Like lots of teenagers, Tamika is busy rehearsing for an upcoming dance competition. And like lots of other mums, Kellie is busy making the costume!
Kellie describes Tamika as a happy go-lucky kid who smiles her way through just about anything.
At just 15, she's been through some incredibly tough times.
Tamika has spina bifida, as well as an absent left kidney and complications with her remaining kidney.
Doctors diagnosed the condition during Kellie’s 20-week pregnancy scan. She said the diagnosis left them devastated. "It was such a shock. It was an extremely difficult time as we tried to come to terms with what it all meant."
Hospital is part of Tamika's life - sometimes being admitted for weeks at a time. She is unable to walk so uses a wheelchair and needs a bag due to urinary tract infections and kidney problems.
"Tamika's been through so much," her mum says. "We've come close to losing her a few times. Despite everything, she's always in such great spirits."
The demands of hospital and treatment takes its toll on family life. Kellie is now home full-time and dad Corey has had to alter his work arrangements to help care for the children and his parents.
The eldest of three, Tamika's brother Riley, 10 and sister Mikayla, 13 also have health conditions requiring ongoing medical care. Riley has autism, epilepsy and pancreatitis and Mikayla has had childhood arthritis and autoimmune thyroiditis.
Amid so much pain and anguish, Starlight has been there with vital moments of fun and happiness.
The siblings are really close and love spending time together playing games and doing arts and crafts in the Starlight Express Room at Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital.
"Having Starlight there means hospital hasn't been a bad experience for Tamika. Starlight has taken the stress out of everything that's going on with Tamika's health," Kelly said.
The family also enjoyed a much-needed holiday together when Tamika was granted her Starlight Wish. Tamika's wish to go to Queensland gave the family happy memories to treasure forever.
Tamika first discovered Captain Starlight when she was a baby and now, 15 years later she still visits the Starlight Express Room to see the Captains every time she's in hospital. She also loves logging on to the daily quiz on Starlight TV every afternoon after school.
Her mum is so thankful Starlight is there for them:
"Trying to keep kids happy when you have a sick child would be horrible without Starlight. Laughing and having fun takes kids' minds off everything that’s going on in hospital and helps with the healing process."
While Tamika faces ongoing hospital admissions, she is ready to wow the audience in her upcoming dance performance dressed up as none other than Captain Starlight!
