Maximilian Pazderski

State Championships - Max's efforts :-)

We had a full day of racing yesterday at the SO State Swimming Championships.  Max competed in 5 races - 2 of which were relays which he'd never done before.  Despite the novelty, he and his teams won 1st and third places.  He also scored a personal best and came third in breast stroke. As he gets faster, they're pushing him up in divisions which is great for his growth and more competitive - he scored 4th places in freestyle and backstroke. However Max prefers coming first ;-) so now he's determined to get higher placements in those faster divisions, so were building a program of outdoor gym 3 days a week plus an extra 2 swimming training sessions each week.  He's going to be one fit guy by the end of the year!!
Thanks HEAPS for all you generous support and lovely good wishes

Meet my son Max. He's earned a spot at the National Special Olympic Games — and he's jumping into a frozen pool to prove he wants it. I’m freezin’ for a reason!

Max is 32, autistic, and one of the most competitive people I know. This October, he'll represent our inner west team at the National Special Olympics Games — an honour he earned himself, through dedicated and relentless training and a fierce, deeply personal need to win. He always shows up and has been recognised as Athlete of the Year within Special Olympics. His collection of medals and ribbons is, let's just say, impressive. If you've ever seen the look on his face when he takes first place, you already want to donate.

Every day, Max asks whether his muscles have grown any bigger. He has located every outdoor gym within 10km of home and treats them as a personal circuit. At this point, we're fairly sure he could bench press the pool.

Competing in Freestyle, Backstroke, and Breaststroke, these will be his first national games. To use the words from his favourite Lego movie, “This is awesome!”

To get him there, we need to raise $5,000. So Max is earning it the hard way - jumping into a freezing cold pool in the middle of winter as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run's Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Australia. A guy who never gives less than 100% doing something genuinely painful, purely for the chance to compete.

Your donation supports Max’s ability to participate within Special Olympics Australia's year-round sports programs for people with intellectual disability and autism - funding coaching, competition, community, and the kind of belonging that honestly changes lives.

We’re appreciative of every dollar - no matter the size – because it makes a real difference. Please donate what you can, and share if you can't.

Max will be checking his muscles straight after the plunge. He'll want to know the total too.

We're freezin' for a reason. His name is Max. And he's going to Nationals. 🏅