LIKE lots of toddlers, Konrad Kiley loves planes, trains and cars.
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Unlike others, however, the Wodonga medical miracle boy, now 2, has had a rough ride to finally join his peers at childcare for the first time on Thursday.
He has had 10 surgeries in Melbourne including four on his bowel.
Konrad’s parents Shannyn Kiley and Tom Sutter said sending Konrad to childcare at Goodstart Early Learning Wodonga one day a week was a “huge milestone”.
“It’s the closest thing to normal that we’ve had,” Ms Kiley said.
“All up, Konrad spent one day shy of a year in hospital and I had one year at home with him.
“It’s been a heck of a two years but we are finally getting back to a normal life.”
Ms Kiley said Konrad still had a central line into his body and a gastrostomy tube into his stomach.
“He has milk through the peg tube during the day,” she said.
“He is still hooked up to an IV pole every night, so to see him running around at childcare like a normal kid is huge.”
Goodstart Early Learning Wodonga director Sue Phung said staff had been trained to manage Konrad’s needs at childcare.
She said The Royal Children’s Hospital had helped them to train 26 staff including four in Konrad’s basic needs.
“It’s the best thing for him to be here; it’s his right as a little person to feel safe and secure,” she said.
A FarmTech Machinery employee, Ms Kiley praised her workplace and the childcare staff for their flexibility.
She said next year Konrad would go to Goodstart four days a week.
“They have repositioned staff to cater for him,” she said.
Ms Kiley said Konrad had reached all of his developmental goals.
She said his first and favourite word was “car”.
“By the time he starts primary school, we’re hoping he’ll get rid of the lines (into his body),” she said.
- JODIE BRUTON