INSPIRING his schoolmates is Crestwood Public School captain Jack Starkey who lives his life to the full despite having cerebral palsy.
Not one to allow his disability to get in the way of achieving his dreams, Jack is determined to have as normal a life as everyone else.
For The Spastic Centre’s National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, Jack, 11, of Baulkham Hills, has taken the opportunity to educate people about his disability.
“Because a lot of people with cerebral palsy having a problem with their legs, some people mistake us for someone who has had a bad accident,” he said.
“I think it would be helpful to let people know that we haven’t been in an accident and that this is a disability.
“However in saying that I don’t want people to treat me differently and assume I am unable to do things as I can play soccer and cricket like everyone else.”
In fact Jack would love to become a sports journalist one day and is an active competitor at school athletics, cross country and swimming carnivals, and enjoys representing his school in competitive rugby league and cricket.
As school captain he also has plans to organise a fundraiser for the Spastic Centre.
The Spastic Centre marketing and communications manager Janine Jones said Jack’s spirit, enthusiasm and leadership skills were helping to breakdown stereotypical views about people with a disability.
“The Spastic Centre has grown from a small, parent-based organisation formed in 1945, to a large service provider supporting some 4000 clients and families from more than 70 sites throughout city and regional NSW,” she said.
“Ongoing community support is vital to ensure we can continue providing the essential services needed to help people like Jack participate fully in their communities.”
Source: whereilive
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