Meet Samuel. He’s five years old and he wants to know how everything works. He loves cars, trains and computers.

Samuel also loves swimming. His mum Michelle says he is a “complete water baby who spends most of his time in the pool under water.”

That wasn’t always the case. Samuel has the rare genetic disorder White-Sutton Syndrome causing autism and Global Development Delay, including gross motor delays. Samuel used to be fearful of swimming and particularly hated getting his face wet; this was compounded by his disabilities. Samuel needed more than a single weekly lesson to be safe around water and master his swimming skills.

Samuel and his mum worked closely with his therapy services team who encouraged them to apply for the Ability WA Sports and Recreation Scholarship. Funded by our generous donors, this special initiative is aimed at reducing barriers for children with disabilities to participate in the sports or recreation activities they love.

Knowing it would allow her to provide Samuel with consistent and more intensive lessons, Michelle successfully applied. The scholarship funded six months of swimming lessons. Michelle expected the swimming lessons to build Samuel’s strength and skills in the pool. What she didn’t expect was the confidence the swimming lessons gave Samuel out of the pool.

Michelle says, “Not only was Samuel able to participate in school swimming with his classmates this year, he was actually around the same level as his peers, didn’t need any special assistance and passed his level.

Since he needs support in every other aspect of his school life, it has been amazing for his confidence.”

And what does Samuel say?

“I love jumping in and going under water!”