CP Week Star Profile

Name: Bianca

Age: 6

Suburb: Ellenbrook

Wants to be: A Paralympian

They say you have to crawl before you can run, which is exactly what 6 year old Bianca did at her recent school carnival to finish a heroic last. For most of us it would be enough to give up, but not this brave little girl. She is a fighter.

She wants to win. She wants to be a Paralympian and run like the wind!

Bianca and twin sister Michaela were born prematurely at 26 weeks. Bianca weighed a mere 725 grams with Michaela a little larger at 870 grams. Directly after their birth both girls had severe bleeding in the brain. It was a miracle they survived after such an early birth let alone these further complications. “It was heartbreaking,” first time mum Wendie recalls.

Michaela recovered and went home after 3 months, but Bianca had severe complications which kept her in hospital longer. This little 725gram baby girl had a blocked ventricle, bowel complications, deformities to her lower legs and cerebral palsy.

At the age of three Bianca’s lower leg abnormalities had not improved. Peter and Wendie were advised by specialists an amputation was Bianca’s best chance for mobility.

Bianca has overcome more challenges in her early life than most of us would face in a lifetime. She is lucky to be blessed with wonderful parents whose love and positive outlook is reflected in their amazing little girl. Wendie said “At times we were so anxious and didn’t know which way to turn. We were so grateful for the wonderful support, guidance and services we received from PMH and The Centre for Cerebral Palsy’s Early Intervention Team, I don’t know what we have done without them.”

After her operation Bianca was fitted with prosthetic lower limbs and hasn’t looked back since. Her limbs are government funded and ideal for walking, however are not flexible enough to allow her to run and compete in school carnivals and become the Paralympian she aspires to be.

After the school carnival Wendie was determined she would never let her daughter crawl in a race ever again and went about researching legs that would give Bianca the chance of running and realising her dreams. She discovered Cheetah Legs, ‘spring type legs’ specially designed for Paralympians and sports minded people like Bianca.

The cost of purchasing these especially designed legs is around $11,735 each, more than most young families can afford, especially as they need replacing every few years as the child grows.

However, this won’t stop Wendie, this mother is determined to get a pair for Bianca and is relying on the support of The Centre and the wider community to make it happen.