Atalya’s back at school despite losing her sight

Atalya Gould’s just returned to school after major surgery to remove a tumour the size of an orange. But that operations has cost her sight

Atalaya Gould, 12, with mum Renee de Villiers. A benefit night will be held at Holsworthy High School for Atalaya who recently had surgery to remove a large tumour from her brain, but which left her legally blind. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

Her first year in high school was only five days old when doctors discovered the reason for Atalaya Gould’s migraines — a brain tumour the size of an orange.

The tumour has been removed but with it has gone her sight. Atalaya has no vision in her left eye and sees only shadows in her right. Now the 12-year-old Wattle Grove girl has returned to school, pronouncing her first day back as “so good”.

Atalaya is now legally blind following the operation, but is back at school, which she says is “So Good. Her school and parents are holding a fundraiser to assist. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

Atalaya is readjusting to life without many things including her beloved netball.

She played for Liverpool and Moorebank and was a rep selection for South West Sydney but now she can’t even see her teammates in action.

“She dreamt of playing for the Swifts but that all got taken away,” said her mum Renee De Villiers. But returning to Holsworthy High School, initially for two periods a day, has given her a big boost. “She has got the excitement bug so she will push herself. She just wants to go full steam ahead. I am so happy for her,” said Mrs De Villiers. “She has a lot of drive and passion. After all this she wants to be a medical researcher.”

Atalaya reads her school work at close quarters thanks to a magnifying device provided by Vision Australia, which is also marking steps and poles on the campus with bright yellow paint.

Mrs De Villiers said the outlook for Atalaya remained uncertain. The tumour itself was not malignant but tiny parts of it that remain could become malignant and she may need chemotherapy or radiotherapy if that happens. “It’s totally wait-and-see. You are pretty much at the mercy of them.”

They are hoping for an improvement in her eyesight but nothing more can be done and “what she sees in one year is what she will be left with”.

Friend Susan Churchill, whose daughter Emily has been friends with Atalaya for six years, described her as a “beautiful girl”.

She has organised a benefit night at the school on Saturday, July 29, which will include a trivia quiz, raffle and auction. Tickets are $20 each, email benefit for atalayagould@outlook.

com to book.