By XAVIER SMERDON
A WYNDHAM father who wanted nothing more than for his son to have the best chances in life has used his ambition to help hundreds of other families in similar situations.
Steve Morgan’s son Corey has autism, making usually simple things like swimming lessons a major hurdle.
Almost four years ago Mr Morgan grew frustrated with the lack of services for special needs children in the West, so he decided to do something about it.
He started up the Rainbow Club of Point Cook, a group that aims to teach autistic children how to survive around water.
The first class had only six people attend, and in just a few short years it had grown to 150 people and 15 instructors.
“The year immediately before we started these classes seven autistic children died in water related incidents in Victoria,” Mr Morgan said.
“One thing that comes with autism is that the children love water, they are drawn to it, but they just don’t the natural reflexes to survive in it.”
Werribee South 10-year-old, Sophia Nave, has been taking swimming lessons with the Rainbow Club since they first started.
He mother Lana said she has seen remarkable changes in her daughter.
“It’s definitely made her more confident,” Ms Nave said.
“She’s open to anything now when it comes to the water, because she trusts the instructor and she’s formed a relationship with them.”
Classes are still available at the Rainbow Club for this year.
For more information visit www.rainbowclub.org.au or call 0438 278 982.
