Until a few months ago, Sophie Radburn was a typical eight-year-old girl with a big smile and infectious personality.
Then her parents, Scott and Rita, noticed mild changes in her behaviour.
They were concerned enough to see a doctor.
“She started walking strangely and lost interest in school,” Mr Radburn said.
“It reached the point where she went to sit on the couch and nearly fell.”
After a series of specialists were unable to shed light, Sophie underwent a series of tests at the Royal Children’s Hospital. What followed was every parent’s nightmare.
Sophie, of Wyndham Vale, was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma, a brain tumour which typically affects children.
“It was heartbreaking,” Mr Radburn said.
“We were told it [the tumour] probably first presented as a wonky eye about a year earlier, and had the optometrist looked at the back of her eye he would have seen it.”
Sophie had emergency brain surgery in June and faces a further 18 months of chemotherapy.
“Unfortunately, the tumour is the same colour as brain tissue so they can’t risk taking it out,” Mr Radburn said.
“She’s started chemotherapy and we’re waiting for a scan next month to find out if it’s working.”
The ordeal has taken its toll on the family, with Mrs Radburn quitting her job to look after Sophie and Mr Radburn only just starting to return to work as a truck driver.
“Sophie needs permanent care,” Mr Radburn said.
“She can’t go out and play like other children because parts of her skull are now only two millimetres thick; she’s very fragile.
“The first time her mum brushed her hair and it started falling out was shattering. We knew it would happen, but that didn’t make it easier.”
Mr Radburn said the support for Sophie had been overwhelming.
“Her school, Our Lady of the Southern Cross primary, has been unbelievable, as have my wife’s workmates at Coles Werribee Central, who made little Sophie badges,” he said.
Front Up Freestyle, a group of Wyndham-based motorcycle stunt riders, has thrown its support behind Sophie and her family, raising $2250 at a show last month.
Organiser Chloe Cassar encouraged the community to come to their October 26 show, which will include jumping castles, face-painting and BMX demonstrations in Laverton North, with all the proceeds going to Sophie.
It will be held at Foresite Training, 1 Banfield Court, Laverton North.
To support Sophie, donations can be made to the bank account Sophie Louise Radburn, BSB 063541, account number 10736746, or visit the ‘Support Sophie Radburn’ Facebook page.
