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MARCH 28, 2024
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‘I can walk again’ Page 3
Missing teenager inquest l YARRABAH
Patient back on feet after 15 years in wheelchair l BAYVIEW HEIGHTS | Isabella Guzman Gonzalez AFTER 15 years limited to a wheelchair, 24-year-old cerebral palsy patient Lily Catelan is walking again thanks to her unyielding spirit and support of her personal trainer. Aiming to get fit and make friends, she decided to join a gym and with her cheerful personality and friendly demeanor – and with the hand of her personal trainer – the Bayview Heights resident conquered her biggest dream six weeks ago to walk again. At age 21, Ms Catelan was questioning if her life was becoming too isolated. So with the encouragement of
her parents and the desire to go out more, socialise and get fit, she started personal training with seasoned trainer Mike Gardi. “I started walking when I was four. I always said to my mum: ‘On my fourth birthday I’m going to walk’ – because I’m the youngest of three siblings and I wanted to be like them,” Ms Catelan said. “Then I had surgery in 2013 and it took a long time to recover, then I had two years where I did nothing, and I thought I would never walk again,” she said. “Training with Mike has been a journey. I thought I would never walk again but Mike said: ‘You’re going to walk one day’.” Ms Catelan persevered and has spent countless hours at the gym.
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After two years working together, Lily Catelan (right) and personal trainer Mike Gardi have achieved Ms Catelan’s goal of walking again. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez
AN inquest is to be held into the disappearance of Yarrabah teenager Markiah ‘Mackey’ Major. Coroner Stephanie Williams has scheduled a pre-inquest conference at Yarrabah Courthouse on April 24 at 10am. The preliminary hearing is where the coroner decides what issues to examine, who the parties are, which witnesses will be called, how long the inquest will take and where to hold it. The inquest will investigate when, where, and how Mr Major (above) died and what caused his death. The 17-year-old was last seen by his mum Kamaree Major at Westcourt on August 12 last year and was reported missing to police on September 2. A stolen car found dumped at Yarrabah on August 19 contained his ATM and Medicare cards and his wallet. Police have extensively searched creeks and bushland at Yarrabah looking for him or anything connected to his disappearance using divers and a detection dog. If you have any information on a missing person, or wish to report a missing person call Policelink on 131 444, or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.