Young Lionel was born with an imperforate anus, an often complex congenital malformation involving a range of anorectal structures, including important nerves and muscles. In his tenth year, and following frustrated attempts to correct the condition in his native Solomon Islands, Lionel found the help he needed through the agency of not-for-profit charity ROMAC and in the person of renowned paediatric surgeon Prof. Roy Kimble at Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane.

Lionel’s treatment – surgery followed by careful monitoring and review of restored function – took over three months. During their stay in Australia, Lionel and his mother Elizabeth were embraced by the Solomon Islands Brisbane Community, whose President Rose Fisher hosted the pair and provided essential interpreting assistance.

Although all childhood illness undoubtedly comes with a psychological impact, arguably none could be greater than that of starting life with a malformed bowel. ROMAC’s help and the surgical intervention of Prof. Kimble means Lionel will now be able to toilet normally and largely be spared the social and self-esteem difficulties he would almost certainly have faced as he grows towards maturity.