The power of sport: How powerlifting and basketball changed everything for Adam

Adam Lamb sometimes struggles to understand the world around him.

The world around him hasn’t always provided the opportunities that would allow 15-year-old Adam, who has autism, to flourish.

With the introduction of supports via the NDIS and Feros Care, Adam's had a fresh chance to embark on an adventure with a whole new scope of possibilities.

Born Lorraine, Adam is also embracing his gender transition and his wish to be recognised as a male. 

He is loving life as Adam, having taken up powerlifting, table tennis and basketball, and is preparing to compete at the Australian Powerlifting Union Nationals in the Special Olympics Division to be held on the Gold Coast in October.

Adam will also take part in a mainstream Australia Day Basketball competition in January 2023 with his fellow Special Olympics basketballers.

Adam’s sporting coach and mentor, Feros Care Assistant Service Area Manager for Mackay, Kimberly Doyle, says that for a long time Adam felt he had not found a place in life where he “belonged”.

“He just wanted to be accepted for who he was and feel like he was valued.”

Kimberly, who is a volunteer with the Mackay Special Olympics Fire club and coaches her athletes each Saturday, believes Adam now feels like he belongs, feels heard and can achieve his personal best in the sporting arena.

The power of positivity

Kimberly – who is a state referee for powerlifting and a national accredited basketball coach – says she has seen a “massive improvement” in Adam’s positivity since he began taking part in weekly social and competitive sports.

“He felt surrounded by negativity at school and it was rubbing off on him – his expectation was always of the negative.

“I can just see now that with the way he carries himself, he’s far more confident and he’s more social with the other players.

“He’ll stop and chat to people and he’s just like any other 15-year-old.

“It’s been amazing to see his personal growth and how he’s been putting himself out there,” Kimberly adds. “And he’s a machine on the basketball court – he runs and runs and runs.”

Adam is finally realising his best life.

“He’s living his true potential. Previously, he couldn’t be his own true self. He always thought he had to be something else to be accepted. I always say to the athletes, ‘Let your light shine bright.’

“I like to see myself as a game changer, and that’s what I’ve tried to do for Adam.”

Kimberly says it was crucial for people who are experiencing isolation or loneliness to become involved in their community and feel valued.

Supports, psychology and branching out

Since accessing supports with the help of Feros Care, Adam now spends regular time with a psychologist and a short amount of time with a support worker. He’s due to start appointments with an occupational therapist next month.

Adam’s mother, Katie Lamb, says the psychology sessions have been “very helpful”.

“Seeing a psychologist has helped Adam find an even ground and also helped him in his gender transition.

“His emotional regulation has come from skill-building with his psychologist and with the family and it’s a long process that is continual work. And the support carers are a God-send.”

Katie says the introduction of sport in Adam’s life has allowed him to thrive.

Previously, she says, Adam hadn’t enjoyed any sport although he had taken part in classes at Sensory Circus.

“However thanks to the team of support carers and the lead carers, Adam has branched out hugely and he has gained so much for it under Kimberly, his coach.

“He's a power lifter, a basket ball player and is venturing into table tennis and bowling.”

Adam had lacked confidence in sports, as Katie says he felt uncoordinated.

“Finding things he enjoys and is good out has made him flourish and given he a confidence he previously lacked with peers in particular.

Physical benefits of sport

Kimberly says the benefits of taking part in sport to Adam’s physical wellbeing have been enormous.

When he began powerlifting with her, she noticed he had joint movement anomalies and urged him to consult an allied health professional.

The physio noted that Adam was experiencing diminished strength and reduced joint integrity. Adam was then able to access NDIS funding to ensure he could take part in the powerlifting sessions that helped his strength-building.

Kimberly says Adam was hesitant at first about taking part in the sport competitively, but then was supported by Special Olympics Mackay Fire volunteers to take part in the NQ Games in April/May this year.

Adam was able to take part in the athlete march during the opening ceremony and, with two other lifters, he competed in the Australian Powerlifting Union Qld Titles in the Special Olympics division (push/pull). He played social bowling, table tennis, basketball and bocce.

Throughout the competition, Adam was supported by Kimberly.

“Adam was able to attend sport with confidence, feel inclusive in a team environment in a social and competition setting, feel challenged yet accomplished through team and solo sport participation, improve body strength and limb movement range, improve his expressive and receptive language through teammate interactions both on and off the field,” she says.

On the return trip, Kimberly helped Adam to hold a mini information session on the bus – he talked to his fellow athletes about living life as a male, and how he reached this decision.

As Adam forges ahead with his new life, Kimberly is proud of his efforts – she believes he could eventually become an athlete leader with coaching and further mentorship if he wants.

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