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Florence, a remarkable young girl with a complex congenital heart condition, has never allowed her medical challenges to dampen her spirits. Despite her diagnosis—which includes hypoplastic aorta, hypoplastic right ventricle, double inlet left ventricle, ventricular septal defect, transposition of the great arteries, and an aberrant right subclavian artery—Florence thrives in her pursuits. She passionately engages in tap and jazz dancing, plays the piano, and loves putting on great concerts. Her confidence and ability to excel in whatever she sets her mind to are truly inspiring for someone so young.
Connected to Telethon through the advocacy and support of HeartKids, Florence receives comprehensive care that includes cardiology, psychology, ENT, speech and occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and dietetics. This extensive support system not only helps manage her condition but also enables her to live her life to the fullest, embodying the resilience and spirit that Telethon aims to promote among all its beneficiaries.
Nate, a vibrant and witty young boy with cerebral palsy, has become a prominent spokesperson for the International Day of People with Disability. Known for his humour and fun-loving personality, Nate has attended numerous major events, showcasing the remarkable progress children achieve through the programs he participates in. His involvement in these events highlights his role as a joyful ambassador for children with disabilities.
Since 2018, Nate has been attending Healthy Strides, where he participated in the Kindy Moves program—a research study funded by Telethon7. Over the years, he has benefited significantly from various pieces of equipment generously provided by Telethon7 and the WA community, including Stride 3D and Stride ZeroG. Additionally, Nate has received support from several Telethon beneficiaries, including Healthy Strides, HeartKids, Kiind, ReboundWA, and the PCH Foundation, which have all contributed to his continued growth and development.
Seven-year-old Nazeem lives with his mum in Perth’s southern suburb of Rockingham. Nazeem's father tragically passed away just four months before his birth, leaving his mother to face the heartbreak of giving birth alone. Compounding the emotional strain, Nazeem was born not breathing, and it took 13 agonising minutes before he finally drew his first breath.
Today, Nazeem lives with cerebral palsy, which means his life is filled with hospital visits and intensive therapies. Despite these challenges, he faces each day with incredible strength, courage, and a joyful enthusiasm for life. With the support of Telethon beneficiary, Healthy Strides Foundation, Nazeem undergoes regular intensive physical therapy, which is crucial in improving his functional mobility, motor skills, and overall quality of life.
Charlee is a bubbly and outgoing young girl who loves chatting, tap and hip-hop dancing, crafting, cooking, and spending time with her friends. Before her diagnosis, she enjoyed dressing up, playing in the park with her brother and cousins, and especially jumping in puddles. Despite the challenges she has faced, Charlee's lively spirit and enthusiasm for life continue to shine.
Charlee was diagnosed with a brain tumour that blocked her spinal fluid flow, leading to surgery to insert a VP shunt and begin chemotherapy for a low-grade pilocytic astrocytoma glioma. When her tumour didn’t respond to the initial treatment, she underwent brain surgery in March 2017 to debulk the tumour, which led to a more effective treatment plan.
Although her brain tumour remains inoperable, a clinical trial known as Day101 has significantly reduced its size, allowing her to stay off treatment for two years. Charlee, has been supported by the Kids Cancer Support Group and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Read about previous Little Telethon Stars from through the years at Telethon: