A bravery award has been awarded to a nine-year-old boy, after he pushed his little brother out of the way of an oncoming car.
In August 2013, Calyn Hoad from Beenleigh in Qld, was just seven years old when he saved his four year old brother Kya. Calyn literally pushed his younger brother Kya out of the way of the car that was heading towards them.
In the ensuing collision that happened, Calyn was hit from the oncoming car and suffered massive brain damage as a result.
Two and a half years on, Calyn was today awarded a bravery medal at Government House in Canberra.
Father of the two boys, Ben Hoad, said that Calyn’s recovery had been a difficult time for the whole family.
“In the early days it was really difficult,” he said. We weren’t sure if he was going to make it the first six to 12 months. It was really tough for us.
“Emotions were raw.”
Mr Hoad said he was incredibly proud of his son and the struggle has led to rewards along the way.
“He’s come so far and done so much,” he said. “It’s been a tough journey but it’s been rewarding as well. He’s still improving too which is a major thing for us, he hasn’t slowed down yet.
“He’s back at school now.”
Some of the struggle has been lightened by the community supporting the family throughout this time. For instance, when Calyn was first injured he had to stay with his grandmother, due to better wheelchair access.
When the local community heard what was going on, they pitched in to double the size of the family’s modest two bedroom home, allowing the whole family to live together again.
Recently, Calyn learned to walk again and proudly stepped up on stage today to accept the Australian Bravery Association’s Brave Youth of the Year award with his family watching on.
Mr Hoad said that the brother’s bond was as strong as ever.
“They’re still typical boys so they still fight a bit,” Mr Hoad said. “Every family photo we’ve got before the accident he’s hugging his brother or holding his brother’s hand.”
“His brother and sister, they don’t even see it, they just love him regardless.”
Image source: Twitter/ABCCanberra
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