Katey Higgs (Banksia Grove) and her son Finlay (3).
Camera IconKatey Higgs (Banksia Grove) and her son Finlay (3). Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Banksia Grove boy who overcame cancer odds wins dance scholarship for Kindy Dance Time

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

HE may only be three, but Finlay Higgs’s enthusiasm for dance has already earned him a scholarship.

The Banksia Grove boy won the inaugural boys dance scholarship for Kindy Dance Time in Landsdale.

His mother Katey said Finlay had always loved bopping away to music and it has helped him get through a rare form of childhood cancer.

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When he was 18 months old, doctors diagnosed him with stage four high-risk hepatoblastoma and gave him a 30 per cent chance of survival.

“Finlay is our fair haired hero,” his mother said.

“He has had so much treatment, complications, surgery and side effects as result of his ongoing treatment, but he has been so strong and really is a miracle.

“Finlay has had hearing loss due to the toxicity of his chemotherapy and has physical delays and osteoporosis requiring treatment, yet none of this stops him.

“He has the strongest will to live of anyone I have ever met.

“Music therapy got him through many difficult days and even when he was the most sick and weak we could always get a smile from him with music.

“Now whenever music is on he can’t help himself, but to dance along; he has some pretty impressive moves too.”

Kindy Dance Time director Lara Gandini set up the yearlong scholarship to encourage a love of dance in boys from a young age.

“Dance in early childhood stimulates learning experiences above and beyond sporting activities,” she said.

“Kindy Dance Time prides itself on a non gender specific dance program for two to five-year-old boys and girls which is fun and stress free.”

The director said it was difficult to choose just one recipient from the 23 applications received.

“When I read Finlay’s story we just knew we could help this very special little boy who has not had anywhere near the same opportunities other little boys his age have to date,” she said.