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Special Olympics Papakura

  • Rishup Singh

      12 April 2021

    Rishup sharing his thoughts

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  • Testimonial from a proud parent of on of our athletes

      11 April 2021

    Noah always had endless amounts of energy as a baby/toddler. He didn't understand personal space and had a hard time "fitting in" at primary school (this is just to name a couple of things). I spent most nights from the time he was born until he was 10 worrying & crying about his future and whether I was a good mother. No one listened when I'd share my concerns about symptoms -I kept getting told "that's what boys are like" But that gut feeling never went away, leading us to getting a private formal diagnosis at age 10 with mild autism (Asperger's Syndrome), mild ADD and anxiety (a lot of kids with disabilities have anxiety). It might seem silly to some, that having a "label" could change his life.

    That year he was a nominee for the academic cup. Year 7 saw him set off to intermediate where he transitioned so well! Year 8 he was asked to be in the advanced class and he joined Special Olympics -this was a hugely defining moment. This is when his WHOLE life changed! He got more active, started holding himself up with confidence and carrying himself with pride (he grew 15cm taller and lost 13kg in 4 months!) Learnt to swim very quickly under Special Olympics, and discovered he is a Sprint Swimmer.

    Noah has always been an intelligent boy, but it positively impacted his school work (alot of oral presentations which would never have been 'his thing'). Instead of living in defense mode; where his world was very small and limited, he was out there -trying new things.

    Last year he was nominated by his teachers to be a Junior House Leader and encouraged to apply. This saw him get up in front of his Year 9 house peers to give a speech and saw him voted in as the Year 10 House Leader at his colllege of 1600 (by his peers!). Mainstream College where very few of the students know about his 'disabilites'!

    I hope by sharing this little bit of insight, people realise that disability doesn't mean you can't succeed. Because our beautiful boy reminds us everyday that YES YOU CAN!!!

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