By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
LAUGHTER comes easily in the Makawe-Zaicz household.
It’s a mark of Dandenong South parents Sue Makawe and Mick Zaicz’s pragmatism that they don’t complain about their daughter Jazmin’s debilitating condition.
‘Jaz’ herself has always been “happy as Larry”, Ms Makawe says. A people person who likes reading books, watching movies, singers and dancers, and making crafts and finger paintings.
Depending on her health, Jaz hopes to celebrate her sixth birthday on 18 January watching the film Kung Fu Panda 3 with family and friends.
The family hates asking for anything, but it has turned to crowd-funding for a desperately needed, modified vehicle. Something that can carry the family, Jaz’s wheelchair and equipment such as a special chair and table, walker, feeding items and clothes.
There are long commutes ahead to Jaz’s school in Seaford, and the family’s tiny two-door Toyota Echo just doesn’t cut it.
Between her regular bright laughs, Ms Makawe admits parenthood has been vastly different to what she’d imagined.
Ever since Jaz bravely survived as a 23-week premmie, suffered three strokes at birth and spent her first 10 months in neo-natal intensive care.
“You have all the plans for when you have kids. For every parent, the reality is different.
“Our reality is different to others.”
Jaz is chronically burdened with cerebral palsy, deafness, lung disease and quadiplegia – a paralysis of her limbs.
She requires constant assistance with every imaginable task, including being fed through an intravenous stomach tube.
As a treat, she’ll get a taste – just half a teaspoon – of chocolate ice cream.
For her comfort, countless pieces of furniture and equipment are modified at great expense.
Jaz has been regularly ill over the past year, her mother explains.
She has had to miss a lot of kinder – being driven to a raft of “absolutely brilliant” doctors, clinicians and therapists.
All of which underlines how important a new vehicle is to this kind family.
As of last week, they had crowd-funded more than $4000 towards their $30,000 goal.
To donate, go to ‘Wheels for Jaz’ at gofundme.com or www.gofundme.com/gqcwe28s
