COMMUNITY Together we run

The new mural on the corner of Darling Street and Victoria Road, captures local hero Arran Keith in a special moment with his supporters, doing one of his favourite activities – running. Darling spoke to Arran and his family about how having a disability has not prevented him from achieving anything. One of Arran’s first words was “I do it” and living in this great community of Rozelle, Arran is definitely doing it!

The photo which inspired the mural, is Arran doing one of his favourite activities - running the bay run with a group of friends. Arran says, “Able-bodied or with a disability we run together, as one group, not two.”

“I am very lucky to live in a great and supportive community that accepts me for who I am, and I cannot thank the Rozelle community and Running Science enough for all they have done. Since my SEML double leg surgery in September 2022, I have been supported by my family, my local community, my high school and my best friends to get back to walking again, being independent and frame running with mates which I love”, says Arran.

When Running Science moved to its new location, Fletcher the owner thought a mural representing our community with Arran at the centre would be perfect for the prominent corner. The mural was delivered as part of Inner West Council’s Perfect Match program and iconic street artist Scott Marsh was engaged to bring the mural to life. The landlord, Harrold from ICC Development Group was also in full support, making sure this materialised. Like a lot of successful initiatives, it was a team effort!

At 3 months old, Arran was diagnosed with CP, the type called mixed spastic dystonic quadriplegia. Since then, Arran’s family has made sure that he was able to be included in everything that he wanted to do.

Arran is competitive and loves sport. He has done swimming, soccer, athletics, NRL, cycling, climbing, running, and even the odd triathlon. He ran the 3km Balmain Fun Run in his walker frame at age 8 and was cheered to the finish line. This is where Arran met Fletcher and the team from Running Science and iMove Physiotherapy. That run changed Arran’s life and people’s perception of him and he of himself, through the local running community. At age 9, Arran was the first person to represent Australia internationally in race-running in the World Para-Athletics in Denmark. He came away with three world records!

The youngest of two kids, Arran has a fantastic big sister Roxy who is always around to keep him in check. Arran is now 14 years old and in year 8 at the fully accessible Inner Sydney High School, commuting via the light rail from Lilyfield to central station and then onto school independently.

Richard, Arran’s Dad said “It takes a village to raise a child, that is true of any kid and most important when one is born with a disability such as CP. As a family, we have endeavoured to actively engage Arran in all aspects of Rozelle community life. From going to St Thomas Day Care, then Rozelle Public School to enjoying gozleme at the Orange Grove Markets every Saturday. From the start, we have been very open, honest, and transparent. We are always prepared to explain what CP is to anyone who asks, sometimes even if they don’t! Importantly we have sought for people to talk with Arran directly.”

“Rozelle has engaged Arran as a person, not as his disability. With openness, a willingness to listen, to ask respectful and curious questions, to challenge commonly held assumptions about the capabilities of a person successfully living with a physical disability.”

“To know Arran as a friend, a school mate, and not as ‘that disabled kid in a walker’ is key to his growth as a young person.”

Sunday 16 July, 12pm

All welcome