JUST a few weeks after marking four years of being cancer-free, Kiama Downs youngster Dexter Heffernan has celebrated another milestone.
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The five-year-old started kindergarten at Minnamurra Public School on Thursday.
Dexter was born prematurely and suffered periventricular leukomalacia, a form of brain damage, and as a result has cerebral palsy and impaired vision.
At 13 months he was also diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy and surgery after lesions were discovered in his liver and lungs.
Parents Lenice and Andrew were all smiles as their son began his first day.
“He’s doing well at the moment, he’s in a really good spot and is four years cancer free,” Mrs Heffernan said.
Wheelchair-bound Dexter previously attended Jamberoo Community Preschool.
The full-time student will have two teacher's aides at Minnamurra Public.
Mrs Heffernan said Dexter was excited to be attending the same school his father went to. Dexter also has three cousins at the school.
“He’s non-verbal, so he can’t actually tell us he’s excited, but he’s been very chatty in his non-verbal way.
“He’s been smiling and giggling a lot, and he does nod ‘yes’ and shakes his head ‘no’. Every time we ask him if he’s excited for school there’s always a big nod.
“We don’t want people to see the disability, we want them to see Dexter.
“They (the school) see Dexter; they see that he’s cheeky and clever.”
Dexter will also have physiotherapy sessions during school time.
“The biggest fear is that he’ll end up just sitting in a corner and not be involved with anything, but the school is looking like it will be totally the opposite to that and Dexter will be very involved,” Mrs Heffernan said.
It is hoped therapy will result in Dexter eventually being less dependent on his wheelchair and be able to utilise a walker on occasion.
“As for his vision, at the moment we’re working on an Eyegaze system,” his mother said. “So he uses an iPad, but instead of touching it with his fingers he can control the iPad with his eyes.
“The monitor in the Eyegaze is a scanner and it picks up where his eyes are looking, and wherever his eyes are looking is essentially touching the device.
“So he can play games on there… But one day that’ll be something that he’ll be able to use to communicate, answer questions and ask for things.”
Minnamurra Public’s relieving principal Tonia Reynolds said Dexter was one of 58 students starting kindergarten there this year.
“We’ve put a lot of planning in place to get ready for having a child with such special needs, but we’re really looking forward to it.”