There's absolutely no hesitation when 11-year-old Rose is asked about the highlight of her Starlight Wish. "I was chosen to feed the dolphins at Sea World! I'd never met a dolphin before" she laughs, "so that was my absolute favourite part. I got to feed them fish!"
For parents Catriona and Stephen, Rose's Starlight Wish trip to the Gold Coast was a fantastic reward following her lifetime of hospitals and surgeries.
Rose was born with Congenital Short Femur, meaning her left leg was significantly shorter than her right, and her hip and knee joints unstable.
Discovered at their 35-week scan, the life-changing condition came as a complete shock to Catriona and Stephen. There was very little information available to them, and doctors debated the best way forward. The first-time parents found themselves facing an avalanche of confusion and stress at what should have been the happiest time of their lives.
Rose was placed in the ICU and then the high dependency unit for weeks after she was born. After a traumatic birth experience, the first-time parents were devastated to have to leave the hospital without their new baby.
Over the years Rose has endured countless surgeries to help correct her condition. Her first, at just three months old, saw her placed in a full plaster cast for three months.
At five years old, Rose had a knee reconstruction, and at six she had her femur lengthened. Unfortunately, the lengthening resulted in a fracture, a setback which required further surgery to repair. Then, at eight, Rose had her tibia lengthened. In between these major surgeries, Rose has endured others to removes plates and screws used to stabilise her leg, each time needing time in a wheelchair or on crutches to aid her recovery.
Despite a childhood filled with hospital visits and painful procedures, Rose has grown into a confident, outgoing, and positive young girl. In fact, mum Catriona says Rose even loves going to the hospital, thanks to everyone who makes her time there so special.
Top of the list is Captain Starlight, who has been by Rose's side bringing fun and laughter throughout her childhood in hospital.
"I love to see the Captains and do cool activities," says Rose.
When Rose is confined to her bed, Captain Starlight delivers craft packs to help keep Rose busy and smiling.
"You can play Bingo too on Starlight TV which is really exciting. So I'm not bored sitting in my bed," says Rose.
For Catriona and Stephen, Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Room have been essential to keeping the whole family positive throughout their long medical journey.
Being able to visit the Starlight Express Room when Rose is well enough has made their hospital time so much easier.
"The Starlight Express Room has been invaluable. Being there 24 hours a day, it is somewhere we can all go for some great entertainment for Rose, and some breathing space for us. The Starlight Express Room changes the dynamic from pain and sadness to happiness and fun, and gives the kids back some choice on how their day goes."
Ensuring Rose has as much of a voice as is possible is important to the family. When Rose was granted a Starlight Wish it was a fantastic opportunity for Catriona and Stephen to let her take control.
Rose chose the fun and adventure of Starlight's Wish Week on the Gold Coast as her wish.
"I felt like I needed a holiday" says Rose "and through Wish Week I could meet new people, and have a longer experience."
And what an experience it was!
Visting Queensland for the first time, Rose had a ball living the VIP life at the theme parks. In addition to meeting and feeding the incredible dolphins at SeaWorld, learning to Surf with Mick Fanning and Brooke Hanson at Currumbin Beach was also a special highlight.
Having other families who understand the challenges they face made the time extra special for Rose and her parents. "I made lots of friends with everyone" Rose reports happily, while Catriona really values the special memories they made as a family.
To those who support Starlight, Catriona and Stephen's message is a simple one;
"All we can say is 'Thank you'. Starlight really do make such an incredible difference to families like ours".
