Heart's content at sky-high ride

Saturday, July 19, 2008

THIS youngster has been on a roller-coaster ride all his life.

Yesterday he got the ride he's always wanted, flying over the Cairns Show in a chopper for 10 minutes.

Ten-year-old Jonathon Johnson, from Yarrabah, was born with a hole in his heart.

Dubbed the "little fighter" by his mum, Darlene Bounghi, Jonathon had his first operation at two weeks old. As he grew older, he needed more surgery to repair the hole.

"When he was about eight months old he had a pacemaker inserted but one year later his aorta played up," Ms Bounghi said.

"He's sick all the time but he's a tough little boy."

Ms Bounghi said if her son missed his medication it could become a matter of life or death.

"He can't go home and run around like normal kids do because he will become sick and is likely to drop dead," she said.

Jonathon is back at Cairns Base Hospital this week after a stay at the Mater Children's Hospital in Brisbane.

Children's ward nurse manager Caroline Witter said: "Heart problems prevent him from doing what other normal 10-year-olds would do but he takes it in his stride and copes well."

<strong>Back to earth:</strong> It was thumbs up when Jonathon Johnson, 10, touched down after his 10-minute chopper ride over the Cairns Show.

Back to earth: It was thumbs up when Jonathon Johnson, 10, touched down after his 10-minute chopper ride over the Cairns Show.

<strong>Gotcha:</strong> Police arrest the alleged burglar after a two-hour chase around the streets of Cairns in which he leapt off a balcony into a pool before fleeing on foot and a bicycle.

The great race

Dramatic pictures were taken showing the moment police collared an alleged burglar who attempted a daring triathlon-style escape yesterday morning. more

<strong>Plastic solution:</strong> A plan involving pool-fence style barrier and plastic curtains will see Villa Romana retain most of its outdoor dining area that encroaches on the footpath. Mayor Val Schier has welcomed the compromise.

Mayor makes a deal

THE walls at the Villa Romana restaurant will come tumbling down - only to be replaced by a fence and plastic panels. more

<strong>No laughing matter:</strong> Cairns CIB Det Sen-Sgt Jason Chetham said although the incident appeared to be a hoax, the boy was technically committing a robbery.

Schoolboy hoax sparks gun fears

A HIGH school student pointed a replica pistol at a CBD shop owner in an apparent robbery prank to impress his mates. more

<strong>Just keep paddling:</strong> Bodo Lenitschek and Jane Vincent at the finish line of the 48-hour race.

Our oarsome adventure

BLISTERS, all-over body ache and the odd hallucination - Cairns businessman Bodo Lenitschek experienced it all during a gruelling 742km paddling race over just 48 hours. more

<strong>Anger:</strong> Ocean's Edge landscaper David Poulsen is furious at the theft of grass trees worth $750 from a display garden at Palm Cove.

Low life root of problem

LOW-LIFE jealous thieves have stolen expensive imported plants from landscaper David Poulsen and he wants them back. more

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional. Read our publication guidelines.

Submit your feedback here:

Full name:		Email address:
Location (optional):
Your comments: (max 1200 characters)
	Remember my details (So you don't have to retype your details each time you send feedback.) Email me if my comment is published