By Natalee Kerr
Drysdale’s Judd Hughes, 11, has his eyes set on becoming a professional wheelchair basketball star.
Since age three, Judd has suffered from McCune Albright Syndrome – a rare genetic disease that left him unable to run or walk for more than 100 meters.
Judd’s mum, Claire, recalls the difficulty of telling her “sports-mad” son he was unable to pursue football because of his incurable condition.
“I remember the day we had to explain to him he couldn’t play footy… that broke his heart,” she said.
“He just simply couldn’t be tackled because he would break.”
Judd struggled to find a sport he could play before becoming involved with Geelong not-for-profit organisation Parallel Sports 18 months ago.
Claire said the organisation allowed Judd to chase his sporting endeavours.
“He has always had a massive passion for basketball (but) we had no idea there were these wheelchair opportunities,” she said.
Judd participates in an adult competition but is in need of a new wheelchair so he can “go faster and be more competitive”, Claire said.
Now the community is rallying behind the St Thomas Primary School student in a bid to help him reach his dream – representing Victoria in wheelchair basketball.
They have raised $1300 for Judd’s new wheelchair, $1700 shy from a target of $3000.
“We’re overwhelmed by the support… we’ve been so lucky with his school and the kids getting behind this,” Claire said.
Judd, who loves wheelchair basketball because it lets him “go fast for once”, said the fundraising efforts from his schoolmates meant “a lot” to him.
“I like having their support, I feel pretty special,” he said.
Judd hopes to give the wheelchair to another young athlete once he outgrows it, he said.
To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/sports-chair-for-judd.
