Sophie Delezio’s dad talks about how his family’s life changed forever after accident
SYDNEYSIDERS have followed the life of Sophie Delezio since a car smashed into her daycare centre leaving her with horrific injuries. Her father Ron says a lot of good can come from tragedy.
LIFE changed forever for the Delezio family when a car smashed into their daughter Sophie’s daycare centre leaving her with third-degree burns to 85 per cent of her body. She went on to lose both feet some fingers and her right ear.
The nation reeled when just three years after the horrific 2003 accident that claimed the life of another little girl, Sophie was hit by a car on a pedestrian crossing.
She suffered a broken jaw, a broken collarbone, nine broken ribs, punctured lungs, 2 fractured vertebrae and a brain injury.
There were plenty of tough times ahead but the Balgowlah Heights family stayed strong with the help of support from others and by focusing on the Day of Difference Foundation which they established in 2004.
Father Ron, 62, said the charity — which has raised $14 million to help sick kids — was now looking at how to support families of children with critical illnesses.
Mr Delezio said parents needed extra support to help deal with the pain and stress of having a seriously ill child — evidenced by statistics that show 80 per cent of parents in those situations divorce and 40 per cent suffer depression.
Mr Delezio admitted he had depression after Sophie was first seriously hurt he but sought help quickly.
He now wants people to know that when bad things happen, “a lot of good” can come from them too.
“When something bad happens in your life and you get through it, then you feel anything is possible.”
“If the accidents had not happened we would not be where we are now,” he said.
“We saw many miracles when Sophie was in hospital and there were also some sad stories. We feel we were lucky.
“When these things happen to you, some people retreat from the world, while others want to help others.”
Sophie is now in Year 10 at Oxford Falls Grammar School an avid rower with ambitions to represent Australia at the Paralympics.
“She is so positive and has a lovely set of friends,” said Mr Delezio, who with wife Carolyn, 56, also has a 16-year-old son Mitchell.
“Sophie still has two to three operations a year, but they don’t faze her,” he said.
“In fact, she has big ambitions.”
Tonight, Mr Delezio will give a talk about his family’s experiences.
The free talk will be at Vision Gym, Sydney Road, Balgowlah, from 6.30pm.
Support the charity online at dayofdifference.org.au.
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