Doctors told Beeac’s Keegan Quinney they didn’t want him to drive go-karts or ride motorbikes ever again – but that won’t stop the youngster from trying.
Keegan, 12, is receiving zoledronic acid injections to improve weak bone density brought on by his rare disease, hyper immunoglobulin E syndrome.
Keegan’s mother Sue said he was improving, slowly but surely, since being diagnosed when he was two years old.
“There has been a slight improvement in his bone density, the doctors were hoping the injections would have improved it but they have no idea how long it will take,” she said.
“Because Keegan’s condition is so rare it’s hard to get a comparison to others.”
Mrs Quinney said she knew of just 10 people in Australia with the disease.
Mrs Quinney said Keegan’s doctor would rather him not ride his motorbike again.
“If she had her way he’d never ride again but that won’t stop him from aiming to,” she said.
Keegan will have a test in March to determine if his bones are strong enough to ride.
“You’ve got to let him live, we don’t wrap him up in cotton wool,” Mrs Quinney said.
“He used to ride around on his 80 doing jumps and donuts, he loved it,” she said.
“But now he knows what he can and can’t do and the kids he goes to school with are great too.”
The Colac Primary School pupil makes trips to the Royal Children’s Hospital every four months bone density tests, and results are positive.
“Bones density levels need to be at about five, his are at about three but have come up from 2.9,” Mrs Quinney said.
Keegan, who will attend Colac’s Trinity College next year, said doctors had given him the all clear to ride his pushbike again.
“It feels like I haven’t been able to do anything, I can’t wait to get back on my bike,” he said.
The fan of the Crusty Demons motorcycle daredevils said he tried not to let his condition hold him back.
“I play badminton, and soccer basically every day at school,” he said.
Keegan’s condition leaves him with low-level antibodies, which meant a visit to the hospital every month for antibodies to prevent dangerous bouts of pneumonia.
But the introduction of a clinical trial known as NextG, which are antibodies that Keegan can inject  at home, has improved his immunity.
“The monthly injections mean Keegan has a lot more antibodies, and he hasn’t had pneumonia since September last year,” Mrs Quinney said.
Keegan said he was looking forward to Christmas.
“We’ll be going to our beach house in Portarlington where I’ll go boogey boarding and snorkelling,” he said.
“I’m also hoping to get a few Playstation games and something for my pushbike for Christmas.”