Rory Sykes' mother mourns his loss in Palisades Fire, vows to rebuild sanctuary
LOS ANGELES - From the moment Rory Callum Sykes was born in 1992, Shelley Sykes knew her son was extraordinary.
"His life was a blessing to me," Shelley said through tears. "He made me a better person."
Born blind and with cerebral palsy, Rory faced significant challenges early in life. Shelley, however, was determined for him to thrive.
"He started having surgery as a baby," she said. "He had nine surgeries to straighten his legs, straighten his eyes, and he used to watch ‘Forrest Gump’ all the time when he was 4. He got the all-clear in his eyes at 8, but he took his first step after watching ‘Forrest Gump’ 400 times."
Rory went on to live an extraordinary life. The Australian appeared on the British TV show "Kiddy Kapers," became a motivational speaker about overcoming disabilities, and co-founded a charity.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Rory Sykes, former child star, killed in California wildfires, mom reports
"He’s had an extraordinary life because I decided that no matter what happens, he was able to live like other kids and be loved," Shelley said, her voice breaking.
Rory lived in a cottage on Shelley’s 17-acre Malibu estate, which housed the Mount Malibu TV Studios. On Tuesday, as the Palisades Fire consumed the area, Shelley tried desperately to convince her son to leave.
But Rory told her he had swollen feet and wanted to be near a bathroom, and locked the door to his cottage.
She sprang into action when she saw embers falling on the cottage’s roof.
"I covered my hair because there were embers flying around and grabbed the hosepipe next to his cottage—but there was no water!" she said. "So that freaked me out. I had to race back to the main house, and all the power had gone off."
In a desperate bid for help, Shelley loaded her two peacocks into her car and drove to the nearest fire station.
"When I got there, the firefighters said, ‘Shelley, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to have evacuated.’ And I said, ‘Rory needs help—there’s no water!’" she recalled.
She said the fire department sent a captain and an engine to the property, but it was too late. Forty-five minutes later, Shelley received the devastating news that her son was gone.
"When I got there, it was even more devastating," she said. "All three cottages were cinders—less than an hour, burned to the ground. My house was absolutely down to the ground. There was nothing left."
As Shelley mourns the loss of her son, she is determined to rebuild the sanctuary they once shared.
"I’m going to make it even better because I’m going to rebuild and make it a special area for Rory," she said. "Hopefully, he will be able to rest there in peace."
A GoFundMe has been set up by Netball America.
The Source: This story was reported with information from an interview with Shelley Sykes.