Tuolumne’s Cody Machado continues to defy expectations
Summerville High School’s graduation ceremony on Friday was extra special for Cody Machado, 18, of Tuolumne, and his family.
Machado was diagnosed at age 2 with Coffin-lowry syndrome — a rare genetic disorder which, in severe cases, leads to a much shorter life expectancy. However, the newly minted Class of 2022 alum isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Cody’s mother, Mende Machado, said he was escorted to graduation by the Tuolumne Biker’s Club, in a procession of 15 motorcycles. For Mende, every new day with Cody is a cause for celebration.
“The whole thing is emotional because he wasn’t supposed to live to double digits,” Mende said. “Even prom, he has never been able to wear a pair of jeans or anything, and he was in a tuxedo. Just seeing him out there with the normal kids and actually going through the whole process — I was crying from the second I saw him.”
Only days after walking across Summerville’s Thorsted Field, diploma in hand, Cody will begin his studies with the Tuolumne County Adult Transition Program on Tuesday, where he will develop life skills like financial literacy.
When asked what he wants to do with his life now that he has graduated from high school, Cody was firm.
“Be a firefighter,” he said. Cody’s admiration for firefighters, police and EMS personnel started early, according to his mother. His father, Brian, used to work in EMS, and Cody grew attached. For his 17th birthday, Tuolumne threw Cody a parade, with emergency personnel and private citizens alike coming to wish him well and honk their horns.
Cody’s connection to local emergency personnel has stayed strong since then, with Tuolumne County deputies attending his graduation at Summerville and coming to the Machado home June 12 to extend their congratulations in person.
To celebrate Cody’s accomplishment, the deputies gave him a card, a pin, a patch and two challenge coins on behalf of the department. As the deputies got in their cars to leave, Cody’s mother asked a favor.
“Will you guys honk your horns?” Mende asked.
As has become tradition among emergency personnel in Tuolumne County, the deputies blasted their sirens and flashed their lights as they drove off, eliciting a big smile and laughs from Cody.
“They’re going to scare the neighbors,” Cody chuckled.
According to Mende, Cody’s bright and open demeanor have earned him a lot of love — both in the Tuolumne community and beyond.
“He’s very loved, because he’s always smiling, and he puts off this loving spirit in general,” Mende said. “Everyone is really drawn to him. There’s not a stranger to him.”
Medical issues are nothing new to the Machado family. Cody’s father, Brian, has had heart problems and issues with his feet which recently forced him to check into the hospital for care. On top of that, Mende suffers from multiple sclerosis, a serious immune disease.
“Now that he’s hit that milestone, it’s a blessing in our lives that we got to see this and enjoy it,” Mende said.