Ben Plunkett

For Phoenix, and every step still ahead

My son Phoenix has been fighting since the day he was born.

He arrived at just 23 weeks, weighing only 540 grams and measuring 29 centimetres. Within his first few days of life, he suffered multiple brain bleeds. The beginning of his story was filled with uncertainty, but Phoenix has spent the two and a half years since showing us just how determined he is.

Today, he is the cheekiest, funniest and cutest little boy I could ever wish for. He goes to daycare, has his little friends, loves making us laugh, and is constantly finding new ways to explore the world around him.

For Phoenix, progress often comes in small steps that mean an enormous amount.

He is becoming stronger and more adventurous, pulling himself up onto things and working out how to manoeuvre himself around. He is getting increasingly close to climbing over the side of his floor bed, which is equal parts exciting and terrifying as his dad. His eating has also slowly improved, and while he still relies heavily on tube feeding, he is showing more interest in food and continuing to make progress in his own time.

None of this happens in isolation.

Since the beginning, Phoenix has been surrounded by incredible people helping him reach his potential. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dietitians, ophthalmologists and many others have supported him along the way.

And alongside all of that professional support, he has been incredibly lucky to have his mum by his side, essentially 24/7 since day one. Through the appointments, therapies, feeding, sleepless nights, setbacks, tiny wins and big milestones, she has been there advocating for him, caring for him and helping him keep moving forward.

He has recently had Botox treatment in his legs as part of that ongoing journey, and there is always another goal ahead.

Next year, he will start kinder.

When I think back to the tiny 540-gram baby fighting for his life, that sentence alone feels extraordinary.

This STEPtember, I’m fundraising for Phoenix, but also for every person with cerebral palsy and every family relying on the therapies, equipment, research and support that can make such a profound difference.

Phoenix would not be where he is today without people investing their time, expertise and care into giving him every opportunity possible.

If his story has moved you, I’d be incredibly grateful if you could support my STEPtember fundraiser. Every donation, no matter the size, helps create more opportunities for people with cerebral palsy to keep moving forward, one hard-earned step at a time.