It would be hard to find a young cricketer more devoted to the sport he loves than Oliver Wilson.
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He bats, bowls, studies "the physics of cricket" like it's a subject at school and is always helping his team with extra coaching tips.
But this weekend the bubbly 11-year-old all-rounder will play his last cricket match with his mates at Eastlake Cricket Club following a shock diagnosis of muscular dystrophy, which has forced him to scale back all physical activities.
He can still walk, but at school or during long days out he now uses a wheelchair.
While playing cricket, Oliver has a runner between wickets to support his batting, he bowls with a sidearm action, and he sometimes needs to substitute when fielding.
Friends, teachers, coaches and family have rallied around to offer Oliver support, which is why this weekend is so special.
While some would view the situation as the final chapter of a sporting career taken away too soon, Oliver sees it a different way.
He's already plotting new ways to still be involved in sports, and while bravely tackling every physical and mental hurdle ahead, he's repeating an important mantra.
"You can do anything if you put your mind to it," Oliver told The Canberra Times.
"It won't always happen, but dream big.
"I feel lucky that the club is so supportive, that they'll offer me things like being an umpire and scorer after this. I even have a new dream of coaching a cricket squad, which would be awesome."
"It would be nice to find a way to play cricket in my wheelchair, but I also know I won't be playing cricket forever, and I feel lucky that I have gotten so far," he added.
"It's been a bit tough. I've had to stop a few things, but I'm getting through it."
Oliver's positive approach to the premature end to his junior cricket-playing days have inspired many people around him.
Eastlake and Cricket ACT will host a special presentation to celebrate Oliver after his match on Saturday morning. His family and friends will be there, as well as some surprise guests.
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Oliver's mum Caitlin is expecting the presentation to be a memorable moment.
"It'll be very emotional," she said. "It's so uplifting and so heart-warming. We feel really seen for Ollie with the challenges, hard work and perseverance he's had with all this.
"Last year when he won Coach's Choice award, I bawled my eyes out, because his coach said while his body wasn't always able to step up, his ideas, enthusiasm and his mind always do, and he's a real team player.
When he won Coach's Choice award, I bawled my eyes out, because his coach said while his body wasn't always able to step up, his ideas, enthusiasm and his mind always do, and he's a real team player.
- Caitlin Wilson
"Ollie really wants to help engage and support other kids with muscular dystrophy of all forms and he keeps coming up with ideas for modified sports.
"He's absolutely astounding. He blows me away."
It was January last year that the family learned of Oliver's diagnosis.
Becker muscular dystrophy is one of nine types of the genetic degenerative disease. It is similar to the most common type - Duchenne muscular dystrophy - but it progresses slower and symptoms aren't noticed until later in childhood or even adulthood.
There was no known family history of muscular dystrophy for Oliver. He first showed signs something wasn't quite right when he was nearly eight years old.
His mum noticed the young boy walking up stairs one step at a time while his friends would zoom up past him, and he also complained of pain in his legs.
After a trip to the family doctor, then a few other specialists for further testing, Oliver was referred to Sydney Children's Hospital and right after he turned 10, he was told he had Becker muscular dystrophy.
Muscular Dystrophy Australia says statistics about Becker muscular dystrophy are unclear, with reports of diagnosis ranging from one in 18,000 to one in 31,000.
"It was the hardest year of my life," Caitlin said. "I took six months off work to get my head around it and what Ollie needed.
"We're now with the National Disability Insurance Scheme, he sees a physiotherapist regularly and he doesn't have pain as much because he doesn't overexert himself.
"It affects all the muscles in the body including heart and lungs, not just your limbs."
Beyond the physical, Oliver's family, including his mum, dad James, and brother Hamish, are all trying to "keep filling his cup" in what is an ongoing adjustment for him.
"There are times, obviously, that it's really hard and he feels really low and sad, but we're hauling him through that," Caitlin said.
"We all have to adapt and keep filling his cup in different ways rather than thinking it's the end of the road, because it's actually not.
"He's so keen to make the best of everything and always find joy."
