Young musician battles cancer to create inspirational songs
A young man from East Gwillimbury who has overcome cancer three times, received two bone marrow transplants and, at one point, was in a wheelchair and told he wouldn't walk again – is accomplishing yet another feat.
"Eight years ago, the doctor told me just take your son home and spend some quality time because there's nothing else that can be done," said Elham Badali, Tymaz Bagbani Disjani's mother.
Disjani had dreams of playing pro soccer overseas, but those dreams were sidelined by a nearly decade-long fight with leukemia that featured three trips to the ICU and two bone marrow transplants.
"That's my life, man," said Disjani.
"The reason I'm alive today, I tell a lot of people, is because of my love of soccer and the love to give back to the game. That's what kept me going throughout my difficult times."
Now the 25-year-old Richmond Hill man has pivoted his passion by pouring all his energy into releasing an album that tells his story.
"I was told no so many times. I was told what I can't do so many times. But I never let that doubt in my mind. The power of self-belief is real, and because of that, I'm here today," he said.
"His music is real," Badali said.
She believes what Disjani has gone through has given him a unique perspective on life.
Bound to a wheelchair at one point, Tymaz was told he would never walk again. Now he not only walks but has his own car. Something even he can't help but smile at.
"I spent seven birthdays straight at Sick Kids hospital. I grew up there. This was a long process. It took me a decade to get to where I am right now," he said.
Disjani says watching Canada's World Cup journey has been difficult
"Half the starting lineup, I either played on the same team or went to the same camps growing up. I knew I would be there if I was given the opportunity. But this is life, and we just have to take what we're given and try to make the most of it," he said.
Disjani hopes his album labelled Tymaz, can be an inspiration to others. And now that he has a catalogue of songs to perform, he hopes to host a benefit concert to give back to the SickKids Foundation that has helped him beat the odds.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.