09 August 2011
A seventeen year old Caerphilly boy who beat the odds to become a sporting champion has been recognised by the Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Vera Jenkins.
Lewis Akril scooped two gold medals and one silver at this year's World Kidney Transplant games after battling serious illness throughout his childhood.
Cllr Jenkins invited Lewis to a meeting of Full Council at the chamber in Penallta House recently to congratulate him on his fantastic achievement.
Cllr Jenkins said, "Lewis is an inspiration and I was delighted to invite him to Penallta House to formally acknowledge his medal success. He is a shining example of a young person who has triumphed in the face of adversity and I'm sure he will go on to great things in the future"
Lewis was taken to hospital at the age of 9 with suspected appendicitis, where he and his family received the devastating news that he would need a new kidney after suffering chronic renal failure, a condition where Lewis's kidneys had failed to develop.
After the diagnosis Lewis was given a great deal of medication and underwent a successful kidney transplant at Bristol's Children's Hospital. Despite his illness, brave Lewis did not hesitate when asked to take part in the British Transplant games in Bath in 2005.
Completing in a total of 6 British transplant games since then, Lewis has improved each time receiving a an impressive four gold medals in both the 100 and 200 meters, long jump and ball throw at last years games.
Aware of his athletic talents, the teen set his sights high on competing in this year's world transplant games in Gothenburg, Sweden. He won gold in the 100m, ball throw and silver in the long jump.
The world transplant games allow participants to meet and inspire each other, with each person having a different, unique story. The games are seen as a good way of getting better faster and are a help to many in the recovery stages after a transplant. The world games are also a way of making donors and their families more visible.
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