King Khoder's Super Wish
10-year-old Khoder was crowned 'King of Movie World' after meeting his favourite superheroes
A shocking diagnosis
Khoder was born a “perfect baby who ticked all the boxes”, said Hooda, Khoder's mum. When he turned one, Hooda and her husband, Jalal began to notice some changes in their son.
“There was something about his features; his head was big, and his hands started to look a bit abnormal,” Hooda said.
Doctors began tests on Khoder, and after a long six months, the results came back. Khoder had an enzyme deficiency, a progressive condition called mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) that causes many tissues and organs to enlarge. Skeletal abnormalities are also common.
“It’s a gene thing,” Hooda said, “Me and my husband have the same gene, and it turns out we have passed it onto Khoder... Your whole world just crumbles down. It was an absolute shock.”
The hero's journey
Khoder’s life involves a visit to the hospital every Friday for enzyme replacement. Medicine goes into Khoder’s small body via a port over eight hours. He has also had procedures or operations on his eyes, ears, upper spine, lower spine, trachea, and hips.
Khoder is non-verbal and uses an app to communicate. He can’t run but can walk for about four minutes at a time before he is out of breath.
“His condition will get worse,” Hooda said. “You see the condition getting to him and think, 'How much worse is it going to get?' We don’t really talk about it (the future). He’s just a happy boy so we leave it at that.”
Although the family don't often talk about Khoder's future, they do talk about Khoder’s wish 'to meet his favourite superheroes at Movie World'.
His treatment is not a cure; it just slows his condition down and makes it less painful.
Hooda, Khoner's mum
Khoder meets his heroes
Khoder’s trip to the Gold Coast was a VIP journey all the way, from the moment he was invited into the cockpit of the plane in Melbourne.
Together with mum, dad, and his four siblings, Khoder visited Movie World, Australia’s home of superheroes and super-villains. Dressed in his Superman outfit, Khoder waited inside a room for a special meeting with his favourite legends.
Hooda recalled that Khoder was grumpy waiting, but the frown disappeared the minute Superman, Wonder Woman, and others walked in.
“His face just lit up,” Hooda said, “He was so happy. He likes superheroes because they fly and they fight. And they get all the bad guys.”
The king of Movie World
Khoder's wish didn't end there. He was also crowned 'King of Movie World', receiving a crown, cape, and septar of his own. Khoder was then chauffeured down Main Street with all the characters for the 'Street Stars Parade.'
“Movie World was the best,” Hooda said, “We have still got his wrist band and he wants to go there again.”
Hooda also mentioned that the entire Wish Journey was unforgettable.
“It was an amazing trip; we will never forget it. We are so grateful to the Make-A-Wish community and volunteers, you guys are amazing,” she said.
Make-A-Wish helps sick children like my son and makes their biggest wish come true!
Hooda, Khoder's mum
Wish provides comfort
Make-A-Wish volunteer Emily (who dressed as Wonder Woman for Khoder’s pre-wish presentation at his school assembly) said Khoder was a “little superhero himself”.
“He has to be strong, and he is,” she said. “The excitement in his eyes and the smile that lines his face was from ear to ear whenever we discussed his wish.”
Hooda said the wish trip came at a good time, given Khoder’s impending hip and knee surgeries, which will require a year to recover from.
“To make this happen for the family was so important, especially as he’s facing big surgery again soon," said Emily.
