Finding His Voice

When Lee-vin arrived at St Joseph‘s in November 2025, he had already endured a five-month battle with a Grade 4 medulloblastoma. Admitted as a palliative patient, he was unable to speak, relied on a tracheostomy and feeding tube, and had very limited movement or means of communication.

Through the dedicated care of our multidisciplinary team and the unwavering support of his family, Lee-vin has made remarkable progress. He has regained strength and mobility, can now propel his own wheelchair, and has progressed from communicating through gestures and hand squeezes to smiling, speaking and engaging in meaningful conversations.

While he still faces challenges with swallowing and continues to receive enteral feeding, his respiratory health has improved significantly, and he now successfully uses a speaking valve.

The photograph below captures a milestone that once seemed unimaginable – Lee-vin sitting out of bed, using an iPad during speech-language therapy to build his communication skills. It is a powerful reminder that, with specialised care, patience and hope, children can achieve far more than their initial prognosis suggests.