Story
Kenzie's journey with Alder Hey started when he was just 4 years old. Kenzie developed a limp which wouldn't subside. We initially took him to he's gp who prescribed ibuprofen and asked us to give Kenzie 5ml 3x a day for 7 days, as children around the age of 4 sometimes suffer with a condition called irritable hip. If there was no change in 7 days to return. Unfortunately, the ibuprofen didn't help or make any difference to Kenzie and we had to return him to the doctor on Wednesday 16th March 2011. Kenzie was then asked to attend St. Helens hospital for an x-ray and to return again to the doctor the following week for results. Within less than 48 hours Kenzie's doctor came out to our home at around 9:30am (Friday 18th March 2011). Unfortunately a problem had been found with Kenzie's right hip and we was invited to the surgery to discuss this further. The drive to the doctors felt like one of the longest drives we've ever driven, even though the journey was less than 10 minutes. Once we arrived we went into speak to Kenzie's doctor. He went on to explain, Kenzie has a condition called Perthes Disease. a condition that affects the femur (thigh bone), making it soft and breakable due to lack of blood supply reaching the bone. Initially, Kenzie was placed on a wait and watch approach where all high impact sports and exercise was restricted.
Upon he's return to Alder Hey to visit he's specialist, Kenzie had a second x-ray which showed the bone had deteriorated and was in fact getting worse than first thought. It was decided due to the damage and the severity of the bone Kenzie required surgery. On Wednesday 15th February 2012, Kenzie was admitted into Alder Hey to undergo major surgery the following day Thursday 16th February 2012 ( which was also he's little sisters 3rd birthday). He underwent he's first varus osteotomy surgery and was placed in a hip spica to aid he's recovery.
After months of intense physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to strengthen his muscle wasted leg, a detrmined Kenzie got back to he's feet. (Restrictions where still upheld and in place).
Kenzie's dad noticed a leaflet when visiting the charity office one day with Kenzie to see if we could buy him a little treat. The leaflet was to do a 'Zip Wire across Goodison Park - Everton FC). Ste (Dad) signed himself up and began to get donations to raise vital funds for Alder Hey. On the day of the zip wire we all travelled to Goodison Park with family and friends to support Dad and others on their challenge. Kenzie's Dad dressed up as Superman and managed to raise over £600 for the charity.
Kenzie had 3 monthly check ups and still had restrictions and needed the use of a wheelchair but hes strength, character and determination got him through most days (just as they did us). In November 2014 a letter from Alder Hey dropped through the letter box. We assumed it was just for another routine check up, but infact it was informing us Kenzie had been scheduled for more surgery on he's affected leg the date of surgery would be Thursday 18th December 2014 - Exactly a week before Christmas day. We literally felt as though the world had been snatched from underneath us, what about if he wasn't home for Christmas? What about he's sister? She didn't like visiting when Kenzie underwent surgery through seeing the machines and the pain, what if we wasn't together at Christmas?. Kenzie knew straight away something was wrong and began to question what was the matter? I explained to him what the letter had said and the date he would need to go in for surgery. Never in my widest dreams did I expect the reply I was given. Kenzie stood infront of us both and he's response was "Well I won't be the only child in there at Christmas will I?, What if Santa has too many places to visit? Have you seen how many beds are in Alder Hey? I think I might need to help him?". We didn't have a clue what Kenzie was meaning by this, but for someone at such a young age to think of others not jst themselves was an eye opener for us all. He was right, he wasn't going to be the only one in hospital, but what did he mean by helping Santa?. He went onto explain when he had been in over Easter due to physio and hydro, he left the hospital with 11 eggs and a pinball machine and this is where he's ideas grew. Well if I help Santa, like the staff helped the Easter Bunny then no-one will have to worry about Christmas at Alder Hey. Kenzie went on to collect as many gifts, toys, anything you can possibly think of as a gift for a child aged 0-16yrs who will be spending their Christmas in Alder Hey, and delivered them all to the charity office to be ditributed throughout the hospital on Christmas eve for all the patients who unfortunately won't be home for Christmas. Luckily we managed to get Kenzie home for Christmas day it didn't feel the same but we were home and together and thats all that matters. (We also had a case of mission impossible with our own christmas gifts as Kenzie was bedridden he's bed was now downstairs, next to the tree).
