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
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.