LIFE hasn’t been easy for 29 year-old Matthew Walters of Beechmont as he copes each day dealing with Spina Bifida.
He loves sports, but because of his condition he has never been able to play any contact games.
It meant finding suitable sports he could enjoy has always been difficult for his parents.
Three years ago they signed Matthew up to try Ten Pin Bowling at the Ashmore centre and it proved to be a defining moment.
“Bowling has not just become a real joy for Matthew it has also enabled him to play competitively against others dealing with similar health issues,” his dad Steve said.
“It recently saw him compete against more than 90 bowlers at the Queensland Special Olympics at Caboolture and he was really excited to win a bronze in the singles and a silver in the doubles.
“The medals are now in a special place at home and it has inspired him to take on more competitions.”
Matthew’s brother, Daniel, who also lives with a disability, wasn’t to be overshadowed by his sibling and entered the Australian Special Olympics Golf titles at Palm Meadows Golf Club on the Gold Coast last month.
He went one better winning a gold medal in his class against 15 competitors and also smashed a ball 190 metres to take the longest drive of the competition trophy.
