Condamine couple Kate, Justin Boshammer awarded Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland Hero award

After a rare disease robbed them of their beautiful seven-month old daughter, a Western Downs couple bravely fought through their heartache in a herculean bid to make a difference to the lives of other children and their families.

On the same day they laid their beloved seven-month-old baby girl to rest, a brave Western Downs couple found the strength to channel their grief into helping others, bringing the community together to raise $150,000.

Life took an unexpected turn for Condamine couple Kate and Justin Boshammer when they welcomed precious Zara in April 2020.

After a difficult four months of medical treatments and tests, Zara was diagnosed with Pallister Killian Syndrome, an incredibly rare and life-limiting chromosomal condition with medical and developmental challenges.

Only 1 in 1.3 million children in Australia and 1 in 15 million worldwide are diagnosed with PKS.

“It was personally challenging and isolating time,” Mrs Boshammer said.

“We spent a lot of time with Zara in hospital and as time went by more things were revealed. Once we did have a diagnosis we were able to seek support and guidance from people who’ve been on a similar journey.”

Mrs Boshammer said one of the biggest challenges little Zara had to face was the respiratory issues that came with her diagnosis, and which would eventually take her life on November 2, 2020.

“I was right there with her. Our whole family was able to be there for her in Brisbane,” she said.

“It was heartbreaking. It was just harrowing that she didn’t have the chance at life that she deserved and that she wasn’t able to stay with our family.”

While trying to come to terms with losing their little girl, the Boshammers decided they wanted to do something that would allow them to help others in a similar situation.

After Zara’s funeral, more than 200 people gathered for Zara’s Day at Kate and Justin’s Condamine home where more than $150,000 was raised for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) and the Steve Waugh Foundation, an organisation that supports children and young adults affected by rare diseases.

Two high flow oxygen facilities were also funded for their local hospital in Miles.

“It just brought us hope and we felt so much love and support during that time, while we were trying to navigate such a tough time,” Mrs Boshammer said.

“Being able to help others was something positive to come out of the journey we were on. We are incredibly grateful for the support of our friends, family and community who have walked with us and shared in our grief.”

Justin and Kate Boshammer with their 5-year-old son Theo. Photo/RFDS

The Boshammers last year rallied the community and raised a further $90,000 for their two causes through an online raffle and auction.

Through their tireless efforts with Zara’s Day they have been able to fund new state-of-the-art baby capsules that will benefit children during their flight to hospital with the RFDS, who provided two critical flights for Zara from Miles to Brisbane.

“I don't think we quite realised just how widespread Zara’s impact has been on so many different people and in so many different ways,” Mrs Boshammer said.

“Her story has resonated with people and I’ve had quite a few mums contact me about their own journey’s or their own loss.

“There has been a situation where we've been able to help someone find the diagnosis for their own child because of what we learned through our journey with Zara, so for them that was a huge step forward in finding hope.

“She’s quite an incredible little girl in the ways that she’s touched so many lives. She definitely changed our lives and perspective.”

The couple are now being honoured as the 2021 RFDS Queensland Heroes for their incredible actions in the name of baby Zara.

As a prize for winning the prestigious award, the couple will receive a $7500 grant from Ergon Energy Retail to create or support a healthcare initiative in their community.

“Justin and I would like to use the Ergon Energy Retail grant to offer Nurture workshops in our community to provide important access to health, wellbeing and parenting education to mothers and expectant mothers,” Mrs Boshammer said.