A second surgery just before christmas 2014 meant Kenzie was back at physiotherapy in February. Despite still having muscle damage and weakness in the affected perthes leg, Kenzie remained determined and positive and kept pushing and working hard to strengthen it again. This is where Kenzie spotted a poster named 'Oli's Safari Walk' - 3k Walk around Knowsley Safari Park. So to help aid he's recovery Kenzie wanted to take part in 3k charity walk to help raise money for Alder Hey but he wanted to do it without the use of he's wheelchair. A wheelchair that he had depended on for so long, he wanted to do it alone, even though we did have the wheelchair on stand by just incase.
Kenzie went on to complete the charity walk without the use of he's wheelchair, there was smiles, laughter, tears, pain, hugs and most of all pride. He had done just what he had set out to do, all with he's sidekick sister beside him.
Kenzie has organised quite a lot to help fundraise for Alder Hey and was surprised in Septemeber 2015 after being invited to become one of Alder Hey Children's Hospital Young Fundraising Ambassadors for all hes hard work and efforts. Some of the events organised have been - Toy Appeals, Own Clothes Days, Sponsored Walks, Fun Days, Parties, Boxing Shows and much much more.
Kenzie has also won a few awards through his journey & fundraising which are :-
Pride of St. Helens - Child Of Courage - Winner 2015.
BBC Northwest Tonight Christmas Star Award 2015.
Wish FM - Volunteer Of The Year Award. 2016.
He's been a guest at both St. Helens and Wigan Christmas Light Switch on, to tell people all about he's fundraising and asking for help for his appeals, he also welcomed Leighton Baines (Everton FC) as a patron to Alder Hey, afterwards Leighton was so touched by Kenzie's story he offered to take Kenzie christmas shopping to help with he's appeal. He's welcomed Grand National jockeys to the hospital before the Alder Hey race at Aintree Racecourse, football mascot for 22 little heros (Everton Game at Christmas) and was also a mascot at Wayne Rooney's Testimonial Match at Old Trafford. Been a V.I.P at box 4 kids thanks to Alder Hey and Barrie Wells Trust. He also had the privilege and to our to welcome her majesty the queen to Alder Hey Children's Hospital on their official opening, aswel as being a V.I.P to be a guest of honour to have a special look around Alder Hey in the park before it opened to the public (He was gobsmacked). There are lots of events and special memories Kenzie has been able to achieve for us all to cherish for a lifetime.
He's latest challenge is 'One Million Steps - 500 Miles for Alder Hey 'for their latest appeal #MillionMiles #MillionMilesForMentalHealth 💚 Kenzie has set himself the challenge of completing one million steps - 500 miles to help raise vital funds for he's remarkable second home Alder Hey Children's Hospital. The smallest donation could make the biggest difference. He couldn't achieve any of this without you, your kindness, generosity, help and support are what helps make everything possible for Kenzie. Please help and thank you so so much for reading.
Team Kenzie xox.
7 out of 10 children and young people who experience a mental health condition have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age. Our £3 million pound 7 in 10 Childrens Mental Health Appeal is aiming to raise vital funds to enhance inpatient and community mental health services at Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust, enabling more children to access the treatment they need at the time they need it.You can help now by signing up for our amazingly ambitious Million Mile challenge by pledging to cover a distance - running, walking, peddling, swimming, or hopping even and by raising sponsorship money you will be helping us towards our £3m target.Exercise is proven to benefit mental health. So what better way to support children and young people who need access to mental health services than to walk, run, cycle or swim and help us to reach a #MillionMiles for childrens mental health by 2022.