PHOTO: Tammy Albert and Tim O’Connor at the 15th World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) event in Brisbane.
Tim O’Connor went with his support worker Tammy Albert to the 15th World Down Syndrome Congress (WDSC) in Brisbane from 9 to 12 July at the Convention Centre.
The congress takes place every three years. In 2021, it was held in Dubai.
“There were 1,000 delegates from 45 countries,” Tammy said.
Delegates came from all over the world including Brazil, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
“It’s our first time at the congress. We didn’t even know there was one.”
This year was the first time the Down Syndrome Congress was held in Australia.
“It was really good to see all these people with Down Syndrome from the ages of one to 70.”
Tim has reached a formidable age for a person with Down Syndrome at almost 50 years old.
He has been working at Castlereagh Industries since he was 19 as a rag cutter.
“He has thrived. He’s capable of so much. It’s very impressive,” said Tammy.
Paula O’Connor, Tim’s mother advocated for Tim his entire life as part of the Australian Down Syndrome Society.
People with Down Syndrome can get a job in a number of professions with the help of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) workers who support them along the way.
In 1992, Tim won the gold medal in the relay at the Darwin Pan Pacific games, set a new Australian record and also won a silver medal in the individual division.
He also won a gold medal in the 25 metre free style in the Special Olympics in Tamworth in 1990, as well as, a silver in the 50 metre freestyle, and bronze in the open relay.
He has also enjoyed sports such as cricket, karate, motocross, table tennis, pool, basketball, wakeboarding, and much more.
“He’s played to win. He’s very competitive. Anything he has ever won was thanks to his own merit,” Tammy said.
“When you sit down and look at what he has achieved in his life it’s actually quite impressive.”
Topics included, social inclusion advocacy, personal development, and nurturing self-expression.
Tammy said some of the activities targeted younger people with Down Syndrome but Tim still had a blast meeting people from all over the world.
A girl from New Zealand named Claire came over to Tammy and Tim and started reading questions she had written on the back of a paddle pop stick.
In the end, Claire and Tim ended up having an hour-long conversation about their lives.
One of the seminars was only for Down Syndrome people without their support workers.
“There were a fair few people outside waiting to see if they would cope but I knew Tim would be fine.”
They also had a chance to walk through the Brisbane Gardens.
“We got a bit lost, so we just kept walking. We probably did 14,000 steps that day,” said Tammy.
The WDSC is still reviewing the location for their next meeting, although Tim and Tammy have heard it may be in the United States.