“A rewarding life is filled with challenge, so do not pity me. Give me a chance!”, Thomas Gatu, Special Olympics Athlete.
With the Special Olympics this month in the Manawatu, Max Stroomer is doing his bit to make the world a better place.
While most teenagers are watching TV or playing video games on a Sunday night, you’ll find 14-year-old Max down at the North Shore leisure pool in Takapuna, coaching the North Harbour Special Olympic swim team.
Max got involved through his parents.
“I got in to the swim coaching and because the atmosphere was so fantastic I decided, well my husband and I decided, it would be great for our kids to come along and help out and that’s how Max got involved and he’s never looked back,” says Max’s mum.
The athletes he trains think he’s “the cat’s whiskers”.
“He’s a great guy and he knows how to be a fun person and he actually teaches the funness from people like all other swimmers like us,” says athlete Tim Fairhall.
But it’s not all about the fun.
“He’s getting us into the competitive side, like making sure we swim faster and also make sure we do our tumble turns right and touching of the walls,” says athlete Rebecca Everard
Not only is Max making progress in the pool he’s also doing his bit to get the team to the National Championships in Palmerston North.
He has made a video appeal and posted it on YouTube, raising $1300 to help the team get to the Championships. Check out the You Tube site to make a donation.
TVNZ News 30 November 2009
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