Her son’s limping gait puzzled Nicole Maislinger. His mother thought at first that he probably sustained an injury playing soccer, which would only become apparent later. The eight-year-old himself remained calm. At first he didn’t complain about pain, says the 34-year-old. “But the hatching just kept getting worse.”

Sebastian had to hang up his shirt, socks and football boots in February. An orthopedist diagnosed Perthes’ disease. The disease is triggered by a circulatory disorder and can lead to the death of the femoral head in affected children. Sebastian’s bones had already begun to crumble. “As if a mouse had eaten it” – this is how Nicole Maislinger describes the first X-ray image. But that was just the beginning, the decay progressed unusually fast. An operation was inevitable.

sports ban

While his friends started the new school year, Sebastian had to stay in bed. He was not allowed to put weight on his legs for six weeks. A sports ban was imposed on the young kicker. Running and jumping were taboo. His club colleagues from UVB Vöcklamarkt gave him their backing. They enabled a stair lift, which now takes the eight-year-old from the apartment door on the second floor to the ground floor. “That was urgently needed, we don’t have an elevator in the house,” says the single mother.

It will be a while before her son is back on his feet. How long that can not be predicted. “Sebastian is still limping badly. He pulls up the healthy hip. The crooked gait will probably remain for the next two years,” says the 34-year-old, who is currently on maternity leave. Sebastian’s brother Lukas is one year old. “If the little one allows it, I’ll also be a teacher,” she says. Homeschooling will soon come to an end. The third grader gets a custom-made desk at the elementary school in Vöcklamarkt. “So that his wheelchair fits under it.” A stair lift will also be installed. So Sebastian can at least return to everyday school life. “We have to make the best of the situation. I’m glad he hasn’t lost his smile yet,” says his mother.

hope of return

With rehab, therapies and aids, her eldest son should slowly get back on his feet. Despite his limitations, he should be allowed to be a child. Financially, however, the options are limited, especially when it comes to special forms of therapy. With the help of donations from the OÖN-Christkindl, this obstacle could be overcome. The boy still has an operation ahead of him. After that, he wants to run back onto the soccer field – and cheer with his team.

The most traditional fundraiser in the country

The OÖN Christkindl was founded in 1964. Since then, donations for Upper Austrians in need have been collected every year. All costs for the handling of the campaign are financed by the OÖ Nachrichten itself. Every euro goes where it is urgently needed. If you would like to help others in difficult situations, you can transfer a donation to the Christkindl account AT94 2032 0000 0011 1790 (IBAN).

You can also help with a visit to the traditional Christkindl Gala on Friday, December 9th in the Linzer Schauspielhaus. Artists from Upper Austria put themselves at the service of a good cause on this evening. The net proceeds of the event benefit the Christkindl. You can purchase tickets at nachrichten.at/christkindl.