Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (PCHF) proudly supports Kids Rehab WA, Perth Children’s Hospital’s rehabilitation service, which is empowering the lives of kids with disabilities through life-changing equipment and technology.
Public health and disability funds are allocated primarily to basic and essential needs, meaning children with lifelong neurodisabilities often face funding shortfalls for necessary equipment and services. This hinders their ability to participate fully in daily activities and enjoy typical childhood experiences.
Kids Rehab WA helps ease the struggle for around 1,600 WA children with acquired and congenital spinal cord injuries each year. They support these children by providing specialised equipment, technology and therapy to those who would otherwise go without due to financial and social barriers. With PCHF support, the program offers early intervention, cerebral palsy mobility, intensive rehabilitation, spinal and acquired brain injury rehabilitation.
Thanks to continued PCHF funding, Kids Rehab WA is helping kids with disabilities move forward, build a stronger future and fulfill their dreams.
One of those children is Olivia Riley, 16, who dreams of competing in the Paralympics.
New FrameRunner paves path to Paralympics
Olivia sustained an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) following the removal of a brain tumour when she was just eight years old. Prior to her tumour, Olivia was very active, taking part in dance and sports, but her ABI has affected her balance and movement.
Olivia had to undergo intensive rehabilitation. It meant learning how to swallow, speak and move again. A program was tailored specifically to meet her changing needs, which included ongoing physiotherapy, education, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
Through sheer determination, Olivia transitioned from a wheelchair to a walker and quad sticks, and can now walk unaided for a short period, although her balance is still compromised.
In 2021, Olivia was introduced to the sport of FrameRunning, an inclusive recreation and rehabilitation activity for people with conditions affecting mobility or balance.
For Olivia, FrameRunning isn’t just a sport, it represents freedom, independence and the opportunity to achieve something extraordinary.
In September, PCHF was thrilled to present Olivia with her very own top-of-the-line FrameRunner, bringing her one step closer to her dream of competing in the Paralympics.
Funded by PCHF, thanks to the generous support of the Carcione Foundation, Olivia is now the proud owner of a state-of-the-art Danish-designed aluminium FrameRunner. Weighing in at just 12.5kg, it’s significantly lighter and more portable than her previous model, allowing her to train and compete more easily.
“When I was eight, I had surgery to remove a brain tumour. The tumour was successfully removed, but then they found a second tumour. After more than seven hours in surgery, the medical team decided to only remove the second tumour if it grows or becomes active in the future," Olivia said.
“Before my surgery, I loved dance and gymnastics, but afterwards I had to relearn how to walk and talk. PCHF has supported me throughout my recovery, and this new FrameRunner is a big step toward my ultimate goal of competing in the Paralympics.”
Training with her coach Chris and his daughter Maddy, Olivia is preparing for her next big challenge: competing at the 2025 Chemist Warehouse Australian Athletics Championships next April.
Bianca, Olivia’s mum, said it was "very difficult" for Olivia following the removal of the tumour because she struggled with not being as active as she once was.
“It was amazing watching Olivia in the FrameRunner for the first time. She has a very competitive streak and it’s difficult to find an all-ability activity like FrameRunning, so it’s been really fantastic," Bianca said.
“Olivia’s goal is to one day take part in the Paralympics – she would absolutely love to race and win a medal.”
Dr Noula Gibson, Senior Physiotherapist at Perth Children’s Hospital, who was instrumental in sourcing and fitting the new FrameRunner, said FrameRunning is an inclusive activity that allows people with conditions affecting their mobility or balance to engage in recreation and rehabilitation.
“While FrameRunning is growing in popularity in WA, there are still significant barriers for those wanting to compete at an elite level – one of the biggest being the cost of quality equipment. Thanks to PCHF and the Carcione Foundation, Olivia’s new FrameRunner goes above and beyond what is typically available through the NDIS, helping her take that next step toward her goals," Dr Gibson said.
“Working with hospital clinicians to provide specialist equipment like the FrameRunner, and access to innovative programs is a gamechanger, giving children and teenagers with disabilities and chronic illness the freedom to achieve better health outcomes through physical activities,” Carrick Robinson, CEO of Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, said.
“It’s been fantastic to work alongside Noula and the team at Kids Rehab WA to help turn Olivia’s dream into a reality. Inspired by her determination, we were eager to see how we could support Olivia’s ambitions, and seeing her reaction to the new FrameRunner was absolutely priceless.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Carcione Foundation for their generous contribution. This FrameRunner is not just a piece of equipment – it represents a host of exciting opportunities for Olivia. We can’t wait to see what she achieves next.”
