In the story of his brother’s life, Owen Barry has assumed the role of accidental teacher.
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Not in the ways one might expect, but in every way that matters.
Born 14 weeks premature, in April 2009, Owen and Ethan defied the odds to survive.
But while Ethan slowly thrived, his tiny identical twin has been left to battle a life with cerebral palsy.
However, with hope for Owen’s progress on the horizon the Aberglasslyn brothers have fronted a public campaign to raise money for Owen to travel to America for new treatment.
The Barrys need to raise $16,000 to make the journey to Los Angeles in the middle of the year.
“We are willing to pay more for extra services, but Australia doesn’t offer any intense physiotherapy programs for children like Owen,” Owen’s mother, Jodine Barry, said.
A month after their birth, the twins became sick with Owen suffering a loss of oxygen to his brain causing extensive damage.
“They both got sick, but Owen got sicker than Ethan,” Jodine said.
Mrs Barry and husband Matthew have enrolled Owen in a three-week program at a neurological and physical rehabilitation centre in LA.
During this therapy Owen will wear a Neurosuit, which frames the body to provide support and resistance simultaneously.
“This treatment is not going to make Owen get up and walk, that’s not going to happen, but if he could use his right arm more and we can correct his body strength a bit, then that would be a huge change for him,” Mrs Barry said.
“We’re trying to be realistic.”
Beyond the science of Owen’s condition and his much hoped for improvement, is the love of, and for, his brother.
“It’s great for Owen to have Ethan around because it pushes him along,” Mrs Barry said.
“Ethan’s only starting to realise that Owen can’t do what he can, but he doesn’t see Owen as different.
“And Ethan will do anything to help his brother, so Owen doesn’t just have us, Ethan will also be there.”
Opportunities for Owen will hold a sausage sizzle at Rutherford Woolworths on Saturday from 10am to 2pm.
For more information about the campaign phone Mrs Barry on
0438 307 436.