By KATH GANNAWAY
BRADLEY Bola said a grateful farewell to Wandin Rotary Club members last week, saying Rotary and ROMAC had been instrumental in changing his life.
Bradley, 19, is on his fourth visit to Australia from Papua New Guinea for the final in a series of operations sponsored by ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children).
Bradley suffers from a condition called Crouzon Syndrome which affects the growth of the skull and results in abnormal growth of the head and face.
The complex and challenging operations, not available in PNG, began when he was just 18 months old with maxillofacial surgeon Associate Professor Andrew Heggie leading a team of doctors who donated their services.
Wandin and Healesville Rotary clubs have taken Bradley under their broad wings, establishing strong and personal relationships and helping him and his family through the good and the challenging times of his surgery and recovery.
Bradley had the final operation recently and attended a week-long personal development camp as part of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award.
He said the experience was amazing, meeting new friends and developing confidence after overcoming his initial nervousness.
“One of the goals I set was being confident and I achieved that and one of my other goals which was to be supportive of others,” he said.
His confidence was obvious as he spoke of the condition he has lived with all his life and his 19 years of treatment in Australia.
The surgery was extensive and life-changing.
He said the final surgery was on his nose and realigning his eyes.
“Now I am very handsome,” he joked.
More seriously, he thanked the medical teams and the Rotarians who had been with him all his life.
“I am so thankful for all these wonderful people … I cannot express how happy I am,” he said.
Bradley will return to Papua New Guinea, where he hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
