Tyler Fishlock's feeling just fine
Grant McArthur, January 05, 2009 12:00am
CANCER may have claimed his eyes almost three years ago, but Tyler Fishlock can still see - just differently from most people.
In his first year of school Tyler, 6, learned to read and write braille at grade 3 level, and excelled at maths, art and physical education.
And he can't wait to start grade 1 this year.
"The best part of school is doing show and tell, because I get to feel what everyone has," he said.
"I like braille, because it tells me a lot of things.
"And I have a computer that talks to me.
"And I love writing about my toys."
Tyler became an inspiration to thousands of Victorians after losing a second eye to retinoblastoma in February 2006.
Everyone, from players at his beloved Richmond Football Club to complete strangers from overseas, offered support.
Tyler's mother, Georgette Fishlock, said he continued to touch hearts.
"We have received more than 1500 letters this year with people wanting updates about how he's doing," Ms Fishlock said.
"We always write back - Tyler brailles it and then I write on it so they can read it.
"I just say to Tyler, you are special (and people write) because of the outlook you have on life, and that you use everything you have been given to get the best out of life, and that makes you special in a way.
"But he is no different to any other kid. He comes out to me and says he can't find something and I say 'Tyler, open your eyes up and go and find it' - the only difference is that his eyes are his fingers.
"At the end of the day Tyler still sees, he just sees with his hands."
Life is finally starting to return to normal after the upheaval of the operations.
Tyler loves bike riding and roller-skating, with only his father Brad's voice to lead him in the right direction.
Last week he added tenpin bowling to his achievements, beating his parents and sister Madeleine, 11, and even being asked to join a junior team.
"We are trying to bring him up just like any other child," Mr Fishlock said.
"We are trying to help him understand that everyone has different challenges in life and everyone has different ways of overcoming them."
While 2008 was a huge year for Tyler adapting to life at Caroline Springs College, it was even bigger for his mother, who had to place trust in others to take care of him.
She was overwhelmed with the number of school friends Tyler made.
"I was absolutely terrified because it wasn't just leaving him - I had spent every single minute of every day with him and he was my shadow stuck to my side," Ms Fishlock said.
"But they have been blown out of the water with his progress.
"He can sit at his computer and write just about any story on his own.
"He is a walking dictionary. He will come out and quote whole lines from books.
"I am so happy for him because this is what we've always wanted for both our kids - to live a normal life and integrate as much as possible so he can go as far as he wants to.
"I had to trust strangers with his welfare and the whole letting him off into the big-bad-world, and wondering how the kids would accept him.
"But he has friends all the way through from prep to year 9."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24872780-661,00.html
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