James (Jamie) Duncan Roe, disabled athlete
Background
Born in 1971 with severe cerebral palsy which affects my balance and co-ordination as well as my perception. I walk with Canadian crutches some of the time but mostly it is quicker to use a wheelchair (or scoot around the floor like a crab at home).
I started off at Rehab. in the old Royal Canberra Hospital and then attended pre and primary school at the Hartley St. Centre special school before moving into the mainstream at North Curtin Primary and Wanniassa High (where Mrs Simm started me in athletics and drama) finally progressing to Erindale College where I completed Year 12.
Interests
I am a member of the ACT and Region Disabled Sport and Recreation Association, ADSRA, and play wheelchair basketball etc in their skills programme at Lake Ginninderra College each week. I train for field with my throws coach George Szakiel.
George Szakiel and his 1996-97 team of throwers - Connell O'Neill, Mary LaTurner, James Roe (front), George, Julia Dalbo, Philippa Roe (front) and Mike O'Neill.
A friend, Didier Lerable (aka "Frog"), pushed me in my old steel wheelchair in the September 1993 Canberra Times Fun Run. We finished well up in the field and got our picture in the paper.
Athletics (field & track)
My goal is to represent Australia as a CP3 in athletics at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics. I competed in the Cerebral Palsy Nationals in Brisbane in March 1995 and in the Westpac 1996 Australian Multidisability Championships in Sydney.
I'm grateful to the sponsors (La Grange restaurant Manuka, Erindale Snack Bar, My Cafe Manuka, Piccola Italiano restaurant Torrens, Video Ezy Mawson, Capital Chemist Mawson, Crystal Softdrinks & Mawson Newsagency) who helped me get to Brisbane. I hope that improvements in my performances will encourage others to assist me to compete in the Sydney 2000 Paralympics if I'm good enough. To see my performances so far in athletics click here.
Lawn bowls
With the help of Bryan Webb I've started to learn with the disabled group at the Southern Cross Club's Yamba Sports Centre, Phillip.
Dad and me at the Yamba Sports Club.
Darts
I also play social darts each week at the Yamba Sports Centre.
Computing
Dad's old 386SX16 IBM PC clone is still useful for me to play games on.
Drama
I played Spider in the Wanniassa High production of "The Rule of Zip" and sang in the chorus in "South Pacific" while at Erindale College.
Genealogy
I'm proud to be a sixth generation Australian descended from a Welsh private soldier in the 73rd Regiment of Foot who came out as a guard on the convict ship, "Dromedary", in 1810. See Dad's and my research interests in my tiny tafel.
Country music
My favourite artists are Slim Dusty and John Williamson.
Contact me by email through my father, Colin Roe.
22/10/97