A YEAR of personal growth has resulted in one Limestone Coast man to be recognised during International Day of People with Disability celebrations.
Adrian Lepley was announced as one of five Limestone Coast winners at this week’s awards ceremony, recognising their personal achievements, leadership and advocacy.
At just 21 years old, Mr Lepley began to lose mobility.
Starting out as loss of balance and a number of falls, he soon required a walking stick and a walking frame.
“The doctors did not have an answer for what was happening to me,” he said.
“I would see doctors and specialists and everyone I could and they would all say there was nothing they could diagnose.
“It was a really frustrating time not knowing what was happening to me and going from being normal to completely in the dark about what was happening to my body.”
Doctors were unable to provide Mr Lepley with a diagnosis, saying the young man’s rapid decline was an “medical anomaly” .
His continued deterioration ultimately left Mr Lepley confined to a wheelchair.
“There was a while that I just sat there frustrated with what was happening,” he said.
“I knew I had to try and change things for myself, so that is what I did.”
Unwilling to let his mobility issues define him, Mr Lepley focused on an extraordinary goal – to walk again before his mother’s 50th birthday in June this year.
“I did better than I expected, because when Mother’s day came around in May this year I was ready to walk,” he said.
“I just remember getting up and walking towards mum and seeing the look on her face.
“It was just tears.”
Mr Lepley’s mother Leanne said the moment was overwhelming.
“He had been in the chair and life had been really tough,” she said.
“To see him stand and do that and apply himself, I cannot even explain.
“I have done nothing but cheer him on because I want to see how far he can go and see all of the opportunities he has because he is back.”
Ms Lepley has been her son’s carer since his mobility issues started.
“You go from being a mum to being a carer,” she said.
“I think you tend to lose a part of yourself and that relationship with your child changes.
“Now I am back to just being Adrian’s mum – not his carer and that is so important to us.”
After taking his first steps six months ago, Mr Lepley continued physiotherapy and set a new goal – taking part in last weekend’s the Blue Lake Fun Run.
“I saw the ad on television and thought ‘I could do that’, so I went for it,” he said.
“I started off doing short walks which gradually got longer and longer until the event came around on Sunday.
“It was going to be the furthest I had walked since I got out of the wheelchair but I was determined.”
Mr Lepley and his mother started up at the back of the pack, taking part in the 3.2km course and after one hour and 12 minutes, they crossed the finish line.
“It was a great feeling to know I had done it,” he said.
“To go from a wheelchair to being in the fun run was a bit of a shock.
“We are already planning
to take part again next year and maybe do the 6.8km event.”
The major milestones were the catalyst to Mr Lepley being recognised for his achievements.
“I did not really think I was going to win or even be nominated for something like this,” he said.
“They are just my own personal milestones but I am proud that someone has noticed.
“I am very grateful to my friends and family that have supported me throughout the years – I could not have done any of it without them.”
For now, Mr Lepley has set his sights on playing a round of golf by the end of the year after being away from the course for almost a decade.
Other winners yesterday included Lily Coote, Cara Loftus-Surguy, Jayden Wake and Tessa Deak.
