The road to recovery

Preparing for his second year of MILO in2CRICKET, Seth’s father Simon Sleep continues to credit cricket for playing a pivotal role in his son’s recovery.

“I am convinced that cricket has kept Seth out of hospital,” Sleep said.

“Any chance he gets, he has a bat in his hand.

“So much so that over winter Cricket Australia’s Aaron Dragwidge would come and teach Seth some new cricket skills.”

Along with keeping Seth active, cricket has shown the Sleep family that it’s a sport that brings people of all walks of life together.

Through the game, the Sleep family has formed strong relationships with their local club, Narre South Cricket Club, the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers and VicSpirit and cricket’s own staff members.

“Cricket is about people and without brilliant people, it wouldn’t exist,” Sleep said.

“To walk the corridors at Cricket Victoria and Cricket Australia and to hear “Hi Seth, how are you mate” or to have Shippy (Greg Shipperd) call out “Seth, come here mate” just shows that cricket is not only a sport with passion, but it’s also a sport with compassion.”

Currently in the “maintenance” stage of Leukemia, Seth’s progression has him classed as being “cured” in early 2016.

“He’s at a stage where the most intensive treatment has finished and now slowly over the next two years his dosage will be lowered,” Sleep said.

“If he stays on track, his last chemo treatment will be in October 2015.”