Hello,

My name is Oliver Henry Mangion and I was born on 9 October 1995, which makes me 11 years old at the moment. I was born a disabled boy because my arms and legs did not develop properly and unfortunately I have difficulty walking and writing. But that has not stopped me from getting on with my life and thanks to so many people at hospital and mum and dad, I have been able to do things I never thought of doing such as swimming.

Swimming has always been my favourite activity because I love swimming and it keeps me fit. Actually I am faster at swimming than I am at walking and it makes me feel equal to everyone who is in the water. I have just completed a three-kilometre swim to raise money for other people who have difficulties at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija. I managed to do it in one hour 16.54 minutes, which was a personal record as I beat my own time from last year’s marathon by four minutes.

I started swimming at Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija when I was five years old and my first teacher and trainer was Twanny Fenech. I started to enjoy swimming very much and now I am trained by Ebi Pour. He pushes me really hard for me to get better at it. I think I am best at long distance swimming so I decided to do some marathons for fund-raising. Ir-Razzett is a wonderful place where anyone with a disability can use the facilities for free, but they always need money and I thought if everyone can do their bit it would all add up! I hope to be able to do some more, going further each time and in a couple of years, I will do the Gozo-to-Malta swim (although my mum worries about this!) My biggest dream, however, is to go to the 2012 Paralympics in London; I will be 16 years old, but have to work really hard before then!

Swimming is a great sport for people with a disability and I would always encourage people to take it up; it makes you feel good and keeps you fit and strong – even with a disability you can be really good! I believe that you can do anything with your life, and you must have big dreams and believe that it is possible for them to come true. I am glad to have done this swim as I have helped the Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija and the people who use it. It’s also a way I can say “thank you” to all the people who have helped me be the boy I am today.

Oliver

Editor’s Note

First of all on behalf of the junior readers of Crackers, I would like to congratulate Oliver on his achievements and besides wishing him all the success in the future, I hope that he will be an inspiration to all those who lack courage. Oliver shows us all that “nothing is impossible in

life if you believe in yourself”.

Well done!