Carter Drake got a special visit in hospital from his favourite Magpie Shannan Chase. Photo / Jonathan Dine
Carter Drake got a special visit in hospital from his favourite Magpie Shannan Chase. Photo / Jonathan Dine
Carter Drake couldn't stop grinning when he came face to face with his hero.
Magpies winger Shannan Chase took time out of his ITM Cup season preparation yesterday to visit his biggest fan in hospital. The meeting, at Hawke's Bay Hospital, followed a story in Saturday's Hawke's Bay Today Weekendin which the brave 7-year-old spoke of his wish to meet his hero. Chase was only too happy to oblige.
Carter has endured a lifetime of pain and suffering from a complex and evolving progressive disorder. Intestinal failure [IF] is a multisystem disease affecting all aspects of his life, causing lethargy, fatigue and pain in his muscles, abdomen, bowel and bones. He is hooked up to two machines 12 hours at night, which feed him through a tube to give the digestive system some relief. Carter is still in hospital with a throat infection that has knocked him back for the past week.
Carter said Chase was his favourite player "because he's good and he's fast". He believes he will be an All Black one day.
Members of the Magpies squad visited the hospital last week to attend the Hawke's Bay launch of a nationwide children's hospital appeal. All Carter wanted to know was, "Where's Shannan?"
Chase had been unable to attend the launch, but made up for it with yesterday's surprise visit, helping the young boy build his latest Lego masterpiece.
Carter wished Chase luck for the upcoming season and was confident the 'Pies would retain the Ranfurly Shield for the summer.
Carter said his friends would be green with envy that he got to meet the Magpies, while Chase was content with making Carter's day. "I knew Carter wanted to see me. It's worth it to see that smile," Chase said.
