By MELISSA MEEHAN
HE DREAMS of selling lemonade in the desert, but an inoperable brain tumour means that Tjitjin Compton may never see that through.
His tumour is sitting on the optic nerve, leaving the nine-year-old from Gembrook legally blind – but his illness hasn’t stopped his lust for life or sense of humour.
Just last week he celebrated his birthday at the movies with friends and is well-known for cracking jokes at school.
Mum Sonia said Tjitjin’s rare condition, neurofibromatosis, affected one in 2500 kids.
“It’s a condition that makes tumours on your nerves throughout the body – in Tjitjin’s case it is in the chiasm in his brain,” she said.
“It’s wrapping around his optic nerves and causing him to go blind.”
Deciding to opt for something other than chemotherapy, Sonia plans to take her son to Jakarta to see a doctor known for his work helping people with tumours.
When his principal Justin Butler heard about the trip, he offered the school hall so that a trivia night fund-raiser could be held to help Sonia and Tjitjin.
Since then a number of local businesses have also donated prizes.“Justin and the whole Selby Primary School community have been so great,” Sonia said.
“They’ve even painted poles in the school bright yellow to help Tjitjin get around.
“Their support has just been so wonderful.”
Mr Butler said the school always tried to help those in the community who needed it, and that Tjitjin was a special young man.
“He’s got a vibrant personality,” Mr Butler said.
“From the first time I met him, he’s just been so full of life, telling me jokes and having a chat.”
The trivia night will be held on Saturday 20 September from 7pm at the Selby Primary School Hall at 2 Morely Street, Selby.
Tickets cost $15 for adults and children are free.
To purchase tickets, simply donate the amount equivalent for each ticket you need at the following website http://www.gofundme.com/d2vyd8, and you will receive a receipt on payment and present the receipt at the door, or limited tickets will be available on the door.
