Nothing is impossible...

On August 2 last year 11-year-old Oliver Mangion completed a two-km swim at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija's in 57 minutes, ten seconds.

On Friday, August 24, Oliver will be attempting what some might deem an impossible challenge. He will in fact be doing a three-km swim at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija. On this day, Oliver will show that with strong will, courage and above all, love, nothing is impossible. Of course any good, well-trained swimmer can do this, but what makes this a real challenge is the fact that Oliver has a disability.

Oliver will be 16 and a half by the time the opportunity to fulfil his dream comes - participating in the 2012 London Paralympics. Oliver, a regular user of Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija, was born with severe deformities on all four limbs and since birth has undergone countless reconstructive surgical procedures.

Three times a week, Oliver goes to the pool at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija to train hard under his present coach, Ebi Mohammad- pour. He has been training since the age of five after meeting Twanny Fenech, his first instructor, when he still hardly knew how to swim.

Over the years, coaches at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija spent a lot of time training Oliver, whose love for swimming developed and helped him get useful exercise.

"His disability is an extremely rare chromosome abnormality and we only know another boy living in Portugal with the same condition," his mother said.

This abnormality is so rare that Oliver's DNA was studied at Oxford for doctors to try and identify what genes develop arms and legs.

"Oliver gets in with life notwithstanding the spectacular surgery he's had since he was a baby. He uses his upper body for freestyle swimming, and has developed a good technique for his breast stroke, mostly because he has a strong upper body."

Asked why he is doing this, Oliver said that he wants to help Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija raise funds, which in turn also increases awareness of the services offered, and hopefully encourages all those with a disability to do sports.

Ir-Razzett believes and focuses on the ability of the person and not the disability.

Over 1,200 persons with a disability make use of Ir-Razzett's educational, therapeutic and leisure facilities, free of charge.

"At Ir-Razzett we believe that whatever the disability, each individual has the potential to lead a fulfilling and stimulating life. One of the ways we promote this is through sports activities, and Oliver's achievements are an excellent source of encouragement to all those who might be interested in trying out their skills in any particular sport discipline.

"There are ways and means of participating in various sports through adaptive techniques, and we are eager to meet individuals with an interest in sports activities to explore their potential in these techniques", said Lidwina Schembri Wismayer, physical disability programmes manager.

Anyone who would like to support Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija can SMS 5061-7359 to donate Lm1, 5061-8080 to donate Lm2, and 5061-8926 to donate Lm3. All donations are greatly appreciated because Ir-Razzett tal- Hbiberija depends on the generosity of the public.

Everyone is invited to witness Oliver's challenge (at 4.30 p.m.), which will take approximately an hour and 30 minutes.

For more information contact Keith Zerafa at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija on 2163-6526 or e-mail keithz@razzett.org.