FOR Stefan Noto, taking part in this week’s five-day Mighty River Run means much more than just getting out on the water he loves in his prized new speedboat with good mates – it’s a chance to give back to an organisation that helped him as a little bloke.
The 25-year-old was born with cerebral palsy, undergoing more surgeries than he “can remember” and learning to walk when the odds were stacked against him.
Fast forward and today, when he’s not working as a draftsman and estimator, he is on the water wakeboarding, driving his boat, or at the shooting range, training for the Australian Para Clay Target team – the only South Australian to compete in shotgun class at a national level.
“I can’t thank my parents enough really, without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today – I would probably be in a wheelchair today if it wasn’t for them,” the Angle Vale man said.
“I love being out on the water, I’ve always loved my swimming, and I had grown up watching my cousins wakeboard and I thought, you know what I want to give this a real go.”
Through his National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan, Mr Noto was able to access training with physiotherapists to strengthen the muscles he would need to stay up on the wakeboard before being taught by SA School of Wake president Dani Lambert.
“It took a while to work out my balance and (my) co-ordination seemed to have a mind of its own,” Mr Noto said.
“But with sheer determination and endless persistence, seven months later I was up, a little bit longer than Dani thought it would take.”
Buying his own boat was the next step, with a mate then devising a simple modification to allow him to drive it – Mr Noto’s cerebral palsy impacts movement on the right side of his body.
“It felt amazing to be behind the steering wheel of the boat, driving around and in full control,” he said.
“I was really ecstatic and you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.”
As well as his parents, Mr Noto acknowledges the support he and his family received from organisations such as NDIS-provider Novita, while growing up and which he is now an ambassador for.
The same organisation he is raising funds for this week – so far raising more than $6,000.
“It’s really important for me to be able to give back to Novita (as it) has done so much for me and it is great to be able to support it to help someone else in need,” he said.
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Novita is one of the state’s oldest charities and this year marks the 13th annual Mighty River Run event with millions of dollars raised since the first race in 2006.
The flotilla left Murray Bridge on Monday and is due to arrive in Renmark on Friday.
To donate to Mr Noto’s Team Bianco – Wet Blankets crew, go to Novita’s Mighty River Run homepage and follow the links on the fundraising page to Team Bianco.
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