Wodonga’s Nathan Pearce will fly to the United Arab Emirates capital city where he will join 7000 athletes from 170 countries to compete in the World Summer Games from March 8 to 21.

Proud foster mum Judith McKeown said Nathan was a “non swimmer” when he came to stay with the family.

But the 18-year-old, who has an intellectual disability, took to the sport like a duck to water.

He has worked hard on his fitness to improve his swimming, with weekly lessons and regular sessions at the gym, according to Mrs McKeown.

“Nathan is a technically correct swimmer – if you tell him how to do something he can do it,” she said.

“He has the brain for it.”

Nathan’s can-do attitude and determination have seen him make a splash in many other avenues of his life.

On Thursday, he passed his driving test – in a manual car no less – and those hard-earned P plates will be displayed on a little red car he paid off himself.

“It had to be in a manual (car),” Mrs McKeown laughed.

“He watched You Tube clips about how to change gears.”

Nathan is the first Belvoir Special School student to complete a Certificate II course (in integrated technology) after attending mainstream classes at Wodonga Senior Secondary College for the past two years.

“Nathan loved attending three classes a week there,” Mrs McKeown said.

“It really helped develop his self-confidence and independence.

“He proudly wore his Belvoir shirt to class and the college students were just amazing.”

Teacher Russell Turner described Nathan as “a wonderful addition to our class”.

“He has a kindness (and great sense of humour) that is infectious and heart-warming,” Mr Turner wrote to the family.

… “It was always terrific to see him coming to class with a spring in his step and confident in the knowledge that he had been accepted (and respected) as an equal by his fellow students.”

During 2018, Nathan also undertook work experience at ABC Goulburn Murray, where his passion for all things radio and media related was to blossom further.

Nathan earned a place on Australia’s world games team after winning gold, silver and bronze at the national titles in Adelaide.

He was approved for an Aspire community grant to support the $7000 needed for travel, uniform and other costs but was able to return the grant after successfully fundraising the money himself.

Aspire board director Lizzie Pogson said it was heart-warming to see such generosity of spirit.

“It means we are now able to give that money to someone else,” she said.

“The grants help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.

“They support a lot of community inclusion activities such as sport but also help with mobility equipment and technology assistance.”

The Aspire Oaks Day Luncheon is the major fundraiser for the community grants scheme and this year raised a record $19,000 as part of its 10^th anniversary.

Mrs Pogson, who chairs the community grants board, said she was incredibly grateful to the team of helpers who supported her to run the luncheon: Tracey Zauner, Fran Holland and Liz Wotherspoon.

With the Commercial Club Albury as a co-contributer each year, the community spirit of generosity is what continued to underpin the ongoing success of the grant scheme and set Aspire apart from other organisations, she said.

​Australia will be represented by 105 athletes who will compete across 11 sports at the world games, supported by 35 volunteer officials.

Mrs McKeown, who will travel to the UAE for part of the event, said the trip would throw Nathan in the deep end in terms of stepping out of his comfort zone.

But the quiet young man, who has a keen interest in current affairs, travel, the media and all things related to technology, would absolutely embrace the opportunity.

“Nathan has an intellectual disability but he is so smart,” she said.

“He will remember every single detail of this experience.”