Ambassador Ollie

By Tania Martin
The five-year-old Mt Dandenong boy struggles every day to take his next step but never gives up.
He has been chosen as one of 10 Victorian ambassadors to be the face of Yooralla.
Ollie’s story will be told in the ‘Why Yooralla’ book to be released later this year.
He also has trouble communicating with the outside world.
This lively little boy has severe motor delay, which causes muscle weakness.
Ollie can only take 10 to 20 steps unaided but is fiercely independent and uses crutches and a gator walker to keep him on the move.
His parents, local vet Moss and his wife Christine first discovered Ollie’s condition when he was seven months old.
Mrs Siddle had suspected months earlier that something was wrong but was told her son was a slow developer.
Since then, Ollie has had a number of tests and seen a range of specialists, from pediatricians, neurologists and speech pathologists to orthopedic surgeons.
Initially doctors thought Ollie had a folate deficiency in his celebro-spinal fluid but it is now thought to be a B12 deficiency.
It’s still not clear if Ollie’s inability to talk is linked with his motor relay condition.
He hasn’t let this keep him down – Ollie has learnt sign language and even uses an electronic talker to communicate with family and friends. But Ollie’s condition has improved dramatically since receiving treatment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in December.
Mrs Siddle said he was more confident and could now speak more than 10 words at one time.
She said speech and mobility therapy had made a huge difference in her son.
Ollie also got to test run new treatment in America which wasn’t readily available at home.
He used a Thera Suit which works on improving Ollie’s muscle strength using a Russian space suit.
The Thera Suit includes a vest, kneepads and elastic bands to simulate muscle movement.
Mrs Siddle said she was both shocked and thrilled to see Ollie recognised by Yooralla.
“It’s good to hear good stories like Ollie’s to show that people can get better,” she said.
Mrs Siddle said it was also important to highlight the services that Yooralla could offer to people in similar situations.
“He was chosen as one out of 10 in the state…it’s amazing,” she said. It has been a big couple of weeks for Ollie starting prep at Sassafras Primary School and being named an ambassador.
But this tough little boy is taking it all in his stride.