11-year-old boy with rare disease sets national athletics record

Cody Wheeler, 11 years old from Nangus Public School (Australia) has made a miracle in the Australian school sports world. It is worth mentioning that Cody has Dent's disease - a rare kidney disease with only 250 patients worldwide.

Cody has won four national athletics titles and set a number of impressive records. At the National Primary Schools Athletics Association (PSSA) Athletics Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park last November, Cody won Gold Medals in all the events he competed in.

She is currently a record holder in four events: 100 meter sprint, 200 meter sprint, shot put and discus throw, and also helped the team win the 4×100 meter relay.

This achievement is all the more remarkable considering Cody has battled a number of serious health issues. Cody has a rare disease, kidney stones, rickets, osteoporosis of the hip, and deformities of the femur and tibia that cause painful knees. This condition requires major surgery, forcing him to temporarily stop playing his beloved sport.

Starlight Community Fund members visit Cody at Westmead Children's Hospital (Sydney).

Cody has to travel to Sydney every month for plasma infusions to help his weakened immune system, despite his fear of needles. Cody's mother, Peta Zaric, said the family has received great support from the community. The charity Country Hope has provided him with emotional and financial support, and nurses at Westmead Children's Hospital have been on hand to help Cody when his health suddenly changed.

Cody also received a lot of help from his teachers at school. Cody's homeroom teacher, Sue Pickersgil, took the 1am train to Sydney and stayed overnight to watch Cody compete for two days. Teacher Dave Signal, who is also a gymnast at Nangus, also accompanied him to many events.

Cody is currently heading to the National Track and Field Championships in December. During his preparation, he often asks his mother questions like, "Why did God create me with an imperfect body?" or "Why do I have to take drugs and have surgery when others don't?" To these questions, his mother lovingly replies, "You are perfect just the way you are."

On 14 March, Member of Parliament Steph Cooke presented Cody with a Community Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding achievements. The award was recorded in the Parliamentary Minutes, marking a significant milestone in the history of school sports in New South Wales (Australia).

Source: Regionriverina

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/cau-be-11-tuoi-mac-benh-hiem-gap-lap-ky-luc-tai-giai-dien-kinh-quoc-gia-20250319180246233.htm