Brave Vida Dziduch has come all the way from Queensland to be treated at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). Her rare condition was not picked up until she was six weeks old, to parents Che Dziduch and Louisa Banner, it looked like their daughter was trying to sneeze.

The 14-month old was born with hemimegalencephaly, a condition where the brain does not form properly in the womb. Half of the brain is abnormally large, which causes seizures.

Ms Banner’s Grandmother, a former nurse, could see that the twitches and clenches that made Vida look like she was sneezing were the makings of something far more complex, and urged her granddaughter to have Vida checked.

After presenting to hospital in Queensland and learning of Vida’s diagnosis, the couple found out that their baby would need to travel interstate for surgery. Although Sydney was a closer option, the couple opted to travel to Melbourne where Vida’s doctor would be the celebrated Ms Wirginia Maixner, who led the separation of conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna.

Vida’s condition is normally addressed by removing the problem area that is causing the seizures. In Vida’s case, 60 per cent of the right side of her brain was the concern.

A marathon 20-hour operation ensued in which Vida went through five times her blood volume in transfusions.

If her seizures return, Vida may have to endure further surgery and have more brain tissue removed. It may be up to two years until doctor’s can assess if her peripheral vision has been affected.

Meanwhile, Vida’s parents are staying positive and treating their daughter’s illness as a hurdle rather than a tragedy.