Maya Robertson (8), who suffered second-degree burns on her foot, poses with Stitches the Bear.
Camera IconMaya Robertson (8), who suffered second-degree burns on her foot, poses with Stitches the Bear. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Robertson family fundraising to thank Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation

Pia van StraalenCanning Gazette

A regular Saturday night cooking dinner at home quickly unravelled when Maya Robertson spilled boiling hot food on her foot. Wearing boots at the time, the scorching food slipped down the side of her boot and became stuck, causing a second-degree burn across her right foot.

Maya’s mother Rachael Robertson said the youngster underwent specialist skin graft surgery at PMH and had to wear a compression sock for many months to help ensure the recovery of her skin.

“With burns injuries it is a really long healing process,” Mrs Robertson said.

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“We needed to keep the wound moisturised morning and night. Maya saw a physiotherapist initially because when she was starting to walk again it was difficult to put weight on the burn, so she used a wheelchair for a while.

“Maya had always been very active and loves dancing, trampolining and playing netball, which were things she couldn’t do for quite some time. Now thanks to regular therapy she is back doing all the things she loves to do and her foot has healed well.”

To thank the hospital staff the family formed Maya’s Mob, a group of walkers who raised funds in the John Hughes Big Walk last Sunday.

Mrs Robertson said fundraising was an important way for the family to thank the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“We learnt it can happen to anyone – that’s why we’re fundraising for the Foundation to continue supporting the hospital,” she said.

“It’s not something you expect will happen but when it does, it just happens so fast and can have a huge impact on your child’s life and your family’s life.”

Participants in this year’s walk last weekend at Burswood Park were encouraged to “walk for a ward” and choose one of 12 different areas at the hospital to direct their fundraising towards.

The John Hughes Big Walk encouraged participants to ‘go at their own pace’.