Finn, Charlotte taking SC to the Halbergs
Finn Tregurtha-Nairn, 11, has overcome life-threatening odds to be part of the first South Canterbury team to compete at the Halberg Games.
The three-day Games in Auckland, from April 23-25, are open to 8 to 21-year-old New Zealanders with a physical or visual impairment.
Finn suffered a random brain injury, possibly from a virus, when he was 5 and had to relearn to walk and talk, as well as emotional and cognitive understandings.
His mother, Mel Tregurtha, said her son was in ICU at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland, then underwent lengthy rehabilitation.
He had to work hard to regain what he lost as well as his confidence. She is grateful that he has progressed so much thanks to the hard work Finn put in alongside the medical professionals.
‘‘If it had been another era he would have just been sent to an institution,’’ Tregurtha said.
She is really proud of his determination. The Waimataitai School pupil competed in the Games two years ago when living in Tauranga which kindled his interest to enter again.
Finn will compete in athletics, archery, touch rugby, crossfit, cricket and golf.
‘‘I’m looking forward to it. Running is my favourite sport,’’ he said.
Fellow team member and St Joseph’s School Pleasant Point pupil Charlotte Walker, 9, can’t wait to compete at the Halbergs. Her goal is to one day enter the Paralympics.
She will compete in gymnastics, archery, track and field, and swimming.
‘‘I’m looking forward to it,’’ Charlotte said.
At the end of last year she was the youngest competitor in the under23s in the Challenge Wanaka (with physical or intellectual disabilities) and swam 50 metre, ran 500m and biked three kilometres.
Charlotte was diagnosed with mild spastic diplegic cerebral palsy when she was 2, leaving her with coordination and balance problems.