With a lion-like Javier Milei haircut, shiny tinsel glint in his eyes and looking for a whole heart, Aussie teenager James Thornton is our very own Wizard of Oz as he courageously takes on the world with a terrific family and a loving nation sympathetic to his challenges (“No half measures, James is all heart”, DT, 24/10). Born without an effective left heart, the enchanting James can’t sustain an increased cardiac output, limiting his exercise tolerance. Although he won’t make it to the Olympics, I love his dream of being a radio sports caller in his quest for not missing out. However, he must avoid getting as excited as Ray Hadley at the Sydney Olympics, when the electrically hyper-charged commentator nearly gave us all a heart attack as Cathy Freeman won gold. The publicity for developments at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute is richly deserved, as our Aussie champion in excellence at clinical innovation knows no bounds. Thank you, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 25 Oct 2025
