AS far as the students and teachers of St Michael and John's Primary School are concerned, there's nothing remarkable about year three student Ted Johnson.
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Which is important.
Ted was born without knee, leg and ankle bones - a condition known as bilateral tibial hemimelia.
The decision to amputate was made early in his life, and so the now-nine-year-old grew up learning to walk with prosthetics.
Lousie Chesterfield, student and wellbeing leader at St Michael's, said they made a point of treating him like any other child after he was enrolled.
"(Now) we forget sometimes, and so do the other kids," she said.
You know, I remember Ted in prep and at that stage his legs could come off some times, and one of the other kids would just pick it up and say 'Here's your leg, Ted'."
Though he's more than happy to talk about it, hardly anyone at the school asks Ted about what makes him unique anymore.
Ms Chesterfield says this reflects the positive influence he's had at SMJ.
"We want kids to recognise that as individuals, we all have something that's a bit different about us," she said.
For Ted it's the legs, but we just want them to know not to be fearful or worried, and that they don't see the difference, they just see Ted," she said.
I think Ted's example of resilience, determination and perseverance is a lesson for us all.
Though hes carved out a reputation as someone who just gets on with life, a new challenge emerged this year that justified Ted and his family requesting outside help.
"This year at school we've had wheelie Wednesdays, where we've had kids coming to school on everything that has wheels," Ms Chesterfield said.
"Ted had his wheelchair out there spinning a few moves (but he) just needs a bike."
"I would have liked a bike since I got my blades because when I had my knee legs I could ride a normal bike, agreed Ted, who switched from knee prosthetics to blades in prep to have an easier time getting around and playing with friends."
This was easier said than done, however: The bike, an XCR Cross Country Handcycle, cost $11,000 had to be specially made and shipped from overseas.
That's when Ms Chesterfield had an idea.
"What we thought was that this time of year, for a lot of families it's a tight time, and especially for a farming community like Horsham," she said.
The reason we talked about 'Ten for Ted' is all we need to get $11,000 is to get 1100 people to donate $10.
"So we started the campaign through our school facebook, it's had 360-odd shares, and within about 15 minutes of posting we had our first donation, which was just amazing.
The campaign looks set to smash its funding target, with $10,100 being raised in the first four days alone.
Donations come through thick and fast, some up to $1000 said Ms Cesterfield.
There were contributions at the parish at mass on Sunday, from grandparents of kids at school, people in the community too. I think they recognise the same as we do that every kid just deserves a bike"
While the post has been shared in South Australia, Melbourne, and by friend of Ted's father who works in a mine at Western Australia.
It was phenomenal, the response to it: I teared up after school, said Teds mother Abbie Clark. It's just so humbling, the feeling for our family.
Everything going to plan, Ms Clark is set to meet up with a dealer in Ballarat later this month to test a bike before buying one.
"It looks like a BMX version of a hand-pedal bike, she said.
It's also got electric assist because it's very hard work riding with your arms, and if he got somewhere and he was knackered and couldn't get home he just has that little bit of help."
While donors can be secure in the knowledge any surplus funds raised will be put to good use.
If more comes in than we need, it will go into a bank account and eventually be put towards getting Ted a new set of knees, Ms Chesterfield said.
Ted currently only has the blades, and his mother said it would be valuable if he had access to both kinds of prosthetic limb throughout the day.
"I think how it should go is I'll put on the knees if I'm going into the car or like going into a small space like a bus, and them when I'm finished with it I'll take them off" Ted said.
Ms Chesterfield said Ten for Ted is an opportunity for SMJ to remind Wimmera residents its important to do good things for one another.
It's a good time of year to do it in the lead-up to Christmas. We just think of other people and do something for others, and it gives Ted a chance to push the ks out when he gets the bike.
Donate to Ten For Ted:
BSB 063 514
ACC 10078438
Name SMJ
Email office@smjhorsham.com.au for more information.