Ben’s a champion with big dreams

Ben Carr is a sporting champion who never lets anything stand in his way.

The sporting career of the gold medal winning Special Olympian began when he was 12 and discovered swimming.

After retiring from international swimming with a swag of medals and world records under his belt, Ben turned his attention to golf, tenpin bowling and his latest interest, bocce. When he took up bocce he told his supportive family he was going to be “a bocce champ’’ and he’s recently achieved that dream at a national level.

But Ben admits swimming is still his favourite sport. “It’s the very best thing and I got to go to other countries, but I am retired now,’’ he says.

Ben is still bringing home medals with two silver medals from the Special Olympics Golf Masters held in Macau in April, and two gold and one silver in bocce and one silver in golf after February’s Special Olympics Queensland State Games. He also competed in tenpin bowling in the Sunshine Coast event.

The 33-year-old from the Redlands says he feels nervous when competing for his country but the experience leaves him feeling proud. When he wins a medal “my tears come out’’.

His other great loves are the AFL West Coast Eagles and Emma, his girlfriend of 20 years!

Ben doesn’t ask for special treatment only for people’s understanding that Down syndrome is just a part of who he is.

He supports himself working for Endeavour and has big dreams for his future. He is looking forward to the opportunities the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will bring him when it is rolled out in his region next year. Ben hopes the NDIS will help him realise his goal to live independently.

And Ben is aiming for more medals to add to his bulging trophy cabinet. “I really hope I make the Queensland team at the Special Olympics National Games in Adelaide next year,’’ Ben says.

To find out how we can support you to reach your potential just like Ben, read more about Anglicare’s disability services or call 1300 610 610.