Nothing is going to hold Arthur Long back, especially with his newest set of “leggies”.
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The three-year-old of Riverside lost his feet, part of his right hand and his spleen after contracting meningococcal shortly before his second birthday last year.
He spent 10 days in an intensive care coma at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, but miraculously managed to beat the infection.
Now his future is looking bright.
Since receiving his third set of prosthetic legs on Monday, Arthur’s mother Carly said he had barley sat still.
“He is a ball of energy at the moment,” she said.
“Each time he gets his new leggies it is a very exciting day, and that excitement usually lasts a while.”
In August Arthur will be the guest of honour at Foundation33inc’s annual fundraising cocktail party.
Foundation president Grayson Genders said Arthur’s story had touched the hearts of many in the community, with the event aiming to raise $10,000 in support of the Long family.
“It is such an inspirational story and we were very keen to help in any we could with Arthur’s continued recovery and ongoing growth,” he said.
“Being affected by something like this at such a young age, it is hard not feel for him and his parents. But he is such an incredible boy.”
Five people have been admitted to the Royal Hobart hospital and treated for meningococcal in the past two weeks. A Hobart teenager, who died from the disease, and a three-month-old baby are among the cases.
On Thursday Health Minister Michael Ferguson announced an expansion of the government’s vaccine program, with Tasmanians aged between six weeks and 20 years to be eligible for free meningococcal vaccines.
Ms Long said hearing about the recent cases had been very upsetting.
“My sister actually knows the mother of the 16-year-old girl that passed away,” she said.
“So for it to be that close to home made it even worse. It has been triggering.”
Ms Long said her family had been overwhelmed by the support of the community throughout her son’s recovery, with Arthur currently on a waiting list for further surgery on his right hand.
“We are hoping he will be able to have the surgery by the end of the year,” she said.
“He is starting early learning next year and it [surgery] is going to put him out of action for a couple of weeks.”
Ahead of the August fundraiser, Mr Genders said organisers were hoping local businesses would come on board and donate goods for raffles and a silent auction.
“We also want Arthur to arrive in style, so we are doing a call-out to anyone with a special form of transport we might be able to use on the night,” Mr Genders said.
- The fundraiser will be held at Tramshed Function Centre on August 25. Tickets are $50, and are available from Launceston Tickets and by emailing foundation33inc@gmail.com.