Leigh Features
Brave Felicia an inspiration to all
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| Felicia Cantone with her dog Fifi Pictures: STEVE O'CONNELL AMJ6T3 |
A BRAVE girl returned to school just two days after she had her leg amputated to prevent the spead of bone cancer.
Felicia Cantone, ten, is still waiting to receive a prosthetic leg, but she missed her friends at school so much she decided to return for lessons in her wheelchair.
The popular youngster, who attends North Street Junior School, in Leigh, has been fighting a type of cancer called Ewing's sarcoma for three years, which has now spread to her pelvis and lungs.
Her only chance of survival was to have her leg amputated to stop the spread of the disease, and she went into London's Royal Marsden Hospital for the operation on December 11.
Felicia's mother, Sammi Cantone, of Leighton Avenue, Leigh, said: "She had a few tears and said, I don't want them to take my leg'. Who would want somebody to chop their leg off?
"But after she found out, she said: I want to go to the biggest toy shop in the world - Hamley's.' So I had to take her to Hamleys and spend money on her. She got a flying dragon and a badge-making set.
"She was worried everyone was going to think she was a freak and she wouldn't go back to school at first.
"But I persuaded her to go back on the Wednesday before Christmas. She's glad she did - they all welcomed her with open arms."
Mrs Cantone, 41, said Felicia had been helped by her twin sister, Carlotta, and the other schoolchildren had been so welcoming they were now fighting over who got to push her in her wheelchair.
She added: "She's still got boyfriends ringing and driving me crazy.
"To one of them, she said: I've got no hair, no eyebrows and no leg - why do you love me?' He said: Because you're beautiful and kind.'"
Felicia's chances of survival have now increased from 20 per cent to about 40 per cent and she now wants to grow up to be a singer.
Headteacher Martin Frampton said the children had done their best to make Felicia feel welcome back at school.
He said: "They've spent lunchtimes around the school talking to her. She's a fighter and she's very resilient. She adds a special quality to the school."
Mr Frampton said they had been very flexible and a nurse had been coming in to help Felicia, but her sunny disposition had also helped her easily settle back in.
He said: "She's got a lot on her plate, but just keeps on going. She's amazing."
Felicia's parents are still looking to raise money to fund treatment for her in the US. Anyone who would like to donate can contact her father, Carlo Cantone, at
carlocantone@hotmail.com
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CommentPosted by: Nick, Southend on 6:42pm Tue 8 Jan 08
Your one brave girl your courage and determination not to let things get you down is an inspiration to us all.
All the very best.
Nick
Your one brave girl your courage and determination not to let things get you down is an inspiration to us all.
All the very best.
Nick
Posted by: woollard, leighon-sea on 2:07am Wed 9 Jan 08
Hi Felicia, you dont know me and i am a lttle older than you,(19). I lost my leg in May this year in afghanistan. I just wanted to say that if you feel like you need to talk to someone about wat to expect a little further down the line, please get in touch and i will happily meet with you and your parents. I come from Leigh myself so we have that in common too. If you want to know more about me first then type matthew in the search bar. I know how hard its been doin this at 19 but i think your so brave and positive at 10 years old. If you do want to chat then leave me a msg on this board. Hang in there my love and i promise it gets a lot easier. Matty
Hi Felicia, you dont know me and i am a lttle older than you,(19). I lost my leg in May this year in afghanistan. I just wanted to say that if you feel like you need to talk to someone about wat to expect a little further down the line, please get in touch and i will happily meet with you and your parents. I come from Leigh myself so we have that in common too. If you want to know more about me first then type matthew in the search bar. I know how hard its been doin this at 19 but i think your so brave and positive at 10 years old. If you do want to chat then leave me a msg on this board. Hang in there my love and i promise it gets a lot easier. Matty
Posted by: Sandra D'Claire, Leigh On sea on 9:14am Wed 9 Jan 08
What a wonderful child. I wish you well my darling.
What a wonderful child. I wish you well my darling.
Posted by: louise, basildon on 7:41pm Wed 9 Jan 08
a beautiful brave girl.returning back to school just after 2 days your one in a million. we wish you all the best. love santana age 10 and family
a beautiful brave girl.returning back to school just after 2 days your one in a million. we wish you all the best. love santana age 10 and family
Posted by: sami cantone, Leigh on Sea on 7:47pm Wed 9 Jan 08
Hi Matty, thanks for your E-mail, We currently dont have the internet at home but are due to get it set up in the very near future. If you would like to send Felicia some e-mails im sure she would be very happy to chat.It sounds as though your experience could be very helpful to her. If you wouldlike to contact her father, Carlo he could pass my e-mail address on to you. take care. Sami
Hi Matty, thanks for your E-mail, We currently dont have the internet at home but are due to get it set up in the very near future. If you would like to send Felicia some e-mails im sure she would be very happy to chat.It sounds as though your experience could be very helpful to her. If you wouldlike to contact her father, Carlo he could pass my e-mail address on to you. take care. Sami
Posted by: evilc, essex on 6:37pm Sun 13 Jan 08
WELL DONE Felicia you are what this country is about,despite having been dealt a truly terrible card you have come out fighting, you have my total respect.
WELL DONE Felicia you are what this country is about,despite having been dealt a truly terrible card you have come out fighting, you have my total respect.
Posted by: Mel Scheu, Southend on 4:08pm Sat 8 Mar 08
(Sam, we were at school together.)
I am so sorry to hear about your little girl it must be heart breaking for all of you. I wish you all the love in the world.
Mel Scheu
(Sam, we were at school together.)
I am so sorry to hear about your little girl it must be heart breaking for all of you. I wish you all the love in the world.
Mel Scheu
Posted by: paul ewing, glasgow on 7:34pm Thu 3 Apr 08
i heard about this story through watching bbc parliament david amess mp was talking about it today
i heard about this story through watching bbc parliament david amess mp was talking about it today
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