By Tate Papworth
Kobi Gorman wasn’t expected to be able to walk until midway through this year, but the 21-month toddler has defied all expectations and will this month stride out with his family in a charity walk.
Kobi was born at 31 weeks gestation due to PPROM (preterm premature rupture of membranes) at the 28-week mark. He weighed just 1.48 kilograms at birth.
His movements had been limited until one day in early January, he “took a giant step”.
Kobi’s mum Kate Gorman said one of the goals they had set for Kobi in physio this year was to get him moving.
“He wasn’t able to sit by himself until 12 months old and had never been able to crawl, so we didn’t think walking would happen any time soon,” she said.
“He started pulling himself up by the couch, then one day he just let go and took off. There was no crawling first – he was just so determined and wanted to move to follow his big brother and sister.”
At Kobi’s last physio appointment the family decided taking part in WalkWest would be a fitting way to celebrate his welcome milestone.
WalkWest is an annual event for the Western Health Foundation. Proceeds from this year’s event will go towards the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The event comprises a two, five or 10-kilometre walk or run which can be entered individually or as part of a team.
Ms Gorman said her family plans to take part as a large team to support Kobi.
“We’ve got our entire immediate family taking part and we’ve also extended the invite to our extended family,” she said.
Ms Gorman said she’s got double reason to support the walk. “I’m actually a Western Health employee, so it’s good to see money being raised for the hospital,” she said.
The walk will be held at Footscray Park on Sunday, March 24 from 8am.
To register visit: www.walkwest.com.au
