The power of sport: How powerlifting and basketball changed everything for Adam
Adam Lamb sometimes struggles to understand the world around him.
The world around him hasn’t always provided the opportunities that would allow 15-year-old Adam, who has autism, to flourish.
With the introduction of supports via the NDIS and Feros Care, Adam’s had a fresh chance to embark on an adventure with a whole new scope of possibilities.
Born Lorraine, Adam is also embracing his gender transition and his wish to be recognised as a male.
He is loving life as Adam, having taken up powerlifting, table tennis and basketball, and is preparing to compete at the Australian Powerlifting Union Nationals in the Special Olympics Division to be held on the Gold Coast in October.
Adam will also take part in a mainstream Australia Day Basketball competition in January 2023 with his fellow Special Olympics basketballers.
Adam’s sporting coach and mentor, Feros Care Assistant Service Area Manager for Mackay, Kimberly Doyle, says that for a long time Adam felt he had not found a place in life where he “belonged”.
“He just wanted to be accepted for who he was and feel like he was valued.”
Kimberly, who is a volunteer with the Mackay Special Olympics Fire club and coaches her athletes each Saturday, believes Adam now feels like he belongs, feels heard and can achieve his personal best in the sporting arena.
The power of positivity
Kimberly – who is a state referee for powerlifting and a national accredited basketball coach – says she has seen a “massive improvement” in Adam’s positivity since he began taking part in weekly social and competitive sports.
“He felt surrounded by negativity at school and it was rubbing off on him – his expectation was always of the negative.
“I can just see now that with the way he carries himself, he’s far more confident and he’s more social with the other players.
“He’ll stop and chat to people and he’s just like any other 15-year-old.
“It’s been amazing to see his personal growth and how he’s been putting himself out there,” Kimberly adds.
“And he’s a machine on the basketball court – he runs and runs and runs.”
