Jami leading the way on remarkable journey
JAMIESON LEESON and her mum Amanda have inspired us over the years as they have met and overcome many obstacles. Last weekend she ticked off another dream – she judged and led Triple Three “Lady Luck” at the National Limousin Junior Show at Coonabarabran!
It was an emotional day for everyone.
Jami lives with spinal muscular atrophy and has never walked or crawled. She is mobile in an electric wheelchair – “with new big wheels” – but has increasingly limited use of her arms and hands.
“My muscles grow weaker as I get older because the condition is degenerative and there is no cure,” but Mum and my brother and sister and I have been able to cope because of the incredible support from our extended family,” the always positive 15-year-old smiled.
“Martin Cook, Ben Ross and the Men of League and my favourite player of alltime, Brenton Lawrence from Manly Sea Eagles, have been so good to us.
“They worked with our Dunedoo community and the people of the west to raise funds for Mum to get a special vehicle to transport us.
“It had been so hard for the first 12 or 13 years when she had to lift me in and out of everywhere, but now we have the van and the motorised chair, there’s no stopping me!”
That’s for sure! Jami and her mum travelled to Coonabarabran for one of the most prestigious events on the Junior Cattle Judging Circuit over the weekend.
“She came 4th in the final of the Intermediate division of Junior Cattle Judging on the Friday. On Saturday, she led her heifer in the cattle classes, then on Sunday, July 8, she participated in the Intermediate Paraders class,” Amanda told me.
“Although she didn’t place, the smile on her face was priceless!
“Jami’s ten-month-old heifer named Triple Three ‘Lady Luck’ was owned and broken in specifically for her by Hamish Mclachlan and his brother Josh. The process took around two to three months of very patient love and care.
“The boys started by using Jamieson’s old manual wheelchair to get Lady used to having the chair, instead of a person, beside her. They gradually introduced the heifer to a quad bike so Lady Luck got use to the motor,” Amanda explained.
“We gave Lady Luck a practice run using Jami’s old powered wheelchair on Thursday afternoon before letting Jami practice with her on Friday so she was able to compete on Saturday and Sunday.” Inspirational Jamieson Leeson competed at the National Limousin Junior Show at Coonabarabran. PHOTO: COURTESY OF EMILY H PHOTOGRAPHY, WWW. EMILYHPHOTO.COM
Amanda was full of praise for the Mclachlan boys from Triple Three Limousin Stud.
“A huge thanks go to Hamish and Josh, the National Junior Limousin Association and Alisha Harrington for making this all possible for Jamieson. The Mclachlan boys deserve a
medal for all their effort, training and patience.
“And a big shout out to all Jam’s teammates, fellow competitors and all the people who encouraged and supported Jamieson over the three days,” she added.
“Jam has been beaming ever since!
“As this was one of Jam’s dreams, we just hope it might inspire other people with disabilities to try something that they may have thought may be impossible for them to do.
Lady Luck played her part for Jami but there was nothing lucky about this young woman’s efforts. She is truly inspirational and we follow her journey with tears in our eyes and a glow in our hearts.
Having said that, I still can’t go so far as to share her love for a certain northern beaches football team!