Trey, our sportsman and warrior!

By Candice

The day we found out we were expecting our second child we were so excited and could not wait to meet our little bundle of joy. Trey was born a healthy 8lb baby boy, looking just like his big brother Beau. For a moment, everything felt perfect.

But the very next morning, everything changed. I noticed Trey’s foot twitching and called the midwife. Within minutes, doctors were surrounding him, trying to stop his seizures. That day he was rushed from Maitland Hospital to the NICU at John Hunter Children’s Hospital.

After days of tests including a lumbar puncture and an MRI we finally had an answer: Trey had suffered a stroke. Hearing those words about our newborn was devastating. Doctors explained that the type of stroke he’d endured would have left an adult unable to use their right side or worse.

At just 10 days old, Trey came home on medication to help control the seizures. That was the beginning of years filled with hospital stays, MRIs, EEGs, blood tests, and countless appointments with neurologists, haematologists, endocrinologists, orthopaedic surgeons', and therapists and more. Eventually, we learned Trey has a rare blood-clotting disorder Protein S Deficiency which increases his risk of another stroke.

At six, his seizures returned, and he was diagnosed with epilepsy. Later, Trey was officially diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Each challenge felt like another heavy blow, but Trey faced them all with resilience far beyond his years.

Now, Trey is now 18 and he has never let his diagnoses define him. His passion for sport, especially soccer and running, drives him forward. He has proudly competed in parafootball championships, received invitations to multiple Pararoos training camps, and continues to dream of representing Australia on the international stage, all whilst competing in the PYL competition for Cooks Hill United.

Beyond soccer, he has excelled in cross country and athletics, earning state selection, finally making it past the zone stage in competition after being classified and able to compete in multi class.

Life isn’t only about sport for Trey. He is also a proud big brother to Declan, and together with Beau, they are like his best friends. Their bond is unshakable, and having his brothers by his side has been one of Trey’s greatest joys.

Like many teenagers his age, he has also reached another exciting milestone getting his Learner’s Licence.

Watching him step into adulthood, chasing independence while still chasing his dreams on the field and track, has been an incredible journey.

School has brought its challenges, with a mild intellectual delay and struggles with emotions at times, but Trey has worked hard and continues to push through with determination and courage. Trey is also currently working towards gaining his certificate 4 in fitness at Tafe.

Parenting a survivor of childhood stroke is not easy. There are constant questions, worries, and moments of doubt. But above all, there is immense pride.

Trey has shown extraordinary resilience from the very beginning, and as much as we wish he never had to face these battles, we are endlessly proud of the young man he has become.

Trey is and always will be our sportsman and warrior.