Silas had developed a rare neurological condition called Acute Transverse Myelitis. Inflammation
attacks the spinal cord and begins destroying the myelin sheath that protects it. As the sheath
breaks down, the nervous system can shut down rapidly.

Silas was treated within 24 hours of his first symptoms, undergoing an MRI and lumbar puncture,
which prevented the paralysis from spreading past his lower body. He was transferred to The
Royal Children’s Hospital, where the Cockatoo medical team and ward staff immediately took him
under their care.

Silas underwent countless tests and procedures, including five rounds of plasmapheresis to
remove the harmful antibodies and replace them with clean ones.

Silas began to show signs of improvement sooner than expected, but it wasn’t without pain. It took
a lot of physical and mental strength to relearn everything, from a tiny wiggle of his toes, to feeling
the tap of a reflex hammer, to regaining control of his bladder and bowels.

During his time at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Silas was surrounded by an incredible team of
doctors, nurses, Cockatoo and Wombat ward staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists,
volunteers, and group therapy teams.

After six weeks, Silas became an outpatient. Slowly but surely, he returned to school and began
easing into the sports he loved and cherished.

Now, he’s back at school full time, back playing sports, and back to being the cheerful and
determined boy we know. He still takes medication to support his bladder function, and there
remains a small chance of recurrence, but Silas chooses to focus on living life as close to normal
as possible.

“We are forever grateful to the Royal Children’s Hospital for their expertise, compassion and
unwavering support. They helped give our boy his life back.”

Thank you to Silas’ mother Hayley for sharing this story with the Good Friday Appeal.