RDNZ_2026-ISSUE0809_DIGITAL MAGAZINE

almost like he’s finally started to find himself,” says Hudson’s Dad, Pete Nicholas. Brooklyn continues, “Hudson doesn’t tend to focus too much on his cerebral palsy. I was once talking to Hudson about someone’s disability and tried to explain it to him, like his legs that don’t work properly. He turned around and told me, “My legs are fine, Mum!” “The only thing he doesn’t like is all the hospital visits, the pain from procedures and how much harder he has to work and all the therapy he has to have compared to his friends and everyone else. He’d like people to understand that things are harder for him but not impossible and that he can do anything they can – sometimes it’s just a little different,” she adds. Hudson isn’t sitting on the side watching others live life. He can do anything that they can do, including climbing a mountain! “His Krazi Kosci Klimb was amazing – words can’t explain how much he has changed from doing the climb. The next morning, he dressed himself. He is still unable to do buttons and zippers or tie his shoelaces. But the fact that he wanted to the next day just opened his eyes to things he never thought possible.” “He was on the ABC’s BTN (Behind the News) and all his classmates saw it – they were super excited by it all and very encouraging,” adds Brooklyn proudly. When asked what he learnt from the experience, Hudson adds, “That I can do anything, including a trick shot on top of a mountain!” A Huge Achievement Inspiring A New Lease On Life “It’s certainly one of his biggest achievements, and we believe it was the catalyst for him and us as a family to start taking on life without fear or the unknown. Going through something as we did with Hudson and his diagnosis is that often, as parents, we put the limitations on him and ourselves. However, this Krazy Kosci Klimb adventure removed this barrier for us all and made us realise we can actually achieve anything.” The Krazy Kosci Klimb experience drew this already tight- knit family even closer. “Pete and Hudson have always been very close; they have actually just come back from a camping holiday in Bendalong, surfing, walking, fishing, and having big chats around the fire at night, and of course, lots of basketball. “I CAN DO ANYTHING, INCLUDING A TRICK SHOT ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN!” reader ’ s digest 26   august/september 2026 “The boys couldn’t be any closer, but as a family, it gave us the confidence that we can do anything. After the climb last year, we packed up our house and spent four months in Italy with Hudson’s godparents, who live in Tuscany. We were in our own house in the forest, miles away from home, hospitals, therapy and school. It was such an adventure! We then took him on a 12-day cruise to hard-to-access beaches in Greece and Santorini with all the cliff tops. We pushed him in his wheelchair everywhere. We would love to do as many adventures as we can to make up for the year we lost living in the hospital when he was younger. He has now been to seven countries and counting!” Star Support Inspiring ‘The Hudson Globetrotters’ Hudson is a huge fan of the Harlem Globetrotters and received a personalised video of encouragement for his Kosi Krazy Klimb fromThunder Law. “He was over the moon to hear from Corey (Thunder) Law – at first, he thought it was AI and wasn’t real. The experience has continued, and Hudson was able to go backstage and meet the whole Harlem Globetrotters team on their recent tour. Brooklyn adds, “He got all their signatures, got to do some tricks with them, and then they asked him to sit with them on the bench with the team during the whole game – getting high fives throughout! Now he wants to start training to join the team one day!” “Hudson is a natural athlete. He and Dad go surfing every weekend, go on camping trips, play basketball, tennis, soccer, AFL and go on walks. He has started looking at narrowing down a sport he would like to focus on through athletics and is considering trying to qualify for the Brisbane Paralympics 2032.” “Pete and I couldn’t be prouder of Hudson. When he was born, we were told that he wouldn’t walk or talk, and that we should lower our expectations as parents; he just blows our mind with how happy, funny and determined he is.” “Apart from the confronting medical procedures we watched Hudson endure, and the moments when we were told we might have to say goodbye, one of the hardest parts has been navigating the NDIS. It can feel like you’re expected to be grateful for whatever support is approved, while knowing that if you question a decision, it could all be taken away just as quickly. Even something as simple as renewing an accessible parking permit means repeatedly proving that Hudson still has cerebral palsy—as though it’s a condition he might one day grow out of!” PHOTO CREDIT TO COME readersdigest.co.nz     27 Inspirational