Sunshine Coast swimmer Braedan Jason is heading to his first Commonwealth Games due to the classification being offered for the first time, but has already represented Australia in two Paralympics, the most recent in Tokyo where he had his best result in the men’s 400m freestyle s13 placing fourth.
The 24-year-old began swimming at eight years old, starting as a nipper in Surf Life Saving, around the same time as he was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy.
Braeden – who is legally blind – trains nine times a week for up to five hours a day, focussing on the black lines in the pool.
“It has become automatic now that when I am in the pool I can sense the black line, the tee at the end of the black line, and know it is either a two-stroke touch or a one and a half stroke turn,” Braedan said.
“That’s what I am looking at when I am racing; I am not looking at anyone else just head down looking at the black line trying to get from point A to point B as fast as I can.”
In addition to swimming Braedan began working for ABC radio as a producer this year, after completing a Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Sunshine Coast.
“Most of my swim training is in the morning so ABC put me on the afternoons as this is what I want to do when I retire from swimming,” he said.
“It’s been great being able to swim as an elite athlete and working in my dream job.”
As one of four brothers, Braedan’s younger brother – who has the same eye condition as Braedan – is also a competitive swimmer and more recently turned his athletic skills to running sprints on the track.
Paralympian Braedan is reaching for Commonwealth Games gold in the pool as he represents Australia in the 50m freestyle s13.
Both brothers have been able to live more independently thanks to their NDIS support and funding application assistance from Carers Queensland.
“Having two people with vision impairment in one household has been difficult; the NDIS has been great to alleviate the pressures my parents have,” Braedan said.
“Having the NDIS support me to live more independently ensures my partner and my parents aren’t carers, they can just be parents or my girlfriend.”
For more information contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au
Keep an eye out for Braedan in the pool during the Commonwealth Games from 27 July or visit
