"Sean would love to try for the people's choice award, which involves getting the most votes from the community."
Nominated for his immense courage after being diagnosed on his 10th birthday with a rare bone cancer osteosarcoma in his right leg, the Kapiti College student spent the majority of his three-year battle in pain and enduring vigorous chemotherapy.
As well as the cancer, it was discovered Sean had a rare blood disorder Fanconi Anaemia, which exacerbated the toxic effects of chemo and saw him spend a year and half in and out of an isolation unit at Starship.
Having fought the cancer, which at one point doctors said would end his life, Sean was left with a painful right leg comprised of an artificial knee, titanium rods and grafts.
Last year, Sean became one of the first Kiwis to undergo a rare and innovative leg reconstruction procedure, known as rotationplasty (full story here).
This meant his knee and most of his femur were removed and his ankle and tibia were rotated 180 degrees before being reattached.
As a result of the unique and complex procedure, Sean's ankle joint now acts as a knee joint that enables the attachment of a prosthetic leg.
Despite his on-going battle, Sean has spent the past year making up for lost time. He has had to re-learn to walk, ride a bike and to ski.
With medical clearance to go scuba diving this summer, the determined young battler embodies all that it means to have a strong spirit and positive attitude.
"I'm so proud of Sean who has gone through so much.
"He has endured more than most people will ever know, yet is still calm, thoughtful and gentle in all his ways.
"Please vote to help show Sean how much support he has around him."
To place a vote for Sean click here.
