Last month we had the opportunity to raise funds for medical equipment for Sebastian, a 9-year-old boy with non-ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH), a rare, genetic, metabolic disorder caused by a defect in the enzyme system.

I remember attending Sebastian’s birthday party with my son Teddy, a schoolfriend of Seb’s.  All the children were invited to dress up as their own superhero. My son got to be Super Ted.

Sandra Cawthorn, Seb’s mother, explained her son’s love of superheroes to me:

“I think the first movie he ever loved was The Incredibles. And we have always seen him, his NKH friends and school friends as superheroes. We have always talked about how everyone has their own special powers and Seb’s is his heart and cuddles.”

Photo by Sylvia Lawrence 

So when we decided to run a fundraiser class superheroes was the perfect theme. In the fitness industry we put the emphasis on the on the physical but it’s easy to forget some people in the community can’t even dream of being able to walk. Seb can’t walk and he can’t talk either, but meeting him is inspiring. It makes me think about my own kids and how lucky they are to be able to lead such active lives.  — Eilish

Photos by Sylvia Lawrence