Home / Lifestyle / Boy, 12, Finds Joy in Sailing After Beating Brain Tumor
Boy, 12, Finds Joy in Sailing After Beating Brain Tumor
10 Nov
Summary
- Tadiwa, 12, diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at one year old.
- He underwent chemotherapy and proton beam therapy, impacting his vision.
- Specialist sailing lessons have given him a new sense of life and belonging.
At the age of one, Tadiwa was diagnosed with Optic Pathway Glioma, a brain tumor that could not be removed. Over the past decade, he has faced numerous hospital visits, chemotherapy, and proton beam therapy. These treatments, while helping to manage the tumor, resulted in visual impairment and caused him to miss significant life events like birthdays.
Despite these challenges, Tadiwa, now 12, demonstrates remarkable positivity and a zest for life. He actively engages in various activities including growing vegetables, playing musical instruments like the piano and guitar, and acting. He has also discovered a passion for sailing through specialist lessons with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has been instrumental in Tadiwa's journey, offering him a sense of belonging and a new perspective. He describes the experience as stepping into a new world, a welcome change from his frequent hospital stays. His resilience and positive spirit have not only inspired himself but also his family, who are immensely proud of him.
To further support Children in Need, Tadiwa participated in a charity ramble on the BBC's Countryfile, even meeting his hero Dame Ellen MacArthur and winning a canoe race against her. His message to others facing adversity is to remain positive and live life to the fullest, emphasizing that treatment challenges should not halt one's life.
