Variety Queensland proudly cheered on six past and present Variety Heart Scholarship recipients as they represented Australia at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Among these remarkable athletes was Brayden Foxley-Conolly, a 3.5-point player in wheelchair rugby.
As a key member of the Australian team, Brayden helped clinch a 53–48 victory over Canada to secure the championship title.
Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that affects hair growth on the scalp and entire body which results in minor or complete hair loss with slim chances of regrowth, for which there is no cure. For children especially, it is easy to imagine the detrimental psychological effects losing hair can have on self-esteem and confidence.
When Erin was just five years old, her mother, Maria noticed her daughter losing patches of hair. What followed was the eventual devastating diagnosis of alopecia and within just six months Erin was completely bald.
“Her hair began falling out in small clumps and initially the patches were no bigger than a five cent coin, but within months it worsened and we were told she had alopecia,” said Maria.
We caught up with Brayden, now 20 years old – and we’re honoured to share his inspiring story with you:
Brayden opens up about the challenges of growing up with a disability: the loneliness, the isolation, and the feeling of being left on the sidelines – until a moment that changed everything.
“I was sort of sitting on the sidelines, just watching from afar – but once I got into the chair I never looked back. It was the best moment of my life.”
That spark ignited a journey of passion, resilience, and athletic excellence.
Thanks to your support, Variety Queensland has been proud to stand behind Brayden throughout his journey. His achievements in wheelchair rugby reflect not just his incredible dedication, but also the power of community backing. As the sport continues to grow in visibility and impact, athletes like Brayden are leading the way – proving that with the right support, anything is possible.
Every Child Deserves to Thrive
Change Takes All Of Us
Every child deserves the chance to explore, grow, and dream without limits. Their potential shouldn’t be defined by disability, illness, or financial hardship. We work to remove those barriers and open the doors to new possibilities.
