Carlin Renouf, 8, is nominated for Child of Courage Pride of Australia medal

THIS little one was born with a diaphragmatic hernia, deformed lungs and ribs, and with one kidney sitting higher than it should. It hasn’t stopped him one bit.

CARLIN Renouf was born with the odds against him.

The eight-year-old from Redbank Plains spent the first weeks of his life in an intensive care unit and had his first major operation when he was just one day old, after his heart was found to be on the wrong side of his body.

The football fanatic was born with a diaphragmatic hernia, his stomach and bowel had pushed through a hole the hernia formed which also led to deformed lungs and ribs, and with one kidney sitting higher than it should.

Despite his condition Carlin’s determination to thrive has awed his family, who have dubbed him the “cotton wool kid”, and earned him a nomination for a Pride of Australia Child of Courage award.

“There was a baby in the hospital when Carlin was there and he had the exact same thing and that baby didn’t last. Carlin’s doctor said he was going to work on him until he was perfect because he’s a miracle child,” mum Naomi Malone said.

It’s a sentiment that Ms Malone, 27, has hung on to throughout Carlin’s medical difficulties and will rely on when he faces the prospect of major surgery to rearrange his organs in two years.

“I’m a very proud mum for how far he’s come, he’s a very smart kid and he loves his football,” Ms Malone said.

Pride of Australia nominations have been extended to August 3. Do you know a local legend? Nominate them now by following the link.