Elliott Cunnew, from Collaroy, Australia is what you might call a cool dad.
Elliot is the father two kids, 20-year-old Amelia, and 17-year-old Lachie. During the day, he sells private security, but on the side, he plays with four other rocker dads in a band called The Patriarchs. They’ve been together for about seven years. He sings lead vocals and goes by the nickname Crazy Legs.
When his drummer suggested playing a charity concert, Elliott knew which organization he wanted to support. He and his wife have been involved with Tuberous Sclerosis Australia for many years. Tuberous Sclerosis Australia is a group that relies entirely on donations in order to offer support for families affected by the rare condition.
For the Cunnews, the cause strikes close to the heart. Their daughter, Amelia, is one of the 2,000 people in Australia who live with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC).
TSC is a genetic condition that causes benign tumors to form throughout the body. The tumors can form anywhere– in the brain, eyes, skin, heart, kidneys, or lungs. They can result in altered facial appearance, learning and intellectual disabilities, kidney disease, mental health challenges, and epilepsy. To read more patient stories and news related to Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, click here.
Elliott says that managing Amelia’s epilepsy has been particularly challenging. Now that she’s on various different medications, she only has about two breakthrough seizures a day. Though that may sound like a lot, it’s an improvement from the more difficult ones she struggled with when she was younger.
Elliot is photographed sitting with Amelia on the porch of their home. She’s looking away from the camera and smiling, with her hand placed over his. Her nails are painted green. It’s a tender moment.
This relationship and commitment to his daughter is what ultimately makes Elliot something even cooler than a cool dad: a good dad.
