Tumours won't stop Haiden

Haiden Kelly looks and acts like any other 10-year-old boy.

He loves his sport, fights with his brother and enjoys school.

What many people would not know is Haiden has neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare condition which causes tumours to grow on nerves throughout the body.

Haiden has seven tumours.

A tumour on the optic nerve has left Haiden blind in his left eye and an internal tumour has affected the use of his left hand, but his mother, Ellie Oliver, said it had not stopped him from being involved with extra-curricular activities and playing football for the Baldivis Brumbies.

Haiden said his life was just like everybody else's, but he sometimes had trouble catching a ball.

Mrs Oliver said an eye specialist discovered Haiden's condition through an MRI scan, after he failed an eye exam in kindergarten.

"Looking back, it was quite scary, and the first thing I did was go on Google and you hear all the worst tales on Google," she said.

Haiden had needed chemotherapy when he was eight because the tumour behind his eye was growing, but since then the tumours had remained stable, she said.

Haiden has yearly eye exams and MRI scans to monitor his condition.

"We just take every day as it comes," Mrs Oliver said.

In light of NF Awareness month, the family encouraged everyone to visit www.ctf.org.au to learn more about the condition and consider donating to the Children's Tumour Foundation of Australia, the peak national body for NF research.

Sunday, May 17, marks World NF Awareness Day. To get involved visit www.everydayhero.com.au/event/step-up-for-nf .