Gemma

8 year old Gemma started having seizures when she was 5 yrs old. After a number of admissions, she was diagnosed with Rasmussens Encephalitis in Nov 2006.

Gemma underwent a cerebral hemispherectomy, they removed the left side of her brain. Gemma has had no seizures since and is feeling great.  She now visits the Hospital to have physiotherapy & occupational therapy as she has been left with a weak right leg & arm from the surgery.

While at the Hospital and when she was feeling better, Gemma liked the Hospital school. She loves the physiotherapist & all the nurses, play therapy was fun.

Gemma enjoys playing with her new puppy Max. She loves sleep overs at her nanna's house, colouring in & craft activities. Her favourite things about school are doing puzzles, going to computer lab & playing with her friends.

She has one sister Kristen 4, who is her favourite person because she helped her when she had the 'wobbles'. Today Gemma's family like to go out anywhere and everywhere as she no longer has the 'wobbles'. Granted one wish, it would be a special bike that she could ride with her family.

If Gemma could change one situation in the world it would be the drought situation in our country. As a Hospital Hero she wants to help the Hospital who helped her.

To the Woolies team she says 'Thank You for supporting the Hospital with specialized equipment, without it I may not be here to tell my story.'

To the Hospital staff she says thank you, you were wonderful to my family, I have been given my life back due to the surgery.

Gemma's parents say; 'We really didn't know how the surgery was going to affect Gemma in the long term. We were told she may never speak again, but while she was in ICU she asked the nurses to put a blanket on her, they were absolutely thrilled. Gemma has made the most amazing recovery & the spark is back in her eyes. She is back at school and getting on with everyday life. Gemma was right handed before surgery, but now does everything left handed.'

The family says we just can't thank everyone at the Hospital enough for giving us our daughter back.