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SEPT 2024 THE REVIEW | 15 FEATURE “It’s fun. I like seeing people with disabilities try their best,” says Ryan, who represents Disability Sport Auckland at the Halberg Games. stunting the baby’s growth. Tracey says Ryan, now 10, wasn’t expected to survive pregnancy, or if he was born alive, he would be hooked up to machines for the rest of, what was expected to be, a short life. At 19 weeks, Tracey and Junior were given the option to terminate Ryan. In fact, says Tracey, “it was recommended”. her help, Ryan’s motor skills and our knowledge of howwe could help Ryan would not be at the same place they are today”. Splints have made an amazing difference to Ryan’s life – especially as he is such an active child. Prior to receiving splints, he would frequently fall and hit his head. “Since getting the splints his “Immediately, Junior and I, in less than a split second, said ‘no, we will let him decide....Ryan will decide’.” Tracey developed pre-eclampsia and was hospitalised at around 23 weeks, where she remained until the twins were born at 35 weeks, via caesarean section. Tamati was born first, weighing 2.7kg. Ryan weighed just 1kg and was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for 4 weeks. Doctors diagnosed him with Cerebral Palsy within his first week. He has hypotonic quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, GMFCS Level 2, which affects all his limbs. Doctors didn’t expect Ryan, who also has an older brother named Vincent, 13, to be doing many of the things he is now doing. “We didn’t know if Ryan would ever open his hands, or walk. But Ryan being Ryan put in 200% effort and he did it - taking his first steps at the age of 2.” Tracey puts a large part of his progress down to help from a paediatric occupational therapist named Roz, saying that “without walking and balance, and ability to walk on different surfaces, is a whole other world,” Tracey says. Tracey says the Society’s getThis&That funding, part of the e-card programme, has been useful for helping Ryan learn to carry out tasks around the house – he is currently working on mastering a Good Grips can opener which he uses when he helps with cooking. Despite the challenges Ryan faces, you’ll find a young man full of “determination and resilience”, a young man who has found his happy place in sport. He has tried rugby, basketball, touch, athletics, jiu jitsu, BMX and hip hop. “When I’m older I want to be a Paralympian in athletics or swimming,” Ryan says. Swimming lessons have been funded by the getPhysical funding available on his e-card. Ryan has been to the Halberg Games three times and absolutely loves it. “It’s fun. I like seeing people with disabilities try their best,” says Ryan, who represents Disability Sport Auckland at the games. Tracey says the first time he went to the Halberg Games “his eyes lit up”. “He wasn’t sure what to expect. But he had the biggest smile. He was nervous. But when he saw the people there, he said, ‘mum, they are all just like me’.” Ryan is excited to be part of Be Green & Be Seen|Kia Kākāriki, Kia Kitea, and the family is looking forward to getting involved in the #beACTIVE aspect of the campaign. “We’ve settled on a step challenge day where we will hold an event with as many friends and family as possible - the more steps the bigger the donation! “We’re looking forward to getting out there, raising awareness and some funds for the Cerebral Palsy Society. We are so grateful for the opportunities and guidance they provide us and other families with Cerebral Palsy,” Tracey says. Opposite page: Ryan has tried a number of sports thanks to Disability Sport Auckland. Above: Ryan and his family are supporting Be Green & Be Seen. Ryan’s proud family, including mumTracey, pictured, join him at the Halberg Games.