He may only be seven years old, but Springwood’s Max Colgin is helping raise awareness about genetic diseases in the upcoming Jeans for Genes campaign.
Max is one of the faces in the 25th anniversary Jeans for Genes “Fight for Me, Fight with Me” campaign, which raises funds for the Children’s Medical Research Institute.
“He’s a big hero of mine,’’ said his mother, Lorel Colgin. “He is my hero because everything he does is hard for him, but he still laughs and smiles more often than he cries.”
Max is one of 20 children born with a genetic disease, having been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, and ADHD at the age of two.
“He gets a lot of anxieties. Sounds really bother him like flushing the toilet, or the sound of a blow-dryer… and there are some foods he just will not eat,” Mrs Colgin said.
As part of the campaign, Max and five other children with genetic diseases share how they live with resilience and strength.
Having been born prematurely, Max used to overcoming challenges everyday of his life.
“I see him really scared sometimes and trembling when he is struggling to do something new. But I talk him through it and the fear goes away.”
Mrs Colgin says Max’s “wonderful sense of humour” has helped him face his fears.
“He’s just such a fun happy kid generally that he can break down and cry one minute and then recover and go on the next.”
Max is fitting in well at Springwood Public School, where he attends a mainstream year 1 class and is assisted by a support teacher.
“He’s been doing really good and that’s another reason I want to raise awareness because I really believe that we spotted it early enough when he was younger. Early intervention has helped us prepare him for school.”
Mrs Colgin, who is also head of marketing and communications at Children's Medical Research Institute, said: "When I hear there’s neurobiology research happening at Children’s Medical Research Institute that can help us understand how the brain works differently in autism, and when I hear it might one day be possible to help him or kids like him…I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the possibility.”
Jeans for Genes Day is held on August 3. This year, the organisation aims to raise $25 million, with $145, 252 raised so far.
He is my hero because everything he does is hard for him, but he still laughs and smiles more often than he cries.
- Lorel Colgin
