Strength of young man fighting Hydrocephalus astounds

GLADSTONE lad Ben Valery, 17, recently underwent his 34th brain surgery as he continues his fight against Hydrocephalus disease.

GLADSTONE lad Ben Valery is a fighter, no doubt about that.

He recently underwent his 34th brain surgery as he continued his miraculous fight against the debilitating Hydrocephalus disease.

The affliction is a case of excessive fluid being retained on the brain, causing swelling of the brain and unbearable pressure and pain.

The 17-year-old Gladstone State High School student has battled long and hard, since a young child, to maintain a semblance of a normal life.

He has worked part-time and is in the process of finishing year 12, and his mother Kelleen Windsor said she was amazed at the strength of her son.

"He shouldn't even be here, he is the most amazing human being in the world," she remarked.

"There's no doom and gloom with either of us, he just keeps battling it out, and I can't even explain how strong he is."

Ms Windsor also paid tribute to the staff and fellow students at Gladstone State High School.

"I can't praise them enough for the love and support they've given him," she said.

"I'm stunned at how generous people have been, all these beautiful people that have donated to help us with Ben's fight."

As he prepared for yet another operation, local businesses were collecting to help his cause, with Passions Hair and Beauty at Clinton, and IGA outlets in the area all taking donations to help the brave young man.

Ms Windsor also urged people to help the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Foundation, who were still battling hard to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the relatively unknown disease, to aide future research.