He's usually willing to have a go at anything, even if he needs support to do it.
At the moment, he is learning to use his eyes to control a computer. He can play games, using his eyes and is learning to use a range of categories to create computer-voiced sentences.
Dexter's sister is about to start school. She loves her brother. She has had dreams, seeing Dexter walk to her and talk. She knows to be inclusive and patient. She is learning to care for her brother, by watching us. She is clever and strong and determined, just like Dexter.
We hope she hears good things about Dexter, when she is at school and we cannot protect her. We know kids are curious and will talk about Dexter and his disabilities. We know some kids can say very hurtful things. We hope his sister is strong enough to hear them, without us standing behind her.
We hope she can continue to be proud of her brother.
Dexter is a happy, determined, kind and cheeky little boy, with a wicked sense of humour.
Though his disabilities are severe and there are many of them, he wants to be involved in everything. He loves adventure and fun and loves to explore his world.
Dexter is a childhood cancer survivor, beating hepatoblastoma (liver cancer) which was found when he was 13 months old.
As a baby, Dexter spent 122 days in three Neo-natal Intensive Care Units. He was a sick baby, who struggled to gain weight. He fought countless infections and bouts of pneumonia, had too many tests to remember and fought, every single day.
Now, we fight for him, so people might know him and not be intimidated by his disabilities. The more people who know him, the more people see his strengths, the better it is for Dexter.
He really is an awesome little kid.
Here's the short, kid-friendly introduction to Dexter.
There's a longer video for adults after this one.
There are more videos on his you tube channel.
It took Dexter about six years to learn to smile and play, and we love every one of his smiles.
His laugh melts our hearts.
If anyone has any questions about Dexter, we would be happy to try to answer them.
We want to help to break down barriers and stereotypes. We want to help raise people's expectations.
In 2013 we wrote a post, filled with links to other posts, It has pictures and videos, which help to explain more about Dexter's first years. When you read it all in one go, you realise how incredible he is. Here's the link.
When Your Heart Aches with Sadness
Flying Fox Fun
When Six is too Young to have a Disability
$37,000 and a Van
Mum was Crying in the Ball Pit
What a Dollar means to Dexter
When Wheelchair Stops Being a Dirty Word
Stuck in a Rut
Embrace the Lion
Open Letter Thanking Parents for the Parties
I’m a Kindy Kid! Kindergarten in Review
Dexter's First Month
Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
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