IN THREE years, while undergoing 28 brain surgeries, six-year-old Lilly Antonelli has come to know many nurses, doctors and other staff at Queensland Children's Hospital.
Asked to nominate just one for a Superhero Award was a difficult task because they are all amazing, says Lilly's mum Michaela Antonelli, of Redland Bay.
Lilly settled on nurse Craig Masters, saying that he played the best games and together they had the best tea parties.
"Craig is the best nurse," Lilly said. "He makes me smile when I am sad or in pain."
"Nurse Craig is one of a kind," said Mrs Antonelli.
"Regardless of his bad days he gives 100 per cent to all of his patients and is a real-life Patch Adams.
"Where Nurse Craig is, there is always laughter and warmth. He has helped Lilly form some lifelong friendships in her darkest days."
Lilly has chiara malformation, a disorder that is rare especially in children, and difficult to diagnose.
It occurs when part of the brain descends out of the skull into the spinal area, which results in compression of parts of the brain and spinal cord. This disrupts the flow of fluid around the brain.
Lilly also has a linked condition, syringomyelia, which is a cyst along the spinal cord, and hydrocephalus.
Mr Masters has been nominated and celebrated as part of a QSuper partnership with Juiced TV, a program made by and for children in hospital.
Also read: Lilly Antonelli meets Captain America
Juiced TV founder and managing director Pip Russell said QSuper's support allowed the show to have more of an impact for kids and their families at Queensland Children's Hospital and regional hospitals across Queensland, with a Juiced Box mobile application.
"We're so excited to have QSuper's support to enable Juiced TV to reach more children and families throughout Queensland while also helping us to identify the unsung superheroes within our hospital community," Ms Russell said.
QSuper chief executive officer Michael Pennisi said the company was passionate about recognising superheroes in Queensland Health supporting the work they did in providing emergency and primary healthcare.
"They're the ones on the front line and the care they provide has such a lasting impact on both the children and their families," Mr Pennisi said.
