PATRICK Francis is a talented sportsman and artist.
The 19-year-old competes in swimming, golf and ten-pin bowling, plus frequently sells his paintings in exhibitions across the West.
The teen was born with autism, making him over-sensitive to heat, noise and crowds.
He also has limited language skills, but that hasn’t stopped him from winning six medals last year through the Special Olympics program.
Patrick has also recently been nominated for the Australian of the Year 2011 award and won the individual sporting achievement award at the recent Maribyrnong Inclusive Recognition Awards.
Other winners at the Maribyrnong Inclusive Recognition Awards were Janet Anderson (Personal Achievement Award), Cleanable Property Services (Inclusive Business Award), Footscray City Gymnastics Club (Sporting Achievement Award – Club), Larissa MacFarlane (Individual Arts Award), North Footscray Football Club (Sporting Achievement Award – Club), Julie Smith (Volunteering Award) and Western Futures Volunteer Catering Group (Volunteering Award).
