Meet Connor.

Connor is a 13 year old boy who is vibrant, happy, smart and super cool. He also has a debilitating condition, Cerebral Palsy , along with Polymicrogeria, Distonia, Scoliosis and Epilepsy.  Despite this, Connor is a joy to every one he meets and is a loved member of his large, blended family. His Mum is Belinda, Step Dad Craig and sisters Caitlyn, Shayna and Mackenzie. He has a step sister Brianna, whose fiancé is Phillip and they're parents to Mia (and new baby on the way). He also has a step brother, Matthew.
 
Connor has had several operations on his legs but over the last few years, the scoliosis in his spine had deteriorated so much that his spine measured 133 degrees, compared to only 76 degrees six months prior. Connor's stomach was being crushed and he was unable to feed properly, so he had lost an enormous amount of weight, only weighing 22 kgs in early 2016. 

Finally, it was decided by Connor's medical team at the Royal Children's Hospital that without surgery, Connor would not survive. So in April, this year Connor underwent life saving surgery, that lasted 11 and a half hours.  They had to pin many rods and screws to Connor's spine and after the surgery Connor gained 10cms and his spine was back to 66 degrees.  It was a painful and arduous ordeal, but thanks to the amazing team at RCH, prayers from literally all over the world and Connor's fighting spirit and will to survive, he did better than anyone expected.

It took four weeks in hospital, lots of physiotheraphy, many visits from friends and family, many hours watching the video, Cars and visits from special friends like players from the Carlton Football Club, and Tom Williams and Sally Obermeader from The Daily Edition on Channel 7. 

However, now Connor has many restrictions - he is unable to be lifted manually, instead has to be lifted by a hoist to put him to bed and in and out of his wheelchair.  He is only able to sit  at a 70 degree angle, due to the fusion of his spine. 

Due to his growth from the operation, Connor has outgrown his wheelchair and car seat.  He is unable to stay at home and has to spend most of the time in respite because he cannot stay in his current wheelchair (which has been crudely modified) for long periods of time and cannot be transported in and out of the family car because he cannot be manually lifted, and also the car seat is no longer safe, comfortable or suitable.

For Connor to come home, he needs a new wheel chair, modifications to the family car such as a hydraulic ramp and a specially modified car seat that is comfortable for Connor's spine.  All funds raised will go towards life improvement for Connor.

Connor misses his family and his family miss him and want him home as soon as possible.  Please help this family be complete again.  His elder sister says it perfectly in a poem she wrote for Connor when he was in hospital:

I LOVE MY BROTHER CONNOR 

He is simply amazing and I just couldn't 
imagine my life without him.
I just love him a lot.
You'll always be my brother,
You're my only brother.
You're special to me.
I don't want to lose you.
I miss you wherever you are,
I don't care that you're disabled.
I still love you.
Fight for it.
Love from your little, but big sister, Caitlyn xxx

Written on behalf of Belinda and Craig Young and family.