‘Over and above’: A mother shares what makes the Royal Children’s Hospital ‘exceptional’

The mother of a 16-year-old girl with a rare and complex medical condition — Rett syndrome — has praised the “extraordinary” Royal Children’s Hospital for keeping her daughter alive.

Maddy’s rare condition has no treatment and no cure.

“Maddy is quite complex on both a physical and a medical level and of late, medically, she’s been quite unwell,” she told Elise Elliot, filling in for Dee Dee.

“So the Royal Children’s have played a very big part in helping us keep Maddy with us.”

Elise Elliott with Maddy at the Royal Children’s Hospital

Traci says most people don’t realise how much special needs kids enrich the lives of everyone who cares for them.

“The life that you live when you have a child with special needs is very special,” she said.

“You get a lot more out of it then I think people think.

“These children give back so much and they teach you so much, and it’s such a rewarding life to live to care for Maddy.

But it’s also difficult, and Traci says the level of understanding the Royal Children’s Hospital shows parents is “exceptional”.

“They’re here for the parents as much as they are for the children, and that’s the exceptional thing about this hospital,” she said.

“Their support is just over and above.”

Press PLAY below to hear Traci sharing what makes the Royal Children’s Hospital so special