Independent living helps Scott pursue his dreams

Scott proudly displays his silver medal in basketball from the 2006 Far East and South Pacific Sports Games for the Disabled.

In 1996, Scott Wintle was travelling across Europe when a motorbike accident resulted in permanent paraplegia and a new set of challenges in the young athlete's life.

Now 34, Scott lives in a fully accessible two-bedroom Department of Housing property, which enables him to live his life and pursue his new sporting ambitions independently.

"Without the availability of social housing designed for people who use a wheelchair, I would have had to move back in with my parents after I finished rehabilitation," said Scott.

"Living in my own place, where I can do things for myself, I have the same choices about work, education and sport as other people my age."

His waterskiing prowess has made Scott a world champion.

Since his accident, Scott has made outstanding achievements in the sporting arena, thanks to a positive attitude, encouragement and the opportunities provided through community groups.

"The transition from able-bodied athlete to wheelchair athlete was quite easy, especially with the help from my brother and the Come 'n' Try programs offered by the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association," said Scott.

Scott has been a regular player with Brisbane's Spinning Bullets wheelchair basketball team for the past two years, and helped the team to fourth place in the 2006 National Basketball League championships.

He was selected for the Australian Rollers wheelchair basketball team, and travelled to Malaysia in November 2006 to compete in the Far East and South Pacific Sports Games for the Disabled, which are second in size only to the Paralympics.

Scott has also competed in waterskiing at a national level since 2001. He attended the World Disabled Water Ski Championships in Townsville in May this year, where he was awarded a gold medal in the tricks event and a silver medal in jumps, helping the Australian men's team to a silver medal overall.

Keeping a busy schedule during the basketball season, Scott is involved in an intensive training program which includes four two-hour training sessions during the week as well as home gym work outs. Scott manages all this in addition to a full-time job.

Scott's successes also extend to the academic world; he has earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Diploma of Multimedia.