RENOWNED neurosurgeon Wirginia Maixner is the Pilat family’s hero. Ms Maixner saved Bohdi’s life when he was a baby and continues to keep watch over him.
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Now aged seven, Bohdi has become a life-long regular at Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne where he has had 13 brain surgeries, two kidney operations and plenty of check-ups.
Bohdi had a stroke before he was born. The Ballarat youngster was diagnosed with severe fluid build-up around the brain when six weeks old and had emergency surgery for a shunt to help drain the fluid. The shunt has been fixed or replaced 13 times and Bohdi has a proud scar, tucked away on the back of his head to show for it.
As a result, Bohdi also has cerebral palsy, poor eye sight and experiences epilepsy but he refuses to let anything slow him down – quite literally too, as Bohdi loves to speed about in his wheelchair and on his bike.
Nina Pilat said her son could attend mainstream school thanks largely due to the care from RCH and Lumen Christi primary staff. This was why her family was so keen to promote the Good Friday Appeal.
“The Royal Children’s is an amazing place even under tough circumstances,” Ms Pilat said. “The hospital means so much to so many families. It’s amazing to have such a high-quality hospital in Victoria that every child can access. When you actually have to be patient of the hospital, you realise the need to support it.”
There were so many animal toys for children to ride in Bohdi Pilat’s last visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Bodhi chased his dad on an elephant.
Bohdi also loves when people are blowing bubbles he can pop about the waiting rooms.
Starlight Express Room is one of Bohdi’s favourite places. The ever-changing room is where Captain Starlight is based with plenty of fun activities to distract him a bit.
Bohdi’s big brother, best friend and motivator Kaleb, aged 10, also enjoys hanging out in the Starlight Express Room when the family is waiting for Bohdi in surgery.
When he undergoes surgery for a new shunt, Bohdi’s stay in RCH is about a week long. There is always a bed for one of his parents to sleep in nearby.
While Bohdi mostly gets about in his wheelchair, he has been working hard and been very disciplined in his physiotherapy exercises to start using his walker the past month.
Bohdi still has to visit RCH about six times a year and keeps pushing to make big achievements at school and home.
To help support RCH’s Good Friday Appeal, visit goodfridayappeal.com.au. Blue Bell Hotel in Wendouree is once again donating $2 from every chicken parma sold this week to the appeal.