Rockhampton single mother thankful after charity helped her save child’s life

The stress of raising a sick child as the sole breadwinner was unlike anything one single mum had endured. But she knew she was not forgotten as ‘the world kept spinning’.

Rockhampton single mother Kellee Clinton has thanked non-profit charity Redkite for their financial support after she was forced to quit her job to save her son Tye’s life.

Rockhampton single mother Kellee Clinton has thanked non-profit charity Redkite for their financial support after she was forced to quit her job to save her child’s life.
Tye was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour called Craniopharyngioma in March 2022 when he was 15 years old.

As a result, she made the difficult decision to leave her full-time job to care for him, which meant driving seven hours to Brisbane for his treatment at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Tye was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2022.

Kellee said Tye’s condition was a rare condition which would affect Tye for his entire life.

“It’s an extremely rare brain tumour... it’s a lifelong disease that he will have for the rest of his life.”
Tye has undertaken surgery and treatment, but remains in a painful and difficult condition.

“He had a bit of brain injury from the surgery, they removed his pituitary glands so his body makes no hormones; his life is dependent on a lot of different medication... he’s half blind from the tumour,” Kellee said.

“He takes about 20-25 tablets a day and has three injections a day.
“He has no sleep cycle, he can’t control his body temperature.
“He already had autism, OCD and a lot of anxiety before this.”
Kellee said playing music was a good distraction for Tye.
“Music has probably been the one thing, his little saviour... he likes to play acoustic guitar, electric guitar and electric piano... he’s very talented in that department.”

Kellee said Tye still likes to play music despite his condition.

Kellee said the stress of raising a sick child while remaining as the sole breadwinner was unlike anything she had dealt with before.

“I don’t think my body has ever been through so much stress in my entire life... you want to be with your child, but life goes on - the world keeps spinning and the bills keep coming,” she said.

“Eventually my annual leave and holiday pay ran out - and then it just became scary.”
Kellee’s situation was softened by the support from Redkite, a non-profit organisation that provides support to the families of children struck by cancer.

“(They provide) financial support, they help pay your bills, they help with fuel vouchers, food vouchers,” she said.

“They don’t forget about you. When something like this happens, initially everybody is shocked and worried about you, but then life goes on - people have their lives.

“The fact that they continue caring and supporting is a big thing.

“I had no idea anything like Redkite existed until somebody told me.”
Kellee has now resumed employment and has been offered a part-time store management role.
“It’s only 24 hours a week, but it means I can still keep my payments,” she said.
“There is nothing more important in this world than a child’s life.”

Originally published as Rockhampton single mother thankful after charity helped her save child’s life