Damian Gower is severely disabled, but he’s always up for an adventure. Rafting down the Breede River is just one of his many daring pastimes. With the help of his mother Deirdre, 21-year-old Damian has journeyed on horseback, conquered Table Mountain, completed half marathons, and even finished the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
As a toddler, Damian was almost walking when he contracted measles. He began showing signs of regression at nine months old, which left him quadriplegic and limited his ability to communicate. Though doctors still haven’t been able to diagnose Damian, Deirdre hasn’t let these obstacles derail her son. “I decided that no matter what, we were going to keep on living our lives and experiencing the adventures that we loved,” she says. The single mother has carried Damian on hikes since he was two years old and organised myriad expeditions for him. “I wouldn’t be doing this if Damian didn’t love it,” she says. “He enjoys every activity that he participates in.”
In 2015, Deirdre founded the Warrior on Wheels Foundation to share their quests with people who are physically challenged. With sponsors who lend physical and financial aid, the group is able to embark on adrenaline-filled activities at their own pace. “As a parent, I understand the need to protect our children and shelter them,” Deirdre says. “But our kids also want to try new things and discover their own passions.” There’s no right or wrong way to care for someone with special needs. Yet for this mother and son, adventure is the route they’re taking.
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