Alannah Kiefer is your average seven-year-old; she loves Play-Doh, solving puzzles and making new friends.
But her friendly demeanour also means she has no road sense or an understanding of stranger danger.
“[Alannah] has an undiagnosed syndrome,” mum Caroline Kiefer said.
“It’s a genetic condition that affects her in many different ways.
“She has a speech impairment, she has seizures and [she has] sensory and developmental delay.”
Ms Kiefer said her family was always on “high alert” just in case Alannah puts something inappropriate in her mouth.
In the past, she’s drunk bath water, eaten sand and put Play-Doh in her mouth, which can cause her to choke.
“You have to have eyes on the back of your head,” Ms Kiefer said.
“You have to watch her constantly. It’s very difficult to relax and not be on high alert.”
Alannah was referred to Very Special Kids (VSK) when she was an infant.
The charity organisation offers counselling and support to families who have a child with a life-threatening condition.
In December, Alannah was paired with Lisa Vasiliadis, who comes to the family home at least once a month to play with Alannah and help out the Kiefer family.
“I’ve got a few hours in my month to spare to help another parent relax,” Ms Vasiliadis said.
“I gel really well with the family; we’re like friends. I don’t feel like I’m volunteering. I feel like I’m there just to hang out.”
And Ms Kiefer is grateful for the couple of hours in a month she can sit down, relax, have a cup of coffee and chat to her husband. “There’s another set of eyes on her so it means we can relax a little bit more,” Ms Kiefer said.
“Alannah is very demanding; Lisa gives us a chance to relax and let down our guard.”
How you can help
VSK is calling for more Melton residents to donate their time to help out local families.
From 6.30-7.30pm on Thursday, March 12, at the VSK offices, 321 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, there will be an information session about how to be a volunteer.
For more information about volunteering, visit vsk.org.au/events/volunteer-information-session-2.
