Maddie sets the bar high

Published: 2 October 2011
By: Selina Venier

Family strength: Madison Holgate (centre) with her mother Richelle (left), father Paul and sister Briana

WHEN the rubber hits the road, Madison Holgate is unstoppable.

Abseiling? She's done it.

Ride a flying fox? No problem.

Skiing? Tick that box too.

The list of activities the 13-year-old, who has cerebal palsy, has experienced could go on - horse riding, swimming, cooking, sewing - and the list will go on.

Cerebral palsy is a condition that limits movement and is caused by damage to the developing brain, normally before birth.

While there's no known cure, parents Richelle and Paul set the bar high of what their daughter could achieve.

"We just wanted the best for her ... to be as independent as she can be and do as many things as she wants to," Paul said from their home in Camp Hill in Brisbane's inner suburbs.

"She's got potential and we want to realise it."

A beaming Richelle caresses her daughter's hair and adds her sentiments.

"I know there are lots of parents who don't have the same attitude as us," she said.

"(But) we've never not done something because we had a wheelchair."

Maddie, as she's known and loved, was born at 28 weeks gestation.

Her twin didn't survive, but she kept up the fight for life.

"Maddie just kept growing and growing," Richelle said of her improving birth weight of 680 grams.

While carrying the twins she suffered "twin-to-twin transfusion".

It's a condition that since 2000, can be assisted by an operation to "cut off the blood vessels causing the problems and you end up with two healthy twins", Richelle said.

The Holgates, who also had two-year-old Briana at the time, brought Maddie home after a four-month hospital stay.

They remember the relentless "screaming".

"She just cried and cried and cried," Richelle said.

"I was beside myself."

At 12 months of age, Maddie was diagnosed and Paul said it was "a relief" because they knew what they "were dealing with".

So began a lengthy journey of physio, speech and occupational therapy.

Maddie began speaking when she was four.

Four years of horseriding with a school for people with disabilities "opened up her hips and gave her a good stretch", Richelle said.

On-going gym sessions and riding a three-wheel bicycle has also allowed extraordinary gains in balance and strength.

Maddie attended Our Lady of Lourdes primary school, Sunnybank, for a time and now attends Corinda State High School.

She said her "Mum thinks maths" is her favourite subject, and was quick to share of her sewing and cooking achievements.

"We made a book and a pencil case," Maddie said.

"I pushed the sewing pedal with my hand."

"They put the pedal on the desk and the teacher aide guided the material," Richelle said.

"(And) Maddie made lots of yummy things in her Health and Nutrition elective - but didn't bring many home."

"Yes I did," the 13-year-old piped up.

"I made fried rice."

It's soon realised chocolate is a favourite.

Maddie admits she wanted her sister to score a job in a local ice creamery so she could enjoy the benefits.

The girls' relationship is close-knit.

"Maddie's always got a smile on her face," Briana said.

"She's willing to try anything."

With so many achievements and experiences to date, one very special "wish" remains.

"I want to try and walk," Maddie said.

An October 15 operation will hopefully allow that dream to be realised.

"We haven't ever wanted to rush surgery," Richelle said.

"We were told we only have a window of 12 to 18 months and decided not to wait any longer."

Paul said the decision was his daughter's.

"We didn't want to make the decision for her," he said.

"She's the one who has to do the work afterwards and she has to be committed."

The operation will offer a "hamstring release and de-rotation of the hips", Richelle said.

It's anticipated Maddie will be bed-ridden for six to eight weeks after surgery and won't return to school this year.

Paul said they were hopeful Maddie would be able to "pull herself out of the chair", walk with assistance and "step into the car".

The family too have a wish list - a lift for their two-storey home (at a cost of about $15,000) and new ramps for the car.

"We need a new car too but will get by with what we have, for now," Richelle said.

They, along with supporters from Briana's school of Lourdes Hill College, came out to help Maddie's fundraising at a recent walk.

That event alone raised $7000 and the collective efforts of family and friends are ongoing.

So is certain faith in God.

"We wouldn't be the same people without her," Paul said.
"There is a plan."

"From when Maddie was born I thought, 'Well, this is what God wanted'," Richelle said.

"She's here for a reason and we're determined to make everything possible for her.

"The fact that she's happy and determined herself makes things easier for us.

"We always put in Maddie's mind that just because she can't walk doesn't mean she can't achieve whatever it is she wants to."

And what's on Maddie's wish list after walking?

"Depends on how old I am," she said.

"I'll probably try and get a job."

To track Maddie's progress or offer support go to www.maddiesmates.com.au