A Willetton man who has lived with a vision impairment since birth is hoping the community can help him compete for Western Australia at the Special Olympics National Games in Melbourne this October.
Ryan Underwood, 43, has been selected in WA’s tenpin bowling team after qualifying through several Special Olympics WA competitions.
The national event is another milestone in a sporting journey that began when Ryan was eight years old.
“My uncle and aunty suggested tenpin bowling. It’s a sport where I can achieve something for myself and it’s the only sport I can do with my vision impairment,” he said.
Ryan has had numerous eye operations throughout his life and says bowling comes with challenges that many people do not see.
He cannot clearly see the pins, and glare inside bowling centres makes it even harder to judge his shots. He also has epilepsy, which can sometimes cause dizziness and keep him away from the sport.
To help manage these challenges, Ryan wears yellow lenses to reduce glare, does balance exercises at the gym and relies on his support workers to tell him how many pins remain standing after each bowl.
“I can’t see the pins clearly and can’t see sleeper pins, which are pins right behind each other,” he said.
“My support staff tell me how many pins are still standing and when there are sleeper pins left.”
Despite those obstacles, Ryan has built an impressive bowling career.
He has competed in state and national championships for many years, represented Australia at the World Blind Championships twice, including events in Campbelltown near Sydney and Kuala Lumpur, and has competed at the Blind National Championships since 2003.
Ryan said he was proud when he learned he had been selected to represent WA at the Special Olympics National Games.
“I felt great. I was proud to be representing my state,” he said.
“It makes me proud to represent people with vision impairment and disabilities.”
While he would like to bring home a medal, Ryan said his main goal is simply to do his best and make great connections.
“I would like to win but mainly just doing my best and meeting athletes from other states would also be good,” he said.
Bowling has become much more than a hobby.
“Bowling has been a huge part of my life. If I could bowl every day I would. It means the world to me,” he said.
Ryan now faces another challenge before he can compete.
He needs to raise about $4,500 to cover travel and competition costs.
According to his support worker, Ronnie Barley, NDIS funding does not cover sporting competitions under current policy.
Ryan said competing is expensive because he also relies on support workers to help him prepare and spot pins during events.
“I don’t get funding for myself or my support staff who I rely on to help spot for me and get me prepared for bowling,” he said.
“Without my family and support staff I could not have done so many competitions in the past or look forward to doing more.”
Ryan is raising funds through the Australian Sports Foundation website, where donations can be made by searching for his name.
