A Message from Nan and Grandpop

Our friends tell us when they are visiting their newest grandchild to enjoy some "baby worship". Oh, if only it could be so easy for us to do that too. Queensland is a long and tiring journey from London (not to mention the expense) so our "baby worship" is done via photos from Daniel's Blog and Picasa Albums and the occasional Skype.

When Daniel was born we were in Perth with other Grey-haired Wandering Gypsies on a Round Oz trip. (Was the really just twelve months ago?). When Shane phoned I can still remember very clearly exactly where we were driving, so Jim had to find a place to park the car. We cried with joy at the new birth, our grandchild number 8, and with sadness that Daniel had an impediment to overcome. But the sadness was even more so for Shane and Kristen knowing that they would have to make some hard decisions on Daniel's behalf, before he was old enough to make those decisions for himself.

We were blessed with a visit from our newest family at Christmas/New Year when we could engage in face to face "baby worship". That was a lovely time of seeing Daniel with his parents who are so relaxed in their loving of him, and of cuddling that little warm body in person.

Some might think that after several grandchildren another one would be just "ho hum". There has always been excitement and apprehension for each grandchild for each one is so precious to us, Number 8 no less than Number 1 or all the others in between.

We know that with the love and care of his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous courtesy family members Daniel will go from strength to strength and develop into the wonderful person he is meant to be.

Go Daniel, Go!!

Posted By Jim and Esma (Daniel's Nan and Grandpop)

Happy 1st Birthday Daniel!

Daniel was very lucky to celebrate his first birthday in Provence in France. Not many people can say that! His actual birthday is today but we had a birthday party for him on the weekend.

Shane, Daniel and I were over in France to celebrate our friend Jemma's 30th Birthday (that's Jemma holding Daniel in the group photo).


We stayed at an beautiful country house called Les Carmes near L'Isle sur La Sorgue in Provence. On Sunday morning we visited the markets at L'Isle sur La Sorgue and picked up some fabulous fresh food for Daniel's birthday party and the owners of Les Carmes kindly organised a birthday cake. We think Daniel enjoyed himself although it was a bit overwhelming with nine adults singing "Happy Birthday" at you - there were a few tears!

It has been quite a first year for the three of us. We do wish that Daniel had not been born with PFFD but it is part of who he is. But it is only a part of who he is, which is an amazing little boy that we are so proud to call our son. Daniel's condition has changed our outlook and attitude on many aspects of life for the better. It has also shown us how much love and support there is out there, not only from our family and friends but also from strangers that have read our story.

Here is a funny video Daniel's Uncle Matt sent through from Australia - I don't think I behaved like that mother!

Posted By Kristen (Daniel's Mum)

Two Feet on the Ground!

Today for the first time, Daniel experienced what it is like to have two feet on the ground!

We had an appointment at the Limb Fitting Centre at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London so that Daniel could receive his first prosthetic.

His parents were very excited but Daniel didn't really understand the significance of the occasion. There were a few tears shed as a strange man in a white coat put a very strange device on his little leg.

Daniel was given some time to recover from the event and then spent some time standing up against the rehabilitation parallel bars. For the first time he was able to stand on both feet without performing a balancing act.

Unfortunately, a few tweaks are required and the workshop is very busy at the moment so we won't be able to take the prosthetic home until September 1st. Daniel didn't want to show you any photos of his prosthetic until he has the final product so stay tuned.

Meanwhile, Daniel will continue practising his balancing act for the next Olympic Games and perhaps even give the parallel bars a go.

Go Aussies! Go Team GB!

Posted By Kristen (Daniel's Mum)

A Message From Gran and Grandpa

We flew from Western Australia to London a few days before the expected arrival of our first grandchild. Like the expectant parents, we couldn’t wait to meet him. We were awake in our rented bedsit when the call came from our son-in-law Shane. Baby Daniel had finally arrived into the world but there was a problem with his right leg. Of course our happiness was tinged with sadness and anxiety for Daniel and his parents. It was the first we knew of what was to become a familiar term to us – Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency or PFFD.

During the next two weeks in London we did all we could to help. We shopped and cooked, we talked and listened, we loved and cuddled Daniel, we researched on the net and sometimes we just let them have space and time together to get used to the usual ups and downs of new parenthood.

Finally the day came for us to return to Australia. It was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do – leaving that little family of three so far away. In many ways it can be harder to be a grandparent of a child with a disability. Of course you feel pain for your grandchild but you seem to hurt even more for your own adult son or daughter. However, Kristen and Shane are best friends as well as a couple and we knew they would always be there to support each other in dealing with Daniel’s special needs.

It is almost a year since our little Daniel was born. Although so far away we are lucky to have seen him often in Australia and London and of course via the skype camera. He is a delightful child, a beautiful, happy, bright and friendly boy who endears himself to everyone he meets. He already has all the attributes he will need to cope with what lies ahead. We are immensely proud of his parents for the way they are dealing with Daniel’s PFFD and we have no doubt that whatever path they decide to take in Daniel’s treatment, he will have a wonderful future that is full of love and encouragement.

Posted By Terry & Lindy (Daniel’s Gran and Grandpa)