Liam Paterson, 21, is one of 1925 members of the community who will carry the Queen’s Baton in the Commonwealth Games relay.By Kath Gannaway
If being a champion is about courage, determination, and making the most of what life dishes out, the 21-year-old fits the bill.
As one of the 1925 community runners who will take part in the Queen’s Baton Relay, he will carry the baton in Healesville on Tuesday, 21 February.
Liam has lived with and dealt with a debilitating condition called epidermolysis bullosa all his life.
His mother says the condition can be described as “fragile skin”, which is very painful and requires constant treatment.
From secondary school, Liam has been in a wheelchair and he has, to a significant degree, lost the use of his hands.
Lilydale Rotarian Neville Lester, one of a number of people who nominated Liam as a baton runner, said: “Liam is a bright young fellow who is getting on with life.”
Liam, who lives with his parents, Peter and Gwenda, and younger sisters, Charlotte and Elizabeth, spoke at a Rotary meeting about three years ago.
“You would have to say with his level of disability he really is remarkably open and positive,” Mr Lester said.
“You could hear a pin drop when he spoke very frankly about the daily and weekly challenges he faces. He really made an impression.”
Liam concedes that he could be something of an inspiration to others, but refuses to be placed on a pedestal. He says he is living the life he knows.
He is currently taking a Bachelor of Information Technology Software Engineering at Swinburne TAFE.
“A lot of people seem surprised that I’m going to university but I never considered not going,” he said.
