Maree Jenner has long been a community advocate for people with disability on the Central Coast and now she is taking on a new challenge – leading the Aussie cheer squad at the World Dwarf Games in Germany from July 8-August 5.
Australia has been competing in the World Dwarf Games since they began in 1993 in Chicago.
The Games are the largest international sporting event held exclusively for short-statured athletes.
They are held every four years – the Cologne tournament will be the eighth World Dwarf Games.
Around 40 Aussie athletes will compete in this year’s Games – the biggest contingent Australia has ever sent.
“I’m going there as a volunteer support person, part of the Short Statured People of Australia,” Jenner said.
“I’m providing administration and coordination support, but I have another important role – cheering for Australia from the stands.
“I wanted to go and be there when they win.”
Jenner is employed as a Local Area Coordinator by the not-for-profit organisation, Social Futures – an NDIS partner in the community.
In this role, she delivers the Different on the Outside Same on the Inside program to Central Coast Schools.
Jenner is a person of short stature, commonly referred to as dwarfism.
“The Different on the Outside, Same on the Inside program aims to remove social barriers and encourage inclusion for people with disability,” she said.
“It helps educate children and teachers around how they can be more accepting and inclusive of all people.”
Jenner said she supports the World Dwarf Games because it gives short-statured people the chance to enjoy competing in sports equally.
There are team and individual sports: athletics and swimming and team sports like basketball, soccer, badminton and boccia.
Child athletes as young as 10 will also compete against athletes of a similar age.
“People with dwarfism are unable to compete equally against average sized people; we will always come last,” Jenner said.
“We love playing sport and participating, especially as Australia is so focused on sport and achieving, and young short-statured people want to feel that they belong and can be part of sport, but they need to compete on a level-playing field.
“There is a lot of pride in going to these games and being able to compete and represent Australia.
“We will compete against teams from America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
“Remember we are so rare; my condition affects only one in around every 25,000 births; some short-statured conditions are one in a million.
“It is important to be able to compete against people with the same abilities – that is competition!”
Jenner said she was also excited that Australia had been chosen to host the World Dwarf Games in 2027.
You can learn more about the World Dwarf Games on the official website.
Central Coast schools interested in participating in the Different on the Outside, Same on the Inside Program should contact Social Futures on 1800 522 679, or email lac@socialfutures.org.au
Source:
Social Futures