A little boy from Lévis is a source of inspiration for his family and loved ones. He is preparing for the 10K at the Beneva de Québec Marathon next October when doctors gave him very little ability to run.
Deprived of oxygen at birth, Thomas Cosson faces consequences that do not prevent him from engaging in life.
“The doctors diagnosed him with cerebral palsy early on. When he was a baby we didn’t know how it would turn out,” said Geneviève Patry, Thomas’ mother.
The boy, who will turn 12 next August, is preparing for a major challenge, namely running the 10K that will take place in Quebec in the fall.
Despite his physical disability that affects his gait and speech, Thomas has normal mental abilities and is more than determined to take on this challenge.
Unknowingly, Jean-François Pichette, Occupational Therapist and President of the Clinique Hippo-Action, sparked this project.
Mr. Pichette, who has worked with Thomas for several years, has witnessed his impressive progress.
Unforgettable moment
“I call him my little warrior. Despite the challenges he faces that are far greater than most people face, he shows incredible resilience and boundless strength of character,” said Mr. Pichette.
In 2018, Mr Pichette ran a marathon with Thomas in a stroller as he was only 7 at the time, but the boy ran the last 200 meters on foot, helped by the crowd present at the finish line.
This experience made stars shine in his eyes and Thomas ran again last year with intermittent rest periods in the stroller, but without being officially registered for the race.
“No stroller this year. I’ll have my own bib number,” shared the young athlete, who is training with his godmother Annick in anticipation of the big day.
Friends and relatives formed a small group to run with him and cheer him on.
In addition to his new passion for running, Thomas, who attends the Desjardins school in Lévis, has also been playing dek hockey for several years.
“I’m so proud of my son,” says the mother. As parents, we often had fears, but he always thwarted them, both at school and in sports.
“We learned that you shouldn’t always rely on medical prognoses. “With work there is always a way to get ahead,” added Ms. Patry.
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