He just blows me away.” Braxton requires expert medical treatment that may only be available in Melbourne or even overseas.
Doctors cannot operate or perform a biopsy on the tumour because it is growing at the top of his spinal cord.
“If they do a biopsy, Braxton has a high chance of losing his sight or movement because of where they need to enter,” Kirsten said.
“But to treat him with the right chemotherapy, they need to do a biopsy to work out what kind of tumour they’re dealing with.”
He has inspired me – he has made me a stronger person because he’s been so strong.
– mum Kirsten Kay
It is this uncertainty that is adding to the pain felt by Kirsten and Clinton.
“We are researching and asking whoever we can for help,” Kirsten said.
“We need to find a treatment that will kill the tumour.
“Life is unfair, but we can’t keep thinking that, we need to think of Brax and what’s best for him”
The family has established the Braxton Fight Foundation to raise money for the two-year-old’s treatment.
Funds will also be raised during the Smithy Brings the Big Fights 8 event in Toowoomba on October 31.
For more details visit the Braxton’s Fight Facebook page.