Cerebral Palsy teenager undertaking fitness qualification

Alex Ma, a teenager born with Cerebral Palsy and unable to walk until age six, is on the road to a career in fitness.
Ma believes his dramatic recovery is a result of training at the City of Sydney's Ian Thorpe Aquatic and Fitness Centre and the City has now taken the 17 year old Pyrmont resident on board as a trainee fitness instructor, allowing him to gain the skills to motivate others and share his incredible determination and dedication to fitness.
Alex, known to many as 'Big Al', is now undertaking his Certificate III in Fitness at the City's YMCA at the Ian Thorpe, which will see him become a qualified personal trainer.
He explains "I have always wanted to be an athlete, but for many years my disability wouldn't let me.
"Exercise has helped me build up my muscles and now I can walk on my own two feet and my body is strong and I'm fighting my disability.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm treated special because I have a disability that is obvious and people can see. But there are other people, who could benefit from exercise like I have, and their disabilities might be less obvious, like depression or obesity.
"But I want to tell people that if you have the encouragement you need - anything is possible. That's why I'm determined to become a personal trainer."
Alex's mother, Louise Ma, said strength building has always been a vital part of Alex's health and progress.
She explains "Alex first walked at age six, but his development then plateaued and by age 12 he could no longer balance or support himself on his own. Due to a severely in-turned right leg and foot, his mobility was limited to a wheelchair.
"In 2007, Alex underwent a major operation to correct his leg muscles, in the hope that he would be able to walk again.
"This was followed by intense rehabilitation and it is here that he began a weekly fitness and physio program at the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre."
Alex's weekly exercise regime with YMCA trainers includes; four gym sessions with Robbie, his personal trainer; three water aerobic lessons with Sharon and one private swimming technique class with Hamid.
Alex also trains weekly with the Manly Sea Eagles head trainer Donny Singe at the teams' Narrabeen training camp.
Louise Ma adds "we have seen a dramatic improvement in his movement, strength, balance and coordination during his rehabilitation over the past three years.
"Today, Alex walks unaided with pride and determination. His intense training program has seen him grow into a very tall, muscular and super fit young man.
"Through his own journey, Alex has developed a dedication to help and motivate others who are challenged physically, spiritually and emotionally.
"He's an inspiration to our whole family, and to anyone who has the pleasure of meeting him," added Louise.
City of Sydney acting Chief Executive Garry Harding says that Alex is an outstanding young man, stating "Alex is a credit to himself and has a determination that will see him motivate his future fitness clients to be the best they can be.
"Lifeguards, trainers and members of the public all stop and make time to get to know Alex - and through his remarkable recovery, Alex is now inspiring everyone at our Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre.
"Alex has, through his own commitment and fitness breakthroughs, earned the opportunity to inspire others through a personal training career - and the City is proud to be giving him the chance to realise his professional goals."
Alex's story has also been featured on Ten News Sydney.

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