MOST of us take for granted simple tasks such as getting dressed in the morning, driving the car to the local deli or playing a musical instrument.
Such tasks are slightly trickier for Kalamunda’s Laetitia Thompson, who was born without any hands or feet and has learnt to live with prosthetic legs and a mechanical arm.
While most of us may struggle in the same situation, it has made the 24-year-old’s achievements through life that extra bit special.
Laetitia’s courage is full of inspiration for others with disabilities, a fact recognised through her selection as a finalist in the 2009 WA Youth Awards.
“I guess I always knew I was different from everyone but because I had a good upbringing I was never treated any differently, so I’m lucky,” she said.
“Sometimes I wish I could do things that others can, like travel by myself, but I think that my disability has shaped me into the person I am today.”
Like any other person, Laetitia is often faced with difficult times and she finds writing provides a creative outlet to express her feelings and emotions.
It is a talent she is pursuing though university, where she is studying for a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and arts, majoring in history and English.
“I take all of my experiences and turn them into different stories,” she said. “Going to university has been the most rewarding experience for me. I graduate in two years and I’m excited about that.”
Laetitia said changing people’s perceptions of her disability was a challenge.
“Everyone seems to have a preconceived idea about individuals with disabilities,” she said. “I think I’m normal and I struggle when I’m with those kinds of people.
“They think that because I have a physical disability I have an intellectual disability as well. You learn to get over it though.”
Laetitia believes everyone is unique with his or her own potential and conveys this message to the community’s youth to encourage them to greater achievements.
“Because someone is different doesn’t mean they have fewer experiences to share and I want to share my story with others,” she said.
“My disabilities don’t set me back. I do what I do because I’ve always been told to believe that anything is possible.”
This is particularly evident through Laetitia’s achievements in swimming.
She took up the sport competitively at 12 and entered the WA Disabled Sports Association. To date, she has 23 gold medals.
“I won my first medal when I was 13,” she said. “The sense of pride I felt was so great because I put everything into my races.”
Laetitia went to the Pan Pacific Games in Sydney when she was 15 and broke a national record in her age group.
Office of Youth director Marg Dawkins said Laetitia was “a natural-born leader”.
“She encourages people not to give up on life even when the going gets rough at ti mes,” she said.
Winners of the 2009 WA Youth Awards will be announced on April 2.