Today we’d like to introduce you to Cody Hanson.
Hi Cody, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born with a rare syndrome; my sister and I were the only two in the world to have it. Tonya was almost 18 years older than me, but we were more like “twins.” Growing up, we had each other and an incredible support system around us. My parents sacrificed everything for us kids; Tonya was the first born, followed by Jed, Mindy, & Chad. When Tonya was born, they told my parents that her medical issues were one in a million and would never happen again. My parents were told they could not have more children, and I came to bless their lives. Not only was I a surprise to them, but I also had the same medical issues as Tonya. My mom would refer to me as the “surprise, surprise.” Because Tonya and I had the same complications, they decided to look into it more. We were sent to the genetics department at the University of Utah, where we met Dr. John Carey. He described our condition, which was then named the Carey Fineman Ziter syndrome (CFZS). Tonya passed away in September of 1998 from another rare issue at the age of 38. I was 20 at the time of her passing. Throughout my childhood, I have been supported and given every opportunity to flourish by many people who created my community. This has given me the tools to be the person I am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would not say life has been smooth, but at the same time, I don’t know anything else. I had many challenges while growing up; I had 28 major surgeries by the time of my 16th birthday. Tonya had 22 surgeries. We spent a lot of time in doctors’ offices and hospitals. When Tonya was born in the 60s, it was a very different world, and kids did not know how to handle people with differences. She had to deal with name-calling and bullying while young. Luckily, we have an incredible immediate and extended family family that created a safe and loving community. When I was growing up, this same community surrounded me, and it extended to my school and sports. I never had to deal with bullying, and I never heard the name-calling, if any, because this community would help educate and stop it.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about the Live To Inspire Foundation?
I founded the Live to Inspire Foundation with our kick-off celebration on my 40th birthday, a day no one ever thought I would live to. The Live to Inspire Foundation represents a few things. My motto is “Live life to the fullest & inspire others to do the same.” Tonya inspired everyone who got to know her and made people want to be better. I live my life best and help others do that, too. We have had a great community of people who have helped us in big and small ways; I want to provide that to others and share our community with them. The most dear to me is honoring Tonya and celebrating her life by helping other people and families affected by the Carey Fineman-Ziter Syndrome. She opened the doors so I could walk through them; because of her, I am.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
I want to show people, no matter their circumstances, to try and live their lives in the best way possible. We all have challenges that are hard to deal with; the more we try to uplift and support each other, the easier the challenge becomes. As we live our lives the best we can, we can help others to do the same by our example. Helping others allows us to grow; it does not have to be a grand gesture. We never know what people are going through, and just a simple smile or hello might be what someone needs. Small, simple acts of human kindness can make a difference in someone’s life. Live your life to the fullest, and Inspire others to do the same along the way!
Contact Info:
- Website: LivetoInspireFoundation.org
- Instagram: cody_da_Man
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codyhanson20?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BwAlJnpSTQLShiy6%2BMdHI9g%3D%3D
Image Credits
Cody Hanson
