Help Andy Weston realise his DREAM.

I met Andy Weston seven years ago. He was 12. Wide eyed, passionate about basketball and sport, determined and starting as a Year 9 at Onslow College. He started in what would be the Class of 2012.

A lot has changed since then (his determination and passion has grown), but I’ll let him tell you about that:

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“Hi, I'm Andy Weston, almost 20 and got my future sorted out...with the proviso of knowing that what the future brings is anything but guaranteed.

My future holds a career in medicine or medical research, in the field of neurology, neurological plasticity and neurological rehabilitation. That is my plan...there is NO PLAN B...because I have learnt how precious life is and how quickly it can change.

My Dad is my idol, always has been...he supported me through all my academic and sporting endeavours...he's my best mate, and my brother's as well. He kept himself fit and healthy and had no "vices" other than an obsession with all things mountain biking.

Now it's my turn to support him, my mum and my brother. Dad had a carotid dissection which resulted in a massive stroke; very random and extremely unlucky. One thing I found out: we do "random and unlucky" in our family. My brother has a really rare kidney condition ,my mum's had breast cancer , and me ...my sporting career has been halted by two shoulder operations in 12 months. But hey, once you know stuff DOESN'T just happen to other people then you take what is dished out and make the most of it.

That's what we have done - and will keep doing.

I started uni four weeks after Dad's stroke and managed study, visiting the hospital every day for three months, and helping out at home. I wanted to do a degree in Health Sciences majoring in Sports and Exercise Physiology, because sport "was my thing".

2013 changed "my thing". The strengths and weaknesses of the health system inspired and frustrated me. My family's determination to ensure Dad reached his recovery potential (in the face of pretty limited resources) inspired and frustrated me.

Mum quit work to care for and rehabilitate Dad so there was no money coming in. My brother faced NCEA with huge issues at home that made concentrating on exams really hard. So...I stopped uni and got a job to help with money, to help Dad, to help mum and to help my brother.

The thing about frustration is you can moan about things, or try and change them. The thing about obstacles is you find ways over them, round them or through them. The thing about inspiration is it makes your goal and the pathway there clear.

My pathway is clear and I will reach my goal.

If I had to sum up our "new normal" it would be sacrifice, challenges, courage, determination and celebration. There is more of each to come which we welcome. We celebrate life and the amazing generosity and kindness of people - our family, the wonderful community we have lived in for 20 years, and strangers who we have encountered along the way.

We now have a mantra for the tough times, when it feels like us against the world: NOT WHY ME? BUT INSTEAD...JUST TRY ME!”

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Andy is humble and would NEVER dream of asking people for help; but he is also an outstanding young man who deserves a ‘leg up’. So this is where I come in. My goal is to raise at least $5000 to pay for his first year at Auckland University. He has made significant changes to his life to support others and I have the utmost confidence in his ability to realise his dream. He will continue to contribute to his family and the New Zealand community.