Winning Hearts and Races
Nathan Donaldson, a 17-year-old from Bundaberg, was recently awarded a Variety Heart Scholarship for wheelchair racing.
Nathan was born with Cerebral Palsy that affects all four limbs.
He was unable to join in sports as a child, until he was introduced to Para Athletics wheelchair racing.
In his own words, Nathan found his ability in his disability. Para Athletics opened up a whole new world that allowed him to compete and mix with friends who don’t judge him for his condition.
Nathan competed in the 2017 Junior World Championships in Switzerland, bringing home a silver medal in 400m Silver and bronze medals in 100m and 200m events.
He recently won his school’s Excellence in Sports Award and Para Athlete of the Year Award.
Nathan has also been selected as a baton bearer in the Queen’s Baton Relay before the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Queensland.
Nathan’s goals are to compete in wheelchair racing at the World Championships in 2019 and then the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020.
Nathan’s school house coordinator describes him as:
a “positive and inspirational young man” who perseveres to be successful in all areas of his life.
“He is an inspiration to students, teachers and his sporting peers.”
Congratulations Nathan!