“It is almost a year-long process to establish if a hemispherectomy will help to reduce seizures and improve quality of life. But to be honest, at that time Alexey was not living, he was surviving. This surgery, despite how horrible it sounds, was his chance to have a better life.”
Loading
Recovery was far from easy. It took three years of intensive rehabilitation before he was able to walk, talk, and begin to move his left arm again.
A breakthrough came with the introduction of a pioneering robotic therapy device, the first of its kind in Australia, funded by the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Regaining the use of his left arm meant Alexey could progress from using hydrotherapy as rehab to competitive swimming, and since then he hasn’t looked back.
Now, as the face of PCHF’s 2025 Tax Appeal, Alexey is helping raise awareness and support for the next generation of robotic rehab tech – the same kind that helped transform his life.
Sixteen-year-old Alexey now trains six days a week, rising at 4.30am to swim up to four kilometres each morning before school.
In the afternoons, he hits the gym to build strength. He’s the captain of his swimming club, volunteers with junior swimmers, and is studying to become a technical official for competitions.
Alexey competes nationally, holds five Australian para swimming records for his age, and has his sights firmly set on the Paralympics.
Alexey said he loved that rehabilitation with his therapists had allowed him to do things that were previously impossible.
“Swimming was always my thing, I swim as long as I can remember myself. I don’t think about being good at it, I enjoy it,” he said.
Loading
“The Paralympics is a great goal to look forward to but having fun at the pool and lots of training is what I enjoy the most.”
With advances in rehab robotics continuing at pace, the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation is working to bring a new, more advanced robotic arm to Perth to further revolutionise upper limb therapy.
Its appeal aims to raise funds by June 30 to help bring this revolutionary device to WA.
The device will support earlier, more precise therapy, including finger control and movement against gravity, helping children achieve everyday milestones like feeding themselves, tying their shoes or hugging loved ones.
“This new technology will be a game-changer,” says Jenny Colgate, Senior Occupational Therapist at PCH.
“If we can help WA kids earlier, we can offer the greatest chance of long-term functional recovery.”
Despite living with cerebral palsy and vision loss, Alexey’s life was filled with happiness and joy, said Colgate – who added that people want to give for a cure, but sometimes learning to live with things was as important as fixing them.
“It’s very important to support children and families who have fought so hard to survive and give those children the best care and the best opportunities in life,” said Anna.
