Sunshine Coast’s Braedan set for Commonwealth Games glory

Published On: 25 July 2022Categories: NDIS, News

Paralympian Braedan is reaching for Commonwealth Games gold in the pool as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant represents Australia in the 50m freestyle s13.

While it will be his first Commonwealth Games due to the classification being offered for the first time, Braedan has represented Australia in two Paralympics, the most recent in Tokyo where he had his best result in the men’s 400m freestyle s13 placing fourth.

The 24-year-old Sunshine Coast local began swimming at eight years old, starting as a nipper in Surf Life Saving; this was around the same time as he was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy.

Braeden – who is legally blind – trains nine times a week for up to five hours a day, focussing on the black lines in the pool.

“It has become automatic now that when I am in the pool I can sense the black line, the tee at the end of the black line, and know it is either a two-stroke touch or a one and a half stroke turn,” Braedan said.

“That’s what I am looking at when I am racing; I am not looking at anyone else just head down looking at the black line trying to get from point A to point B as fast as I can.”

Due to his early morning starts, Braedan accesses NDIS supports to get him to swim training.

“I have support workers I use in low-light times, like when I am going to training and can’t catch a bus that time of the morning,” he said.

“It allows me to access work, going out with friends and accessing training as well.”

The NDIS is also assisting Braedan to live independently with his partner.

“Cooking, cleaning, transport supports, getting into the community – the NDIS is giving me the support,” Braedan said.

“I have lights in the kitchen on the bench when cooking and not just relying on feel. Having the support of the NDIS allows me to not be as stubborn but to accept the help and it makes my life easier to live.”

Braedan began working for ABC radio as a producer this year, after completing a Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Sunshine Coast.

“Most of my swim training is in the morning so ABC put me on the afternoons as this is what I want to do when I retire from swimming,” he said.

“It’s been great being able to swim as an elite athlete and working in my dream job.”

As one of four brothers, Braedan’s younger brother – who has the same eye condition as Braedan – is also a competitive swimmer and more recently turned his athletic skills to running sprints on the track.

Both brothers received assistance to apply for and implement their NDIS funding from Carers Queensland’s NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community Program for the Sunshine Coast region.

“Having two people with vision impairment in one household has been difficult; the NDIS has been great to alleviate the pressures my parents have,” Braedan said.

“Having the NDIS support me to live more independently ensures my partner and my parents aren’t carers, they can just be parents or my girlfriend.”

Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for funding and to help you get started with the NDIS.

If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland can help you identify and link to options for support in your community.

You can also contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au

Keep an eye out for Braedan in the pool during the Commonwealth Games from 27 July or visit https://commonwealthgames.com.au/ to cheer on the Australian team.