Being born with spastic paraplegia, a hereditary disease that causes progressive stiffness and contraction in the lower limbs, didn't slow Austin down from his love of going fast, no matter what he was doing. After school, you could find him racing around and being active. He especially loved wheelchair racing but found that it was tough always having to borrow racing chairs that other people had used and outgrown. These chairs never fit Austin quite right and were holding him back. Austin shared, “I was settling for the equipment I was using. I was not operating on a full deck.”
Austin, September 2014
In 2014, sixteen-year-old Austin received his Shine Dream of his own customized racing chair. He shared that his biggest goal was to compete in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. Two years later, Austin achieved this goal by not only competing in the 2016 Paralympic Games, he also placed 6th in the men's 100m T34 final. With determination, Austin later competed in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and many World Championships. This past summer, Austin represented Canada at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in the men’s 400m and 800m para athletics, beating the world record in the 400m at 48.38 seconds! His star performances in both races won him bronze and gold medals. This has been Austin's greatest achievement yet, but he's set on getting better every year as he gears up for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
“It’s so hard to express the kind of nervous energy that takes over when thousands of people are screaming in the stands with the camera crew in your face at the starting line announcing your name and your country,” said Austin back in 2014. “[Being] ready in my custom chair gave me and my parents and all our friends and family such a great sense of pride."
Beyond competition, Austin is an Athlete Director with Athletics Canada and sought-after keynote speaker, helping shape the future of para sports while advocating for athletes across the country. He inspires other to embrace challenges, shoot for the stars, and turn imagination into opportunity!
“Shine has had a really awesome impact. It’s helped me reach my goals. Shine helps kids reach their goals and do exactly what they want to do.”
The road to the Paralympics wouldn’t have been possible for Austin without our Shine supporters. Help support more Shine Dreams like Austin’s, so even more young people living with severe physical disabilities can have their Paralympic dreams come true too.
