Amazing Aussie Dad On A Mission!

With his son on his back, Michael did the tough Kokoda Trail to raise funds for cerebral palsy.

- Natalee Fuhrmann 

Was it madness or heroics? Michael Shearman is yet to decide, after hauling his six-year-old son Max, who has cerebral palsy, 96km over the harshest terrain Papua New Guinea has to offer.

Exhausted but thrilled to have completed the gruelling Kokoda Trail, Woman’s Day spoke to proud wife and mum Claire while the boys were out of reach making their way home.

“There were moments I thought Mick was completely mad,” says Claire, 41. “But he’s my hero and I think it’s absolutely outstanding what he’s done.”

The idea to complete the Kokoda Trail was hatched to raise money to trial the effectiveness of the TheraSuit, an intensive therapy suit Max has been using for the past few months. It’s already helped him to walk and ride a bike.

Come Kokoda time, Max’s weight had increased from 22kg to 26kg and Michael, 45, knew he’d have his work cut out for him.

“The extra four kilos got Mick really nervous,” laughs Claire, who has a two-year-old daughter and two older stepsons with her husband.