Brennan’s wish comes true

 

Two years ago 11-year-old Brennan Massey from Mangawhai got a new lease on life. Despite spending most of his time in a wheelchair suffering from the muscle-wasting disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Brennan ‘found’ power soccer, a sport he could play and enjoy with others who carried similar disabilities.

His talent showed through immediately and, thanks to the wonderful people who visit the Givealittle website, Brennan was able to join his team on a trip to compete in a power soccer tournament in Australia.

Fast forward a bit and Brennan realised he needed to up his game, at the same time seeing an advert for the Make-A-Wish charity. Brennan plays for the recently-formed Northland Powerchair Football Team and is hoping to play for the national team at the 2015 FIFA Powerchair Soccer World Cup in Australia this October.

To help this dream come true, and knowing it was a long shot, Brennan filled out the form himself wishing for a Strike Force power chair – the Ferrari of power chairs – and the chance to fulfil his sporting dream.

His wish landed on the desk of Tim Bird, Wish co-ordinator. Wheels were set in motion and last Sunday, what should have been a normal training day for the Northland Powerchair team turned into a riot.

As his Mum Vivienne ushered him into the hall at Whangarei’s ASB Centre the brass band began to play amid loads of balloons and hooters, a whole bunch of well-wishers, a TV crew and, in the middle of it, a brand spanking new Strike Force Powerchair for Brennan.

The moment his Dad Paul lifted him into the chair Brennan was quite at home showing his prowess by zipping a few balls around the stadium and it was obvious the new super-chair would give him more speed and flexibility.

Brennan practices regularly at Mangawhai Rec Centre with a three hour training session with the team at Whangarei’s ASB Stadium every second Sunday. It has now been confirmed that an international coach will be on hand shortly to run workshops and hone the players skills so Brennan will be putting his best wheel forward in a bid to win team selection.

Mum Vivienne is high in her praise of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, especially Tim Bird, funding development manager Nick Redstone, and Dianne Christensen who had a big hand in helping the wish come true.


MORE POWER: Brennan celebrates his new powerchair with Nick Redstone, parents Paul and Vivienne, and brother Cooper.

By Rob Pooley