Maleny girl swims up a storm in Melbourne

Seanna swims on national stage

By Jennifer Kent

For the second year running, Seanna Thompson attended the 2019 Australian School Sport Swimming Championships, held this year at the Melbourne Aquatic Centre from 31 July–2 August. Seanna, 11, took home a gold, silver and bronze, as well smashing her own PBs in a number of events.

Seanna, who has autism, an acquired brain injury and congenital scoliosis, competed in seven events at the national swimming championships as a multi-class swimmer and is proof that a person’s ability is not determined by their disability.

Going into the championships, Seanna was expecting to compete in four individual events and two relays, but a last-minute call up by the Northern Territory swim team, who were short a swimmer for their relay, saw Seanna help them take out the gold!

Mum, Christine Peters, was there to cheer her on, saying that while she came away with several medals on the day, the real achievement was seeing her represent multi-class swimmers.

“It is a huge experience for Seanna, both physically and mentally,” Christine said.

“Having a team of supporters has been so valuable in helping her get to this stage.”

Christine said that while Seanna was the recipient of the medals, there was a huge team behind her every step of the way, including her swim coach, Di Feldman, who she said was an “absolute Godsend”.

Seanna’s introduction to swimming was one of necessity and while Christine, a swim teacher herself, advocates for every child to learn to swim, Seanna ultimately swims to keep her body mobile. Competing gives her a reason to swim and everything else is just a bonus.

They say it takes a village to raise a child and Christine says there are so many people to thank from medical staff, pool staff, coaching staff, the school and the community - it takes someone special to take on someone with complex needs and get the best out of them.

Christine actively encourages parents to talk to their schools and organisations about what supports are available to ensure their kids are given the same opportunities as others.

“Every child should have the opportunity to participate,” she said.

“There are supports out there to make sure the parents and children with a disability can have these opportunities too”.

And what they can do is amazing!