Whittlesea Preschool rallies behind Alexis during stroke recovery

Whittlesea’s Alexis Davies has had to endure a lot in her first four years. After the youngster fought leukaemia, two strokes left her paralysed down one side of her body. As she begins her recovery, a Whittlesea preschool is digging deep to help get her back on her feet.

Alexis Davies with her mother Kirrily Payne in 2017.

Alexis Davies, 4, is no stranger to life’s cruel blows.

The preschooler was diagnosed with Pre B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when she was just 23-months-old.

After undergoing gruelling cancer treatment, doctors cleared her into remission last October.

Then in April the Whittlesea youngster and her family suffered another devastating blow when Alexis had two strokes which left her paralysed on her right side, unable to speak and in an induced coma.

Alexis’ mother Kirrily Payne said her brave little girl spent five weeks at the Royal Children’s Hospital learning to speak and walk again.

The strokes had changed the once “loud and crazy” Alexis into a child who is “more reserved”, Ms Payne said.

“She gets tired a lot quicker now and her mental capability isn’t as great as it could be.”

Despite the set backs, Alexis had returned to spending time with her friends at Whittlesea Preschool as well as completing regular speech, occupational and physio therapies.

Alexis completes occupational therapy.

On Friday, Alexis and her friends will don disco gear and glow sticks as part of a disco fundraiser to raise funds for her ongoing rehabilitation.

Ms Payne said she “burst into tears” when she heard of the preschool disco.

“We only moved to Whittlesea two years ago,” she said.

“It is so nice to know we have such a supportive community.”

As well as recovering from the strokes, Alexis is expected to undergo cardiology surgery to fix a hole in her heart.

To support Alexis in her ongoing fight donate funds to: Alexis Davies, BSB: 063533, Account: 10827971