Family's fight to save toddler's leg
An Ipswich family is fighting to save their little boy from losing his leg after he was born with a rare disorder.
Little Khye Freeck is ready to walk but first there are major hurdles ahead.
The 15-month-old toddler suffers from Fibular Hemimelia, the congenital absence of the fibula - a condition which affects just one in 40,000 children.
"He just doesn't have that balance," Khye's mum, Angela Degn, said. "When he does walk, his foot goes off to the side."
Doctors said amputation was Khye's best option.
"I just want him to live a normal childhood with his own leg," Angela said.
Thankfully, the family has found hope overseas.
An American specialist offering leg lengthening surgery has had some promising results.
Demi Reilly, from the Gold Coast, was the first Australian patient.
"She's running, walking, being like any normal four-year-old can be," Demi's dad, Simon Reilly, said.
"He gets patients from all over the world coming to see him for this special treatment."
Khye's operation has been booked for January.
The toddler's family will hold raffles and a fundraiser to pay for the surgery - likely to cost around $200,000.
They have six months to raise the total amount and donations are already coming in.
"It's pretty overwhelming how many people are getting behind us," Khye's dad, Matthew Freeck, said.
You can donate to Khye's cause by visiting his Facebook page
