Broome gives brave youngster a helping hand

Brave Broome youngster Matt Saraza looks like a brand new boy as he clutches his mother’s fingers and gives her a beaming smile.

Just weeks after having lifeenhancing surgery, the seven-yearold, who suffers from cerebral palsy,looks a picture of health and is making a remarkable recovery.

Matt recently arrived back from Perth with his parents Monette and Ronaldo, and younger brother Marty, after undergoing an operation to have a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube inserted.

Since last year, the Saraza family have been tirelessly fundraising to enable their son to have the lifeenhancing operation.

Thanks to the support of the Broome community, the youngster was flown to Perth to have the temporary PEG tube fitted directly to his stomach to provide better feeding and nutrition.

Days after the delicate operation, Mr and Mrs Saraza said their son had steadily gained weight, and was more alert and active.

“He’s getting more power now, his muscles are building up, his cheeks have meat on them and his arms are getting better,” Mr Saraza said.

“Before, you would have to force him to lift his head, but now he does it himself.”

The operation marks a poignant milestone and the end of an agonising wait for his dedicated parents who are focused on ensuring their son gets the quality of life and medical support he requires.

Since Matt was born, Mr and Mrs Saraza have faced daily challenges.

After being born prematurely, Matt was diagnosed with neonatal sepsis — a blood infection, and necrotising enterocolitis — a condition damaging tissue of the bowel, requiring major surgery.

At five months old, Matt was diagnosed with a condition called hydrocephalus — build up of fluid inside the skull that leads to brain swelling.

Matt was admitted to Manila Doctors Hospital in the Philippines for a shunt replacement.

During their recent trek to Perth, the family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House, and extended their stay after Matt caught a contagious virus and was hospitalised again.

The family returned to Broome, to watch Matt’s transformation.

The Sarazas are continuing to fundraise, for Matt’s second operation in July to remove and replace the PEG.

They thanked the community for support and are planning a fundraiser for later this year. To donate, visit the Please Help Matt Facebook Page.