Physical disabilities and conditions can affect an athlete’s mobility or their physical capacity in different ways.
Pronounced uh·kwai·uhd brayn in·juh·ree
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is any damage to the brain that happens after birth.
ABI can be caused by a brain tumour, stroke, trauma, infection or lack of oxygen.
An ABI might affect the athlete’s movement, learning, communication and emotions. For more information
Pronounced spai·nuh bi·fuh·duh
Spina Bifida happens when part of the spinal cord and spine develop differently in the womb.
Spina bifida might affect the athlete’s movement, learning and communication. For more information
Pronounced spai·nuhl kawd in·juh·ree
A spinal cord injury happens when part or all of the spinal cord is damaged.
Spinal cord injuries might affect the athlete’s strength, sensation and body function below the level of the injury. For more information
Pronounced sin·drowm
A syndrome is a set of signs and symptoms which group people together under a diagnosis.
Every syndrome is different and often rare as children with the diagnosis are sometimes one of only a few people in Australia.
Some syndromes are – Angelman syndrome, Cri du chat syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Noonan syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, Prada-Willi syndrome, Williams syndrome.
A syndrome might affect the athlete’s movement, learning, communication and sensory systems (hearing, vision). For more information
Pronounced strowk
A stroke occurs when there is a lack of blood to the brain or bleeding into the brain.
A stroke might affect the athletes’ movement, learning, communication and sensory systems (hearing, vision). For more information
Pronounced fai·bruh·mai·al·juh
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the body.
Evidence has shown that regular exercise improves symptoms of fibromyalgia such as pain, fatigue and quality of sleep.
Fibromyalgia might affect the athlete’s movement and sensory (sensation, pain) systems.
Better Health - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Brain Injury Australia - https://www.braininjuryaustralia.org.au/
Fibromyalgia Australia - https://fibromyalgiaaustralia.org.au/
Mayo Clinic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/
Raising Children Network - https://raisingchildren.net.au/disability
Stroke Foundation Australia - https://strokefoundation.org.au/
Coles Little Athletics Australia acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we work, run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and to honor their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country and recognize the role and value of culture.