![ALLAYING CONCERN: Play therapist Veronica Oakley has helped Kane Ransom, 3, get over worries about hospital. Picture: Jonathan Carroll ALLAYING CONCERN: Play therapist Veronica Oakley has helped Kane Ransom, 3, get over worries about hospital. Picture: Jonathan Carroll](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/storypad-3ZMaZUzN3dKuM6vrzTJmtN/5c9cd949-02c3-4140-80fb-d4db238f145d.jpg/r0_3_1200_678_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
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WHEN three-year-old Kane Ransom first started going to John Hunter children’s hospital to be treated for leukaemia, he was terrified.
But since getting to know Camp Quality play therapist, Veronica Oakley, he laughs and jokes with everyone during his long and difficult stints receiving chemotherapy.
Kane’s mum, Natalie, said she didn’t know where they would be without Veronica’s help in the initial stages.
When her son first started chemo after his diagnosis in May, a nurse tried to cut Kane’s catheter with a pair of scissors. Kane misunderstood the situation and was convinced going to hospital meant getting his head cut off.
Veronica eased Kane’s fears by giving him a teddy bear named Woody and using it to explain what procedures he was having.
Veronica also started speaking in the ‘‘Minion’’ language used in Despicable Me because Kane loves the movie so much and the pair often use it to communicate.
“We’ve spent about 50per cent of our time in hospital since Kane was diagnosed,’’ Natalie said. “He is now happy to be here in hospital and gets excited to see Veronica.’’
Veronica is able to continue working at the hospital because of a grant by the Greater Charitable Foundation.