A tragic event occurred when wildfires engulfed the Malibu estate of former Australian child star Rory Callum Sykes in California. His mother, Shelley Sykes, shared that he perished in the blaze at their 17-acre Mount Malibu TV Studios estate. Rory, known for his appearance on the British TV series “Kiddy Kapers” in 1998, was described by his mother as “beautiful” and “wonderful.”
Shelley recounted the heartbreaking moment when she couldn’t rescue Rory due to a broken arm and a malfunctioning water supply. Despite being born blind with cerebral palsy, Rory defied odds and became an inspirational speaker, co-founding the Happy Charity organization. His goal was to spread “Hope, Happiness & Health to those that are Hurting.”
Rory, who was born in Britain and later lived in Australia and America, overcame numerous challenges, including surgeries and therapies to regain his sight and mobility. He was a professional speaker and consultant for prominent organizations such as the Tony Robbins Foundation and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is supporting Rory’s family during this difficult time. The tragic loss of this young man serves as a reminder of his inspiring message: “It doesn’t matter what happens to you in life, it’s what you do about it that counts.”
Vocabulary List:
- Engulfed /ɪnˈɡʌlft/ (verb): To completely surround or cover something often in a destructive manner.
- Perished /ˈpɛrɪʃt/ (verb): To die or come to an end especially in a violent or sudden way.
- Cerebral Palsy /ˈsɛrɪbrəl ˈpɔːlzi/ (noun): A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone often caused by damage to the developing brain.
- Inspiring /ɪnˈspaɪərɪŋ/ (adjective): Having the effect of inspiring someone; motivating or encouraging.
- Malfunctioning /mælˈfʌŋkʃənɪŋ/ (adjective): Failing to function properly.
- Challenges /ˈtʃælɪndʒɪz/ (noun): Difficulties that require effort and determination to overcome.
