Making the Special Olympics 2022 swimming squad was a dream come true for Oliver, who recently told his mother he was racing for his late stepfather Wayne.
“I didn’t ever dream that Oliver would be able to participate in these games, but he did, and when he was training he once said ‘Mum, I want to go to the Special Olympics’,” Valerie said.
“He’s been to a training camp on the Gold Coast and attended all the swimming meets and has improved so much. When he swam in Brisbane recently, he had three races and got three personal bests.”
Oliver is part of the Special Olympics Queensland squad and one of nearly 1000 athletes living with an intellectual disability who converged on Launceston in Tasmania on 17 October for the 2022 Special Olympics Australian National Games.
While Valerie couldn’t travel alongside Oliver to Tasmania, she flew down to be poolside and watch her 38-year-old son achieve his dream. Oliver’s father Ian, who helps transport his son to swimming training and other activities, also travelled down to watch his son compete.
Oliver, who lives with Down syndrome, uses his National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports to help him train at least four times a week. He’s previously been supported to take part in the Noosa Triathlon and currently practises Tai Chi and aqua aerobics.
“Oliver has always wanted to be fit and when he attends aqua aerobics, he sings all the songs and is a very special and loved member of the group,” Valerie said.
“Swimming is also very good for Oliver because he has low muscle tone, in fact that’s how he got started with the sport, after the physiotherapist suggested it.
“My other son Dan recently took a photo of Oliver winning a swimming race, and even though there was only one other competitor when he got to the finish line Oliver leapt out of the pool yelling ‘Yes, I came first’.”
Valerie says gaining access to the NDIS had made a huge difference to her son’s life, saying he can now participate in a variety of activities every day, get involved in his local community and slowly start to become more independent.
She says knowing Oliver has help also makes her feel more supported in her role as a full-time carer, particularly now she’s on her own following the passing of her partner of 20 years, Wayne. Valerie said the loss had been very tough on them both.
“Wayne used to do lots of things with Oliver and was so good with him and it’s been quite difficult to cope emotionally, but Oliver and I have each other which is lovely,” Valerie said.
“When he swims he often says, ‘I did that race for Wayne’ which breaks my heart but is also so lovely at the same time.”
Support workers help Oliver with meal preparation, take him to drama classes and help him tend to daily tasks. He lives in a self-contained unit attached to his mother’s house but spends the nights and mornings with Valerie.
“While he has support workers to help with most of his daily tasks, on Saturday mornings he cooks me scrambled eggs for breakfast which is just so special,” she said.
Oliver also accesses NDIS supports so he can attend a local Men’s Shed, where he is currently making his mum a big potting bench so she can easily repot her orchids and other flowers.
“I know he’s actually doing it because he comes home and all his clothes are covered in paint,” Valerie said.
“He does something every day, including working at a café in Tewantin. Oliver has worked there for two years and recently progressed to working twice a week.
“Often the owner turns up the music loud for Oliver to sing a song or do some hip hop dancing for customers and they give him a big applause. A little while ago a customer gave him a keyboard they weren’t using. He’s well known in the community.”
Valerie said Oliver also loved drama saying to his mother that he “was born to be a star”.
He recently joined a drama group through Black Box Theatre in Nambour and he’s rehearsing for a role as Peter Pan’s shadow.
“Oliver has such a bright and positive personality and is particularly organised and loves being on time,” she said.
“For the past four years Oliver has organised a barbecue for his friends and others with a disability and they meet at a park every second Sunday. It was Oliver who rang around everyone to let them know and then we printed off wall calendars with the meetup dates on them and sent them to his friends.
“It’s quite lovely, and with the help of their NDIS-funded support workers they all get together and have a barbecue and then walk down to the marina and have ice-cream.”
Valerie said she and Wayne had planned a holiday together in Fiji in 2023, and instead of cancelling the trip she decided to bring Oliver with her so they could enjoy time away together.
“I was born and raised in Fiji and I thought what a lovely trip it would be with Oliver, and the Fijians are so lovely and I know they will help him on the kayaks and other water sports,” she said.
“As I get older I’m so pleased to know that Oliver is being supported by the NDIS to live the life he wants. Quite simply Oliver loves life, and as a parent and caregiver that makes everything worthwhile.
“My advice to other parents is that when there are hard times and you don’t think that they can achieve something, hang in there. People with disability can achieve so much if you believe in them and encourage them. I’m so proud of Oliver.”
To access assistance for people with disabilities contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636 or email cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au
