Chat with a Paralympian - Part 2

I was at a breakfast last week and got some really inspiring things from a man named Brad Ness. One thing I learned from him is that a physical disability doesn't hold nor should it hold you back in achieving. You determine how it holds you back or how it lets you fly.

In fact everyone has a disability which they guide the path of. My Mum, for example, Mums disability is she is too caring and puts others ahead of herself. This can weigh her down as she would rather help someone else succeed than herself. As amazing as that makes her, that can hold her back, if she lets it.

Now my last snippet from Amber Merritt. One thing I would like to point out about this amazing star, is how much effort she puts in to other people and giving a hand. I sometimes believe she doesn't even notice how much she is giving to this world whether it be Whiz Kids, Rebound WA as a whole or even just her daily boost of enthusiasm.

How did you get involved in Rebound WA and what has changed since you started.

I moved from England at 10 years of age, and back then I was a keen swimmer. I was introduced to Rebound WA (then Wheelchair Sports WA) through my swimming coach at the time. Before long I was introduced to so many new sports, friends and opportunities. All impacting my life in such a positive way that I now feel the need to evoke that feeling in our own junior members. A lot has changed, location (we used to be in this giant shed at Osbourne Park), outreach to potential members and the impact we have on people. The name is of course a big change… as the previous name (Wheelchair Sports WA) limited us, we’re not just about sport, and not just about wheelchairs. We’re an organisation that promotes inclusivity to all people living with a physical disability & we create opportunities for people to get involved in recreational activities and sport, if they wish.

What do you enjoy most about now working at Rebound WA The people, the fun, being able to educate, being able to have a voice for those who feel to debilitated to speak up… there’s so much I love about it. I love my job. I love being able to give back to an organisation that 14 years ago, when I joined, gave me so much. This place is rich in history… history that I’d say 50 % of our members aren’t aware of. Being an athlete and an employee I love being presented the opportunity to bring that to our members, especially our junior members, because unless you know all the work that proceeded you, you won’t understand the positive impacts you can have moving forward on our future members.

I know you are an advocate for people with disabilities. Why did you get into this.

To be honest, I kind of fell into it. I didn’t think until late last year, I was even worthy of the title disability advocate, but I guess in the eyes of others I am, and I was wrong haha. For me I advocate hard for those with invisible disabilities or illness. Kid’s with limitations that aren’t visible can end up feeling ashamed, which has such a negative impact. I want those kids to know it’s ok. It’s ok to be different. That owning your true self is ok, and no one who calls themselves your friend is going to judge or dislike you for that. I hate hearing stories of people who fall into a mental illness because their surrounding world can’t understand that they’re living with something that isn’t visible to the naked eye. People with any limitation shouldn’t have to explain themselves. End of story.

What is the most amazing experience you have had in your life this far?

The greatest experience in my life was birthed out of being a Paralympian. I met a now 9 year old who has club feet through social media. His family and himself are from Melbourne, so to know being an athlete at that level had impacted someone in a completely different timezone to me was trippy. We have now forged a friendship that’s formidable, and his strength and determination is so inspiring. I’ve experienced some amazing things in my life, and a lot of people expect me to say that the Paralympics was my best experience. But truth is having this family, going through their own clubfoot journey, being able to talk with them and swap stories and together with this young boy advocate for the same thing is the greatest experience. We’re family now, our own little twisted foot, clubfoot warrior family… that’s my greatest experience.