IN HONOUR of his son who has been battling a devastating illness for the past 12 years, an Amanzimtoti father, Craig Bouchier, took part in the Nelson Mandela Marathon in Cape Town recently as a testament to hope, courage, and never giving up.

Also read: Tough race for resilient Amanzimtoti runner

Bouchier’s son, Caleb, had a promising future. At 20 he received a soccer scholarship in the US, dreaming of becoming a professional player.

Things took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), which is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome. ME/CFS is a serious, long-term illness that affects multiple body systems, causing extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest.

“For more than 12 years, he has faced the daily challenges of living with this debilitating disease, which has left him largely housebound and unable to live the life he once dreamed of. Nelson Mandela is an inspiration to us all because he endured 27 years of imprisonment before finally walking to freedom, showing the world the extraordinary power of courage, resilience and hope in the face of adversity,” said Bouchier.

As he crossed the finish line, Bouchier said Caleb’s marathon will continue, and his race is far more challenging, and he never chose to run it.

“I am running to remind my son that he is not forgotten, that he is deeply loved, and that no matter how difficult the journey becomes, he must never give up hope. Keep on keeping on, Caleb,” he said.

He completed the tough 42.2km race in 5:59:57.

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