Byron

Byron is not your average 15-year-old. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in February 2024, he recently became the youngest Pilot to circumnavigate Australia while raising awareness of Crohn’s and fundraising for the Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH).

Byron was first diagnosed with anaphylaxis to dairy and egg when he was three weeks old, followed by chronic eczema at four years old.

As he grew, Byron experienced ongoing symptoms such as lethargy, inflammation, abdominal pain, anaemia, joint pain, and skin problems and frequently visited the QCH.

“It was after Byron underwent a series of colonoscopies and endoscopies, that he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease,” Byron’s mum Jeni, said.

Crohn’s disease is a life-long condition and a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can cause inflammation in the digestive system.

Prior to his diagnosis, Byron spent nine months in the Queensland Children’s Hospital for assessment to determine what was causing his symptoms. After his diagnosis, he underwent treatment including medication and iron infusions, specific diet management, medication, and regular medical tests.

“We made changes in our lives to maintain a consistent routine to keep Byron in remission, while also teaching him stress management and calming techniques,” Jeni said.

“Byron is under the continued care of specialists in immunology, dermatology, and gastroenterology at the QCH with some of his care now managed in the community.”

During his time at the QCH, Byron had the opportunity to attend the QCH School, which was a turning point in his life.

“As parents, we were uncertain about how to help Byron meet his teenage developmental needs. He had no energy, was often sick, and struggled to form friendships,” Jeni said.

“We encouraged him to find a hobby and attending school at the hospital sparked his interest in aviation and flying. We expected him to pick something like art or drama—but instead of choosing a typical hobby, Byron chose to do something extraordinary. He decided to fly aeroplanes.

“He booked his first flying lesson himself, and we took him, thinking they’d turn him away. Instead, he was taken up in a plane, and it was the first time we saw him truly happy. We will always be grateful to those involved in his care, especially Dr Jane Peake and Ramona and the QCH School team.”

Byron’s passion for flying continued to grow and in September 2024, at the age of 14, Byron embarked on a three-week flight, becoming the youngest person to circumnavigate Australia. Byron was joined by his father Robin and flying instructor Rod Flockhart from Flightscope Aviation in the cockpit. The trio made more than 30 stopovers on the journey at locations as remote as Mount Hart Cattle Station in the Kimberley region, to Caiguna on the Nullarbor Plain.

Returning from his trip, Byron’s focus shifted from his health to growth, on a mission to use his journey to inspire others.

“My flight around Australia meant I got to see the challenges those with medical needs in rural communities face,” he said.

“It also taught me to understand and manage my health needs through the disciplined focus required for piloting, while also having fun and learning about mateship and connection with others.

“I trained hard, sticking to my diet, and even taking up rock climbing to build my core strength for the 70 hours of flying. I’ve learned a lot about resilience, problem-solving, and planning, which helped me push through fatigue and other challenges.

“Aviation has given me a sense of purpose. It’s not just about the achievement—it’s about finally being able to do something when, for so long, I couldn’t do much of anything.”

During his journey, Byron raised funds for the QCH and awareness for young people with Crohn’s disease.

“I chose to fundraise because the QCH never gave up on me. Doctors like Dr. Jane Peake taught me to always plan for the next stage in life, no matter how hard things seemed. The staff at the QCH inspired me, and I wanted to give back,” Byron said.

“If I can inspire even one person to do something they love, or to spark the enthusiasm for a new passion, my mission is accomplished. After my flight, I met some newly diagnosed kids at the QCH. Seeing their eyes light up when they saw how healthy I was, gave me a lot of hope that my story can help others.

“I’d like to continue working with the QCH, not just for Crohn’s awareness, but also to help motivate and educate other kids and their families. Being unwell can be lonely, but together, we can help each other live a happy life, just like other kids.”