Paradise Kids

My name is Rhea and I am the proud mother of my beautiful boy Mekai who was diagnosed with leukaemia 3 days after his 4th birthday. Mekai and I had both been through a lot even before the diagnosis, but together we were working through it and that seemed to be working OK.

A month or two after the diagnosis, everything got too much. We had spent a lot of time in hospital and Mekai had become extremely scared and anxious. He couldn’t be alone. He couldn’t even play in his room by himself and my once quite happy boy became extremely sad. It was heartbreaking for me to watch so I decided to get some help. I wanted to get counselling for him but I needed to find someone who was willing to come to our house because Mekai has no immune system. He couldn’t go anywhere else.

After ringing numerous organizations none of which could help us, I almost gave up. Then I got in contact with Paradise Kids. They told me about the program they had for seriously ill children. I nearly cried because it was exactly what I was looking for. Within a week we met Geoff, Mekai’s buddy, he was great and Mekai absolutely loved him which was so good to see.

Paradise Kids also offered me a counsellor. I didn’t really want one. For me, this was more about Mekai and I really felt I had things under control anyway. But after much hesitation I agreed to give if a go. A few days later I met Dina. She was fantastic – so good to talk to and I soon realized I really did need to talk to someone. Mekai and I both became very excited to see our new friends.

Since being with Paradise Kids I have watched Mekai become the bravest little boy – he walks into the hospital with confidence, he doesn’t cry there anymore, he plays in his room by himself and that scared anxious boy is almost gone and my happy bubbly boy is back again. And myself, I have become calmer within myself. I have had a lot of realizations – the biggest one of all being “It’s ok to get help”. I have Paradise Kids to thank for all of that.

Besides the amazing emotional support we got, Paradise Kids also sent us on a holiday to a beautiful resort in Kingscliff which was so good for us to forget about our hectic lives for a moment and just recently they got us in contact with Rotary Club. Just as I had spent the morning crying about how to cope financially, the Rotary Club has adopted Mekai to be the face of their fundraiser. They are not only helping us with day to day costs, they are also getting us a new car and have paid my credit card off.

I still can’t believe how lucky I have been. The support has just been amazing and has helped make this long journey that bit easier which I will be forever grateful.

Last week we were told Mekai needed an extra 6 months of intensive treatment so we are re-locating to Brisbane. Although we won’t see the people from Paradise Kids as much we won’t say goodbye. We will most definitely be keeping in touch with them.

I just want to give a huge thank you to Paradise Kids, the Illness Support Program, Geoff, Dina and Lizzi….thank you for everything; I don’t know how we would have coped with everything without you all. We will never forget the support you gave us. Thank You.

Rhea Winkler