Guest guest Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Ethan leaves wheelchair to begin life's adventure BY ANGELA THOMPSON 12/11/2008 4:00:00 AM There is much to discover when you're six years old, but Keiraville's Ethan -Monk is delighting in the thrill of the new more than most. Ethan was one of two children in Australia given the new arthritis drug Tocilizumab in November last year, before clinical trials were even complete. Since then he has taken to a life free from the crippling pain of juvenile arthritis with gusto, shed his wheelchair and joined twin brother Luke on the biggest adventure of his life - kindergarten. On his first day at St Brigid's Primary School in Gwynneville Ethan stood barely as tall as Luke's chin. Now he is 11cm taller, leaving two sets of outgrown school shoes and some astounded adults in his wake. " Luke's the tallest in the class and Ethan was the smallest ... but he's catching up, " the twins' mother Maree -Monk said. " He's grown since he stopped his previous treatment, which was steroids, but I would not have expected the growth to be what it is. " You can't stop him now - he's a dynamo. " He's probably the most outgoing of the three boys but that's such a blessing - we consider ourselves very lucky. " Ethan's incredible progress extends beyond the growth chart. Gone is the little boy who watched as his twin and older brother Blake ran, jumped and swam without him. Ethan has joined a soccer team, signed on for tennis lessons and is a member of the City Beach Nippers. Earlier this month he set a personal best time at swimming lessons and later this week he and Luke will sing a number in the school talent quest. " He's always smiling. He's one of those kids that all the other kids sort of love, " said Ethan's teacher, Amadio. " He's a good participant, he loves to answer questions in class and tries really hard all the time. " He's a pretty energetic little boy. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Ethan is a Legend! Met him at Camp Twinkletoes 2008 (the family weekend for kids under 8 with JIA, we were able to start running this year). His family are really nice people. Looking forward to seeing them today, actually, at a little Christmas party we've been planning. Can't wait to see how much Ethan's grown! I'm SO glad the journo went ahead with this story! I was speaking to her beforehand and they didn't know if it was something to press ahead with (pardon the pun)- so I pushed the wonder drug angle. So a quiet three cheers for (Hip Hip, Hooray x3) A HUGE YAY for Tocilizumab!! Jo Bayly, 6, extended oligo > > Ethan leaves wheelchair to begin life's adventure > BY ANGELA THOMPSON > 12/11/2008 4:00:00 AM > There is much to discover when you're six years old, but Keiraville's Ethan -Monk is delighting in the thrill of the new more than most. > Ethan was one of two children in Australia given the new arthritis drug Tocilizumab in November last year, before clinical trials were even complete. > Since then he has taken to a life free from the crippling pain of juvenile arthritis with gusto, shed his wheelchair and joined twin brother Luke on the biggest adventure of his life - kindergarten. > On his first day at St Brigid's Primary School in Gwynneville Ethan stood barely as tall as Luke's chin. > Now he is 11cm taller, leaving two sets of outgrown school shoes and some astounded adults in his wake. > " Luke's the tallest in the class and Ethan was the smallest ... but he's catching up, " the twins' mother Maree -Monk said. > " He's grown since he stopped his previous treatment, which was steroids, but I would not have expected the growth to be what it is. > " You can't stop him now - he's a dynamo. > " He's probably the most outgoing of the three boys but that's such a blessing - we consider ourselves very lucky. " > Ethan's incredible progress extends beyond the growth chart. > Gone is the little boy who watched as his twin and older brother Blake ran, jumped and swam without him. > Ethan has joined a soccer team, signed on for tennis lessons and is a member of the City Beach Nippers. > Earlier this month he set a personal best time at swimming lessons and later this week he and Luke will sing a number in the school talent quest. > " He's always smiling. He's one of those kids that all the other kids sort of love, " said Ethan's teacher, Amadio. > " He's a good participant, he loves to answer questions in class and tries really hard all the time. > " He's a pretty energetic little boy. " > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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