JAMISON LEESON CHASES BOCCIA DREAM
JAMISON Leeson was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in her infancy but it has never stopped the now 15-yearold getting the most out of life.
The sports-loving student from Dunedoo High School has now seen her expansive interests in all things sport, translated into an Australian guernsey in the sport of boccia. More on that later.
For all of her life, her mum Amanda has been the principal carer.
“Jami was a floppy baby, she never reached her milestones, never crawled, couldn’t pull herself up into a sitting position and has never walked,” Amanda explained.
“She received her first wheelchair – motorised – when she was four. That was incredibly exciting and opened up a whole new world for her.
“We’ve always tried to do whatever Jam would like to do, despite the obvious restrictions, and so at age five I pushed her around the netball courts like the other girls her age. She participated in school cross-country events, telling her captain to run fast so they could win. She has always been very competitive,” Amanda laughed.
Jami loves to paint as well and won first prize at the Dunedoo Art Unlimited junior section last year and she was the first to lead cattle in a wheelchair at championships in Baradine last year.
So what is boccia? Jami explains:
“It’s like bowls specially created for people with mobility issues. It is played with leather balls which are not like lawn bowls as they don’t have a bias.
“It’s played indoors on whatever surface is available – some games are on basketball courts, some on vinyl floors, some on lawn bowls carpets. Basically, whatever is available, although the championships are mostly held on synthetic courts,” Jami added.
Some people are able to throw the ball but Jami has to use a
ramp, similar to the ones used in ten pin bowling but without the buffers on the lane.
“I sit in my chair looking down the court. The aim is to get your ball as close to the jack as possible. To do this I have to use a ramp aide. That person faces the other way and it is my job to instruct them to move it up or down and change the angle to give me the best chance.”
Jami has been selected to represent Australia at upcoming events in Hong Kong and Korea. Originally it was expected she may go to China but after trials in Sydney Jami was picked for the Pacific Games in Korea in July, then last weekend she was invited to play in the green and gold in an upcoming tournament in Hong Kong.
“It’s just been an amazing journey. Jam was scouted at a schools’ event in Orange last year. She had never played before but was asked to go to Sydney, to try out for representative honours. She was identified as a special talent and had to play off against another girl with the winner to represent her country. Jami was incredible and beat her opponent who had been playing boccia for years,” Amanda said proudly.
Jami is stoked!
“It’s remarkable that I only found this sport last year and now I’m going to play for Australia!”
Jami will be playing pairs alongside a male who is ranked No.2 in the world in singles. Australia is actually ranked No.1 in international boccia.
Jamison Leeson is a remarkable young woman who is competing in life where the degrees of difficulty are more difficult than for most of us. Her ability to meet, greet and defeat the daily challenges have been fostered by her mum and loving family, her brother and sister and extended family and the schools and community at Dunedoo.
Both Amanda and Jami acknowledge the collective efforts of their hometown, friends and the Men of League Foundation (MOL)
“Jam grew up with rugby league – her brother plays – and MOL have helped us in so many ways over the past few years. People like Martin Cook, Ross Tighe, Ronny Gibbs, Matt Ruan, John Sullivan and others have been wonderful. Without the specially modified van they bought us we wouldn’t have been able to get these opportunities. We are so grateful!”
Both are regular attendees at MOL functions in Dubbo and Dunedoo, determined to never forget and to give back. They sell tickets and spread a special joy to locals and NRL and former league stars who attend events.
With the next Paralympics scheduled for Tokyo in 2020, I asked Jami if her five-year-old self would have ever dreamed of representing her country.
“No way! It’s crazy to think it’s happening. Not even a year ago could I have dreamed of this happening for me! It’s the first time since 2000 Australia will be competing in boccia and it’s crazy to think I could be going to Japan,” she marvelled.
For mum Amanda, it is a sweet development. For all her life Jami has been totally dependent on her to get around. Amanda has had to lift her up and place
her in car, carry her chair, take her to school and on excursions. And it has taken its toll. In the last 12 months she has had surgery to remove cysts that had developed on her spine.
“Doctors told me it was from bending and carrying Jam. It was okay when she was a baby but, of course, she has grown and the extra load has taken its toll.”
She returns to the Men of league and their support.
“MOL buying the car has certainly made things easier. It’s been a life-changer for us. Having the vehicle allowed me to have the operations and made it so much easier for Jam to get around to her friends’ places and be more interactive,” Amanda said with a quiver in her voice.
The Leeson’s spend four to five days every fortnight travelling back and forth to Sydney where Jami is being treated with an SMA wonder drug.
It costs $100,000 per injection but is fully subsidised by the government for all with SMA under 18.
“The drug slows down degeneration in my body, and in America there have been cases where sufferers have gained strength (when) it was not previously thought possible, so I am hoping it will have the same effect on me,” Jami smiled.
While the drug may slow down the degeneration, nothing slows down Jamison Leeson, an amazing person with an incredible mum and inspirational zest for life.