An inspirational teen blinded as a toddler by an inoperable brain tumour has become an interviewer to the stars.
Brave Malachi Tyler, 15, has fought the odds to live a life far longer than his family could have believed.
And now he has launched his own podcast series in a bid to raise awareness of mental health issues.
In April 2009 Parents Emma, 50, and Graham, 59, were given the heartbreaking news that little Malachi, then aged 15-months, had an incurable brain tumour wrapping itself around both optic nerves, after taking him for a routine MRI scan because of concerns about his development.
He was not expected to live beyond the age of six.
Just months after being given the devastating news about the tumour, his parents noticed he was struggling to crawl and would pat out in front of himself.
They took him for tests and their fears he was going blind were confirmed.
In the early years, chatty Malachi would sing during chemotherapy and blood transfusions, Emma said, acknowledging he has always had a wisdom beyond his years.
But aged just seven, the toll of Malachi’s condition began to affect him differently.
After enduring 13 brain surgeries, Malachi and Emma recall how, eight years ago, he was diagnosed as having suicidal ideation.
As he lay in a hospital bed he told his mum he wanted to die, and that he wanted to do so by jumping into a motorway.
“When you think of a seven-year-old you think of sweet and innocent,” said Malachi, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
“But it was different for me I think. I had had 13 brain surgeries and I remember being in the recovery room after one of them with my mum and saying ‘I want to die’.
“I told her I wanted to do it by jumping out into the motorway.
“I started getting counselling in 2017 but I feel for children as young as that, there’s a massive gap when it comes to mental health provision.
“I speak openly on the podcast about it.”
Malachi started the podcast in April and has already interviewed Dame Kelly Holmes and TV chef Rosemary Shrager, with telly favourite Gino D’Acampo due soon.
His dream is to sit down with superstar singer Adele and This Morning’s Holly Willoughby and Josie Gibson.
“I started the podcast because of my mental health,” he said.
“I’ve been signed off from school since October and I just thought it would be good to start a podcast.
“I talk a lot about mental health and I want to raise awareness of what it can be like for someone so young who struggles.
“I feel like actually doing the podcast has helped me and my mental health has improved since starting it.
“After being diagnosed with suicidal ideation I noticed a massive gap in provisions available. As I’ve got older I think I didn’t get the help I needed back then.”
Malachi also missed school when he was younger because of his condition.
“Missing school was really hard,” he said. “You miss out on all the friends, parties and gossip, everything a child normally enjoys.
“I feel like I’ve had to grow up quite fast.”
Mum Emma, 50, said: “We’re all really proud of him. What he’s doing is quite something, that he’s taken this on and wants to help other people too.”
Malachi’s tumour remains inoperable but it is stable at the moment.
“If it grows, we will deal with it then,” Emma said. “We never thought he would make it to this age.
“When he was first diagnosed we were told it was life limiting and, well, to prepare for the worst, really.
“Every milestone he makes you think ‘oh my goodness, we did not think he would even make it to secondary school’.
“Malachi always amazes us.”
You can find Malachi’s podcast, named Malavision, on various podcast apps.
His story can be followed on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Twitter, with his handle malavision2023.
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
