LEARNING TO BREATHE EASY
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 Kojonup in Western Australia, it takes three hours for Kirstie Chesson to drive her youngest son, Zander, to hospital for his appointments. Yet the trip has become an enjoyable one, thanks to the second home they’ve discovered at Ronald McDonald House. Zander was born prematurely and diagnosed with immature lung disease.“He was immediately placed on a ventilator and eventually a CPAP machine,” explains Kirstie.
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Having already endured a rocky start to life, 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” says Kirstie. Now a happygo-lucky 9-year-old with the world at his feet, Zander’s enthusiasm for life means he wants to participate in sports and activities, but still suffers ongoing bouts of respiratory issues.“His oxygen levels drop at times and we’ve had multiple admissions to hospital,” says Kirstie. In these instances, Zander and his mum travel three hours to the respiratory clinic in hospital. Evenings and mornings are then happily whiled away at Ronald McDonald House in Perth, where they’ve spent 63 nights across 19 stays.“As soon as you walk through those doors it’s amazing, and 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 I have days where it feels too hard, but I’m their voice and I have to fight for them,” she says.“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 RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities), the boys struggled and they hated that I had to go to Perth all the time, but now we look forward to going together, which is so important, because it’s just us four,” she says. For Zander, the best moments of his stays include cuddle time with Gus, the house dog.“He’s the Director of Hugs and Pats and he is beautiful,” Kirstie says. “Zander adores Gus and he’s definitely the biggest highlight.”
ZANDER’S 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, and the Work of Heart Education Program.“He loves the learning program and he adores his teacher,” says Kirstie.“He gets mad at me if we don’t make it from the hospital in time for school.” 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.“He has bad days like everyone, but he’s such a positive little boy,” she says. As for the staff at Ronald McDonald House, Kirstie says their support has made a world of difference. “It doesn’t matter who you are, they do everything they can to make you feel as comfortable and happy as possible. They truly are amazing,” she says.