By Jessica Anstice
Students, teachers, and parents at Clyde Primary School dressed up as superheros to support the very brave Cody Wallace on Friday, 21 September.
The day was put on to help raise funds for a seizure alert pup for Cody.
Cody has had an extensive medical history, beginning his journey with the Royal Children’s Hospital before he was two years old, following a diagnosis of a choroid plexus papilloma (brain tumour) and hydrocephalous (fluid on the brain). Since, Cody has had nine brain surgeries.
Early in 2017, Cody was diagnosed with hypothalamus dysfunction that inhibits his body’s ability to produce cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone responsible for the flight or fight response for the body, so if Cody is sick, loses consciousness, or breaks a bone, his body starts to shut down rather than fight to stay alive.
Since 2010, Cody has been battling epilepsy. Cody’s brain is in a state of constant seizure activity that has been resistant to all medications and this has had a detrimental impact on his memory, cognition, ability to learn and gross and finer motor functions. He has suffered countless convulsive seizures that will not stop on their own, without medical intervention.
“The dress up day on Friday was to show each and every person at Clyde Primary School that anyone can be a superhero and we all have certain strengths within us and the qualities that make us truly heroic,” Cody’s mum Tracy Wallace said.
“Cody was overwhelmed that it was all in his honour and all for him – he now knows that so many more people are behind him and love him.
“The response from the community has been more than we could ever have thought possible so many people/strangers have banded together to help support and raise funds in assistance to acquire a seizure alert pup for Cody.”
On Friday night, Cody’s brother Ronan ran onto the ground with the Collingwood Football Club, on behalf of Cody, before the preliminary final against Richmond.
“Ronan running out on Cody’s behalf was amazing and something that he has to keep and can watch whenever he wants,” Ms Wallace said.
“Ronan was lucky enough to be wearing a GoPro recording the moment just so Cody could see what it was like as if he was the one running through the banner.
Collingwood Football Club gifted Ronan a Guernsey that says ‘This is for you Cody’ on the back and gifted Cody a signed Guernsey with his name on the back.
Clyde Primary School raised a total of $712.
The Wallace Family are totally blown away by everyone’s generosity and would like to thank everyone for all they have done.
