Radio airs Keira’s cause

Keira Mathewson is a very cute little girl, two months shy of her second birthday.

She also has a brain disease that slows her development, reduces her movement and affects her speech.

Keira, who lives with her parents Julie Lewis and Michael Mathewson at Brassall, will be one of the beneficiaries of the inaugural River 94.9 Variety Friday appeal tomorrow.

“She was born with a rare brain disorder, Miller-Deiker syndrome, which causes partial smoothness of the brain,” Ms Lewis said.

“It means she’s got severe development delay and she’s unable to sit without support.

“We knew late in the pregnancy there were problems but we didn’t know what. She was diagnosed at three months and she’s 22 months now.

“We’re looking for a posture chair with a tray so we can interact with her more and it would be good to have a bath chair because she’s getting a bit bigger so it’s harder to hold her up in the bath.”

Ms Lewis said Keira was “usually pretty quiet” but could be “pretty vocal” at times, like when she was having her photo taken by the QT yesterday.

River 94.9 general manager David Greenwood said the aim of tomorrow’s appeal was to help Variety meet the needs of sick or disabled children.

“We know Variety has helped make a difference to the lives of a lot of local children in the past but they have urgent requests for help every month,” Mr Greenwood said.

“Variety Friday is a great way the community and River 94.9 can work together and provide life-changing equipment.”

The appeal is also supported by the Ipswich City Council, Channel Nine and The Queensland Times.

Mr Greenwood said the station would open its phone lines from 5am tomorrow with goods auctioned off throughout the day.

• To donate, contact Variety on 3367 6999 or visit www.varietyqld.org.au.

© APN News & Media Ltd 2009.