Nothing holds 11-year-old James Lewendon back. He’s a happy, extremely active young lad. But major burns from a rogue campfire ember on the family farm in Buchan when he was just two-years-old has meant a great deal of pain and frustration over the years. Enter Make-A-Wish East Gippslanders who granted him and his family an amazing adventure.
James and his family returned last month from an action-packed holiday in Queensland, thanks to the local wish organisers, that included OZ Comic Con, Wet and Wild and Movie World – a week of thrills that was a joy to all who attended.
Over the past nine years, James has endured endless surgeries to rectify a multitude of problems associated with his burns as a young boy.
“I’ve lost count of the operations he’s had,” his mum, Pauline Chin, said, indicating that plastic surgeon, Sian Fairbanks, of the Royal Children’s Hospital, had become almost a part of the family.
James was sitting furthest from the campfire when an ember caught his polar fleece clothes alight.
“We did all the right things. Called an ambulance, the bush nurse kept him going until it arrived and he was airlifted by Helimed to the Royal Children’s,” Pauline said.
“We lost him three times that I know of, once on the way there, and once in the first three days at the hospital. And I’m sure there were other times they didn’t tell me about.
“He was in an induced coma for five weeks and just in that time he had four or five operations. He’s had more than 50 since.”
James was burnt on 22 per cent of his body – his face up to his eyes, his ears, hest, left torso, left arm and a patch where his nappy began.
“He didn’t lose the freckle on his nose, though,” Pauline laughed.
Over the years, plastic surgery and skin grafts have been needed, among other treatments, to deal with contracture of the skin, where the scarred skin tightens and pulls together, restricting movement.
“We use a dessert spoon to eat. At one point, though, James was eating with a teaspoon, his mouth had been pulled so tightly,” Pauline said.
“His skin has pulled so tight at times that his eyes have drooped. He had a 10 degree bend in his arm at one stage, too, and couldn’t bend his wrist.”
But James remains active. He loves football and dreams of playing for the Melbourne Demons one day.
“He plays for the Buchan under 16s, this year receiving the coach’s most improved award, and he plays midget netball, too,” Pauline said.
James was joined in Queensland by Pauline, her big brother, Rodger Chin, and James’ sisters, Mckayla (year 10), Sophie, (grade six), his twin sister, Stephanie (grade four) and younger sister, Ashleigh (prep).
James’ dad, Michael, worked at the Nowa Nowa mill and was unable to attend due the mill’s closure, so Rodger went in his place.
“Rodger is a twin. We lost his twin brother two years ago, so it was really special to have him join us,” Pauline said.
Before their departure, the Buchan Primary School community celebrated James’ wish granting with a presentation from Make-AWish East Gippsland’s Bev Sinclair, Wendy Martin and Susie Childs.
“Throughout the presentation, when asked by the Make-A-Wish Foundation representatives what he wants to do, James often referred to purchasing gifts for other people, rather than buying things for himself,” school principal, Clare Edwards, said.
“This showed the really caring side of James, which I have often seen him display at school, but which does not always get recognised.”
Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children battling an illness that robs them of their childhood. The wishes are not fleeting gifts but are carefully planned journeys involving discussion with the child’s medical team, parents, and most importantly, the child.
A wish gives the child hope, strength and joy, providing a break from the pain and anguish of everyday life and the power to battle on. Even a strong young man like James needs a well deserved lift in his life, as does his family, and his wish was gratefully received by all involved.
PICTURED: James Lewendon celebrated his wish granting with his Buchan Primary School friends and Make-A-Wish representatives before he and his family headed to Queensland last month.
