Published on Monday, 23 December 2019 at 7:19:48 AM
The Shire of Denmark held its Adaptive Multisports ‘Have a Go’ Day this month as part of International Day of People with Disability, to foster participation and demonstrate how sports can be modified to include people of all abilities.
Delivered in partnership with WA Disabled Sports Association (WADSA), the day of games attracted over 60 participants including primary and high school students, WADSA regional camp for people with disability participants, the general public, Shire staff and Councillors.
The adaptive games and equipment included bowling, target and hoop shooting, golf and more.
WADSA Managing Director Dereck Mahady said he was impressed with the level of community involvement on the day.
Acting CEO Mr David Schober said the Shire of Denmark is constantly aiming to make Denmark a more inclusive community.
“We are committed to working with the community to promote inclusion and challenge perceptions by focusing on people’s abilities,” he said.
Paralympian Brant Garvey spoke at the event, drawing in around 120 people as he shared his personal story and the basis of his No Xcuses mindset program.
In an interview with the ABC the morning of the event, Garvey spoke about what motivates him to constantly challenge himself.
"As I got older, I started to listen to what people said about what I could and couldn't do, and I started to believe them," he said.
It was around the time Garvey’s sister was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that he began pushing his boundaries.
"I was this guy playing it safe when I had this real-life example of how short life can be.
"It was an injustice to my sister's name to be coasting by… that's when a switch flipped and I started looking to be uncomfortable, looking for challenges that I could do, and pushing the envelope.
"If I can get someone to go, 'wait a minute, if I can push myself slightly harder than what I thought was possible', then I've done my job."
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