“That was the best day of my life,” 17 year old Alex Ma will often announce to his mother as they leave the state of the art Ian Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre (ITAFC) on most afternoons, and he means it. Alex is a successful and active young man on the cusp of becoming a qualified personal trainer, but his enormous gains have been hard won. Until the age of 6, Alex could barely talk, and at 12, was still confined to a wheelchair. Born with severe cerebral palsy, he has undergone 2 hours of therapy, 7 days a week since the tender age of 5, rendering his transformation over the past few years nothing short of a landmark recovery from a condition that affects the outer layer of the brain (called the cerebral cortex) which directs muscle movement, leading to the loss or impairment of motor function.
“With this disability he’s not meant to be this active,” said Alex’s mother Louise Ma. “The doctors said that what can’t be done by the age of 5 can never be done.” Yet just four years ago, Alex began a transformative journey, undergoing intense rehabilitation at the ITAFC which built up his muscles and allowed him to walk again. Each week he enjoys four gym sessions, three aerobic water lessons and one private swimming class, and also trains with Donny Singe of the Manly Sea Eagles.
“I get so motivated from this,” described Alex. “I could be still in the wheelchair. I have the opportunity. When I return from China next year I’ll do the certificate four (in fitness). I love the work, I have some good friends there down at the centre and down at the gym. I enjoy it every day, seeing people train hard with physical disabilities or not.”
As one of four children, Alex lives in both the south of China and Sydney’s Pyrmont. “They’re both home for me,” said Alex. “I can’t pick.” However, Louise believes that Australia offers the best opportunities for Alex to succeed and establish his life. “In China, you’re more likely to see disabled people begging,” said Louise. “People who have a disabled child do not integrate them into mainstream society.”
But Alex insists that he is not just his physical condition and also emphasises the benefit of aquatic and aerobic activity for those who are depressed or overweight. “I want to see others happy,” he said. “Don’t take notice of what other people say. I want more to come to the gym, because it is really good fun. I can’t wait to train. I find myself getting stronger and stronger every day.”
