living proof miracles can happen

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HREF="id300.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Clues to Nf1">Clues to Nf1</A></div> <div> living proof miracles can happen</div> <div> <B>JOEL Ronayne is living proof miracles can happen.</B></div> <div> By Kate Sikora</div> <div> October 17, 2007 12:00am</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="14595ef00.jpg" border=0 width="350" height="240" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Less than five years ago, the eight-year-old could not walk due to the rare and aggressive degenerative disease neurofibromatosis, or NF1, which eats away at the bone.</div> <bR> <div> But with a world-first groundbreaking treatment, Glenwood boy now dreams of playing for Parramatta Eels.</div> <bR> <div> As a hero for the Children's Hospital, Westmead, Joel will be busy this week preparing for the annual Teddy Bear's Picnic on Sunday, when he will be reunited with friends from his second home.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Miracle ... Joel Ronayne. Picture: Troy Bendeich </I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>"I like jumping on the trampoline," he told </B><I><B>The Daily Telegraph</B></I><B>.</B></div> <bR> <div> Joel was the first person in the world to be treated with a combination of drugs which have earned Professor David Little international recognition.</div> <bR> <div> The modest paediatrician tries to downplay his achievements but has just presented his findings in the US.</div> <bR> <div> "We had a very good result with Joel. There are others who are treating this disorder so I can't claim to have a world first," he said.</div> <bR> <div> "What we are doing is being backed up by science. It is very well regarded."</div> <bR> <div> Professor Little combined a protein, BMP, which makes bones, and another drug, zoledronic acid, which slows down the resorption of bones.</div> <bR> <div> Initially doctors believed Joel had a broken leg. When it did not heal they realised his condition was more serious.</div> <bR> <div> After 17 operations, Joel came close to having his leg amputated.</div> <bR> <div> But it was the decision of Professor Little, head of the Orthopaedic Research and Biotechnology Unit, take a chance that saved Joel's leg.</div> <bR> <div> His mother Barbara yesterday praised Professor Little.</div> <bR> <div> "I could kiss the ground that man walks on," she said.</div> <bR> <div> "I had other doctors telling me to amputate his leg. Joel runs around now like a normal boy."</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22596676-5001021,00.html" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/st"><I><B>Link to article</B></I></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NF TEAM"><IMG SRC="05a471e0.jpg" border=0 width="71" height="30" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>