Raising Chad is such an adventure

DURBAN North has a new celebrity who is creeping into the hearts of everyone who has met him or who follows him on Facebook.

Five-year-old Chad Classens may look different due to a rare genetic disorder, but it has not stopped him from living life to the fullest as any other child his age would.

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Chad was born with a rare condition called Apert Syndrome which is a genetic disorder characterised by the premature fusion of certain skull bones (craniosynostosis).

This early fusion prevents the skull from growing normally and affects the shape of the head and face. The condition can also affect the fingers and toes which are often fused together (syndactyly).

It is not hereditary and is rather a spontaneous genetic error that just occurs.
Chad’s father, Brad, recently started a Facebook page called Raising Chad, where events and stories from Chad’s everyday life are shared.

The purpose of the page, however, goes deeper than that.

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“Chad is starting to notice people staring at him when we’re out, and he asks why they’re staring. We want to educate people, and we want people to educate their children by teaching them that we are all different and unique in our own way, and instead of staring, rather say hello,” said Brad.

On Chad’s Facebook page, you’ll see the slogan, ‘Instead of don’t stare, let’s start teaching say hello’. You’ll also see Brad affectionally referring to his son as his little Samurai, and one thing is for sure – this father and son duo love going on adventures.

“It’s taken us five years, but we’ve finally started a Facebook page. I regularly updated my personal page with Chad’s progress and have moved all the content across. We’d appreciate follows, shares and likes,” he said.

Chad was also born with two holes in his heart and since birth, has had numerous surgeries, doctors’ visits and therapy sessions.

“The holes have closed up, and he no longer has to see his cardiologist,” said Brad.

Chad’s mom, Tracey, said doctors told them to prepare for the worst after he was born.

“Chad has proven them wrong. It took him longer to reach certain milestones, but he eventually did. He can walk and talk and is attending school. He is very intelligent and loves cars. He knows the parts of the car and loves fixing them, too,” she said.

Where Chad gained all this knowledge about mechanics and engineering remains a mystery as Brad says only one percent of Chad’s time is spent on screen time and the rest of it is spent outdoors playing, learning and exploring.

“The Durban North community have been so warm towards Chad, but we still get people, and adults surprisingly, who stare at him. Come say hello and get to know our little boy. He is so gentle yet strong-willed and opinionated. He loves his little brother, Connor, and mentally, he is so wise and way ahead of his years. He really is an old soul. Brad jokes that he is five going on 15. Chad also has such a great sense of humour,” said Tracey.

Speaking to Northglen News, before he headed outside to where he would rather be, Chad spoke about what’s been happening in his life recently.

“I turned five and had a party at Midmar Dam,” he said.

When asked what it was like and whether he enjoyed it, in his own humorous style, he said, “Too many people.”

He said he loved his granny whom he fondly refers to as ‘Gaga’, and his favourite food is biscuits.

“I also love crumpets, apple juice and avo on toast,” he said.

“I’m also a brother now. My brother’s name is Connor ‘beanpot’. I can’t go to school every day because he’s going to miss me too much,” said Chad.

When asked what he was going to be when he grows up, he replied, “A big man.”

You can follow and get to know Chad by following his Facebook page: Raising Chad. If you see him out and about, don’t stare – say hello.

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