GEORGE NEWS - He is an extraordinary young man who inspires people with his determination and perseverance. Luca Daniël Vermeulen (10), a learner at Laerskool Vorentoe in Great Brak River, is living proof that nothing is impossible.
Luca was born with severe club feet. His feet were completely retracted and he had his first set of casts shortly after his birth. Week after week his feet were manipulated to grow straight.
He underwent several surgeries, including one to cut his Achilles tendons from both feet, a tendon transfer in his feet and having screws put in.
"Despite these challenges, Luca never complained and he learned to crawl, stand and walk while he had to wear special shoes with a metal rod to keep his feet in the right position for the first four years of his life," says his mom, Isobel Imbrailo.
"With every step, Luca surprised us, his doctors and everyone around him with his positive spirit. From childhood, I called him my prince with the 'feet of gold', because I knew that one day he would have a great impact on people with his story."
And that is exactly what he does. Today, despite his challenges, Luca is a sportsman in his own right. At the beginning of the year he started participating in laser-run and triathle, which is part of South African Modern Pentathlon, and qualified in both disciplines for SA colours in the normal division.
He was then selected to compete in the para division for laser-run and triathlon at the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) World Championships in Port Said, Egypt, from 10 to 13 October, where he placed second in the laser-run and fourth in the swimming, running and shooting divisions.
UIPM is the world governing body of the Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon and five other multi-discipline sports including laser-run.
Luca was a happy baby, even with his special shoes on.What makes these achievements even more remarkable is that Luca earned a silver medal. He participated in a category for athletes with disabilities similar to his, but of various ages. Not only was he the youngest, he also had to compete in longer and more challenging distances than he is used to - and the winner, the only one who outdid him, is 22 years old.
Apart from his successes in laser-run and triathle, Luca also participates in rugby, cricket, football and hockey, and excels in culture and academics at school.
"Luca's story is an inspiration to many children, especially those with disabilities, and he likes to testify that if anyone ever doubts whether God exists, they can only look at his feet to know without a doubt that He does because it is a miracle," says Isobel.
"He shows that dreams are attainable, regardless of the challenges that life brings, and he lives out the full meaning of his name, 'bringer of light', every day," she says.
His family planned a big welcome for his return from Egypt (where he was accompanied by his grandfather) yesterday, Wednesday 16 October.
Luca receives his medal for a second place in the laser-run.
Luca shares the podium with athletes who are not only much older than him, but also much taller.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
