The thing that is most extraordinary about Cody Hanson is that he is so ordinary.

He played ward softball and basketball as a teenager, is an Eagle Scout and graduated from seminary. He loves to spend time with family and friends and enjoys University of Utah athletic events.

Currently, the 21-year-old returned missionary is attending college, studying business management.

To look at his life, one would never imagine that he could not eat through his mouth until the age of 2. Or that he was 19 months old before he took his first steps. Or that since birth, he has gone through more than 28 major surgeries. One would not know that as a child he had to be careful because his bones would break easily or that his pediatrician once told his parents that there is no medical reason for him to be alive.

Cody, the youngest of Dennis and Janice Hanson's five children, was born with Carey, Fineman, Ziter Syndrome — a rare and complex medical condition resulting from a combination of his parent's recessive genes. His oldest sister, Tonya, was also born with the syndrome. She died Oct. 27, 1998, at age 38.

Numerous geneticists concluded that Cody and Tonya could be the only ones in the world to suffer from this rare condition. Both were born with symptoms of cystic fibrosis (a respiratory condition), symptoms of muscular dystrophy, double scoliosis of the spine, muscle weakness, a receded chin (causing a severe speech impediment), a partial cleft palate, and facial and throat paralysis. In addition they had small muscle mass, tight Achilles tendons and hamstrings, short stature and difficulty gaining weight.

But Cody Hanson says his life isn't any more difficult than anyone else's life. "Some challenges are visible, some are not," he explained during a recent Church News interview.

Standing 5-foot-tall and weighing 70 pounds, he describes himself as a someone who gives his best every day. "I do what I can," he said. "What I can't do I don't worry about."

During his missionary homecoming Jan. 16, he encouraged a capacity congregation to never give up, to live each day with determination and perseverance, and to love the gospel.

Dozens of friends and former missionary companions, who served with him in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission, drove long hours — some from different states — to attend the sacrament meeting.

His mission president's wife, Suzanne J. Tate, said those who served with Elder Hanson were motivated by his infectious enthusiasm.

She recalled one experience with him that she will never forget.

"Elder Hanson and his companion were at the mission home delivering some papers," she explained. "As they were leaving, the doorbell rang. I answered the door to find a solicitor for a nearby restaurant. I said, 'No, thank you.' Elder Hanson looked up at me, quickly shook my hand saying, 'Good-by, Sister Tate,' and ran down the driveway to the solicitor.

"He immediately struck up a conversation with him. I watched as these two wonderful elders . . . taught this man. What they really did was teach me, the mission president's wife, that every individual is a child of God and needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Letters from missionary companions and Church members also tell the story of this young man's influence for good. One person described him as "the ultimate example of dedication." Another said he is someone who always "does above and beyond his call of duty."

He said he learned to do his best as a child, following the example of his parents and siblings — especially Tonya.

"She opened doors so I could walk through them," he said. "She went through a lot of things I never had to because of her.

"I did things she could only dream of doing, because I was a lot healthier than she was. I saw what she was doing and said, 'If she can do that, I can do even better.' She was my hero."

Just before leaving the mission field he was able to give new missionaries some advice: Don't use labels. Don't label areas, don't label wards or stakes and don't label people.

"We are all human," he said. "Take off all the labels. Get out of your comfort zone. Everyone is your neighbor. Treat everyone like your own family."

Most important, he added, remember the teachings of Jesus Christ in your associations with others.

"I know Jesus Christ died for us. He suffered for all our trials. He knows what we are going through. It doesn't matter who you are, He will help you. He is the only way we can overcome anything."