Simeon Wakely

When I first met Simeon in 2006, he was a very shy retiring child, anxious and extremely lacking in self confidence, but he was determined to learn to swim. However, being severely disabled from birth, his level of disability meant he had a real struggle - he sinks better than he floats!! However it wasn't long before his cheeky, bubbly personality began to shine through and he developed a fierce determination to become as independent as possible in the water. All along the way he rose to the challenges presented to him and always came up smiling in the end. As a testament to his increased confidence and his willingness to look beyond himself and use his abilities for the benefit of others, in 2009 he decided off his own bat, to do a fund-raising wheelchair push round the streets near his home and raised £1,100 for charity. Despite the severity of his disability he has since gone on to participate in other sports including wheelchair tennis and now basketball. Even though health problems mean he is not the strongest athlete and could never reach a highly competitive level, he is a shining example of what can be achieved with determination, enthusiasm and application despite the challenges of a disability.