Overcoming disability: from victim to gold medallist

Justin Spiteri has had to put up with many forms of discrimination because of his autism. However, he strives to lead an adventurous and exciting life while pushing for the equal treatment of others in his position.

Justin, who is 25, was subjected to verbal and physical abuse as a result of his disability while attending school. “I felt like, as Pink Floyd put it, a brick in the wall. This was a serious problem,” he explained.

“I lost friends during this time. People without disability do not know how to treat us. We’re supposed to be treated equally, but we are the last people others pay attention to. We are treated like second class citizens,” he said.

Justin spoke of abuse at work, and how he faced anger by colleagues who believe he got the job purely on the basis of disability, rather than on his own merits.

“What really annoys me is when people say that people with disabilities get jobs because of their condition, and not on their own merit. Some people also shout at us rather than talk to us; they treat us like babies.”

Picking himself up, Justin delved into sports and began to realise his true potential.

While attending school at Savio College, he took up swimming with the help of an English priest. Following five years of training, Justin participated in the Special Olympics. He has won a total of three gold medals in international sporting events, two in swimming and one in Bocce (singles).

“You need to mentally prepare yourself when tackling such a challenge”, he warned. “I used to watch the film Invictus in order to psyche myself up. Swimming, for me, was the first spark which helped me believe in myself and strive to achieve further goals.”

Justin is a man who enjoys meeting new challenges head on. Although winning three gold medals in international sporting events is a tough act to follow, he aimed to top this achievement.

“I’m the first person in Maltese history to successfully swim the Gozo channel six times,” he boasted happily. Such a feat required hard work, but Justin was more than up to the challenge. “I feel at home in the water. I want to show everyone how anyone can accomplish whatever they put their mind to.”

From sports to the stage

“Creativity is extremely important for people like me. Acting and sports were crucial parts in my social growth,” he said. “In our last performance, Tifel, is-sahhara u il-principessa, I played the part of the father. This was, in fact, my first ever stage performance. I was very excited, and even got to sing.”

Opening Doors, a drama company aimed at giving people with a disability a place to express themselves creatively, was established six years ago and so far have given five performances. The company operates within St James Cavalier, Valletta, where it also holds its performances.

An Opening Doors representative, also present during the interview, spoke about a forum the drama company held for parents of children with disabilities, drama therapists, psychiatrists and the group themselves. “We were quite surprised at the reaction of parents. Some would say that they do not want their son involved with that person, or argue over why their child wasn’t cho- sen for a part.”

Anna Formosa, Justin’s friend, helps with some of the plays organised by Opening Doors. “Justin’s acting has improved enormously. He has the potential to continue developing his talent,” she said.

The drama company receives a lot of support from other acting troops in Malta. Representatives from other groups come to see performances. Justin only began acting this year, he said.

There is an ever growing problem in Malta regarding lack of interest in sports and drama, Justin alleged, calling for more promotion of sports and cultural activities on a national level. “The amount of people interested in taking up sports or drama is very low and attendance to cultural events is quite low”.

Justin is currently taking a course in health studies. “I made three amazing friends through my studies this year who have really helped me grow as a person. They gave me a lot of support and included me in their group. This year has been made special thanks to them.”

He forms part of the Autism Parents Association and Flimkiennazlu (a community group for people with disabilities). In fact, he wants to go on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain and reach Santiago de Compostela in order to raise money for these groups. The walk would take roughly a month and a half, he said, and he is currently consulting with friends and mentors Mario Scerri and Kim Agius to see how to best tackle this expedition.

Justin Spiteri