Source: South West News

IF you look at the smile on Christopher Bailey's face it is hard to imagine he has spent more than half of his eight years of life in and out of hospital.

Born with one kidney and intellectually impaired, the Year 3 pupil at Inala State School's Special Needs Unit was on dialysis for years before receiving a transplant when he was five.

Christopher's mum Chaylea Bailey said her son spent up to four nights a week in hospital before the transplant. "I think the intellectual impairment came about because he was so long in hospital," she said of the Carole Park youngster.

"Although he is eight his mental age is more like a five-year-old." Mrs Bailey said although Christopher, the youngest of eight children, was not allowed to play contact sport in order to protect his kidney, he enjoyed running, swimming and watching movies.

"When he was on dialysis he couldn't go swimming due to the high risk of infection," she said. "We still have to make sure he keeps away from people who are sick, especially people with cases of chicken pox."

Christopher's story inspired his school to nominate him for a Forest Lake/Inala Lions Club Children of Courage Award, which he received along with 11 other children at an official ceremony in June.

Mrs Bailey said she didn't tell Christopher about his award until the day of the ceremony due to his difficulty with short-term memory. "It's funny because he'll remember things that you wouldn't expect him to remember but he forgets some things you told him five minutes ago," she said.

"He jumped up on stage to receive his trophy and certificate." Now in its second year, the Children of Courage Awards recognise young "super heroes' who have overcome hurdles in their lives.

The awards were presented by Lady Mayoress Lisa Newman, State Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk, Senator Russell Trood and Councillor Norm Wyndham.