Smiles, tears for Alwena

Press, 5 December 1981, Page 1

Smiles, tears for Alwena

Smiles and tears greeted a cured Alwena Pegg when she arrived at Wellington yesterday afternoon from Canada after surgery for epilepsy. At the airport to meet Alwena, aged five, and her parents were friends and well-wishers. “We are proud to bring her home to let everyone see who helped her,” said Mrs Pegg. Mr Pegg said Alwena’s oroeress had been better

than doctors at the Montreal Neurological Institute had expected. Alwena would have threemonthly checks at Wellington Hospital and would also need therapy for the arm and leg on what used to be her "bad side.” Now, said Mr Pegg, after intense training, speech and physiotherapy programmes “there is no reason why after three or four years she should not be the same as anv other child.

“The day after the operation she was jumping up and down on the bed. It was unbelievable.” . “But she is cured,” said Mr Pegg. Though Mr and Mrs Pegg did not see much of Montreal, Montreal knew all about Alwena. When people there heard about her on the radio and television they sent her toys. “She has got all she needs

for Christmas,” said Mrs PeggThe Peggs were able to take Alwena to Montreal for the 535,000 surgery for uncontrollable epilepsy after being sponsored by the Government and receiving donations from the public. Alwena became so attached to the surgeon who performed the operation, Dr Bill Fiendel, that she has made him her “adoptive poppa.”