If there’s one thing you need to know about Sam Lea, it’s that he loves giving things a go.
It doesn’t matter what category it fits into; sport, music, art, dancing, drumming, museums, libraries; if there’s something new to try, Sam is ready to give it a crack. And if it doesn’t work out? He’ll be ready to move on to the next adventure.
“Just do it,” Sam says when asked what advice he’d give another disabled person wanting to get into sport. “Don’t let not knowing how to do it stop you; give it a go.”
It’s a philosophy that sums Sam up perfectly.
A life full of things he loves
Sam spent much of his school years in hospital in Auckland, staying at Ronald McDonald House, an experience he remembers fondly.
His intermediate years and time at Flaxmere College were another highlight, where he met many of his best friends.
These days, Sam spends his weekdays at Disability Resource Centre (DRC) in Hastings, where he is living his best life while keeping busy with numeracy and literacy, ten-pin bowling and, most importantly, plenty of time with his friends.
Outside of DRC, his interests seem almost endless.
There’s taekwondo, singing and dancing, drums with Sebastien, guitar lessons with Ross and, most recently, learning trumpet and trombone. He creates art every week with Natacha, enjoys walks, scooter rides, libraries and museums, and is always keen to try something new.
And then there’s sport.
Lots and lots AND LOTS of sport.
Through Disability Sport and Recreation Hawke’s Bay (DSRHB), Sam has tried almost everything: football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, waka ama, badminton, archery, squash, swimming, powerlifting, boccia, rugby, disc golf, softball, surfing and table tennis. Wow! Just reading that list is tiring, but Sam’s energy is seemingly endless.
Sam says, “I like trying new sports, seeing if it fits me, and being with my friends and making new ones.”
Finding confidence through sport
Sam has always loved sport, but it wasn’t until after leaving school, when he started taekwondo, that sport really became a major part of his life. Discovering DSRHB opened the door to even more opportunities.
The impact of this has gone well beyond what happens on a court, field or in a pool.
“Sport has helped me be more confident and to keep going no matter what.”
That determination has already brought about some special moments.
Sam won gold at the Special Olympics Summer Games and has collected gold, silver and bronze medals in taekwondo. He’s also experienced the satisfaction of sticking with a new sport until it just clicks, with squash and archery being two examples.
“After trying a new sport and trying, trying, trying, it all falls into place and I can do it.”
His mum, Tina, knows exactly what he means.
She says watching Sam try something new and then suddenly seeing it all come together is “so mind blowingly cool.”
“He never ceases to amaze me with his accomplishments,” Tina says.
“To me I’m just me”
Sam was born with Apert Syndrome, but Tina says disability was never something their family focused on.
With two older brothers who treated him just like they treated each other, Sam grew up knowing his abilities and limitations without allowing either to define him.
Sam says, “To me I’m just me. Yes, I look different in the mirror to you, but I’m the same as you. I’m awesome.”
That confidence is something Tina has seen grow over the years.
Since leaving school, Sam has become more independent and increasingly confident about communicating what he likes and what he wants to do.
She’s particularly proud of his creativity and his music. One of her proudest moments was watching Sam pass his Trinity College London Level One Drums with Distinction and then get up on stage and give it everything.
Mum, taxi driver, cheerleader and advocate
Tina is an integral part of Sam’s busy life.
She describes herself as “Sam’s mum first and foremost”, but also his taxi driver, sideline cheerleader and occasional helper at his sporting activities.
Her commitment to Sam is undeniable. Most importantly, Tina follows Sam’s lead.
“I never lead him, it’s his choice to do what he does,” she says. “I’ll advocate for him on whatever he chooses to do in life.”
Sport has also given Tina opportunities to be involved alongside Sam, something she says has brought them even closer.
When Sam succeeds, the celebrations extend well beyond the two of them. His brothers are the first to hear when he wins a medal or earns a certificate, followed by his aunties, friends and everyone else who knows and loves him.
There’s always another challenge
Sam is the first to admit he isn’t perfect at sport.
“My feet still seem to stay in one spot,” he jokes.
Tina agrees that when Sam gets onto a field or court, his feet can sometimes appear to “grow roots.”
But that has never stopped him from keeping on trying.
Whether it’s communicating with someone new, learning a new skill or trying to nail a lift at powerlifting, Sam keeps going. If you ask him whether anything is a challenge, his answer is simple:
“Nothing.”
That attitude is one of the things that makes Sam such a wonderful part of the DSRHB community.
He doesn’t need to be the best at something to enjoy it. He just wants to be involved, have a go, spend time with his friends and see what happens.
A future full of possibilities
Sam’s journey is still young, and he has plenty of plans.
He wants to keep doing the things he loves, pursue music and, one day, be in a band. He’d also love to see his artwork in a shop.
And, of course, there will be plenty more sport along the way.
For Tina, seeing Sam become more confident, participate, succeed and help others has been incredible.
That belief is at the heart of Sam’s story.
He’s tried almost every sport DSRHB has put in front of him. Some have stuck, some haven’t. Some have taken time. Some have ended with medals. And some have simply ended with a good laugh and a new experience.
But Sam keeps showing up.
He keeps trying.
And he keeps finding new things he loves.
His philosophy for the future is the perfect way to sum it all up:
“Can I do it? Yes I can; just like Bob the Builder.”