I recently had the privilege of hearing the stories of two remarkable young men, Jerome and Alessandro, whose extraordinary bravery has deeply inspired me.

Jerome was a typical eight-year-old boy whose life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer in 2020. His challenging journey through chemotherapy and other intensive therapies to relearn how to walk, talk and eat is a powerful example of courage. And now, he and his family are behind a push to raise awareness of, and funds for, brain cancer.

Alessandro is a young man living with profound autism and has a remarkable gift – his love of animals and his ability to capture them in drawings. With the support of his mother, Fiona, he has now successfully published books and created t-shirts featuring his artwork.

When Fiona shared with me the challenges their family faces and her clear desire to showcase the lived experiences of families with severe autism, I felt compelled to help.  It was a very clear message that people living with autism deserved to be seen, heard and supported.

These two young men are more than just reminders that behind every face is a journey we may never fully understand. They are shining examples of the resilience which lives right here in our City.

But the sad reality is many of us will hear these eye-opening stories of strength and revert to old routines.

I encourage everyone to consider these two young men, ponder how many more people in our City are experiencing similar circumstances and challenge ourselves to lead with empathy, listen and act. Not just with words, but with meaningful support.

Because we never truly know what our neighbours are going through.

Regards,

Clr Bilal El-Hayek

Mayor City of Canterbury Bankstown