Peter Tait went to the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney in pistol shooting for Australia hoping and dreaming for medal.
Peter shot over a distance of 25 metres. All in all Peter won a silver medal with a score of 567 points being beaten by just a small amount by a competitor from China.
Peter Tait competed against approximately 25 other paralympian from various countries. Peter struggled through his nerves to fulfil his dream of winning a silver medal for his country.
Peter lost his arm in a shooting accident when he was sixteen and living on his family farm at Willaura, Victoria. After spending 10 weeks in hospital Peter had to adapt to life without his left arm. He had to learn to write right-handed and learn how to do a whole range of things we take for granted.
Peter's boss, Steve, encouraged and supported Peter in his quest to the Paralympic Games.
Although only having one arm, it doesn't stop Peter from doing his duties. He can do most things including driving a car, writing with his non-perferred hand, and working as a builder doing all the jobs that an able bodied person can do.
Peter made the state team leading the way to being an able-bodied Olympian in the Summer Olympic Games but didn't quite make it.
Having a disability does not stop a person from fulfiling a dream and doing something they have always wanted to do.
How I met Peter? I just heard about him through my dad and then I first met Peter at one of my dad's, works Social club. Then I heard that he was in the Olympics. I thought I could invite him to my school. I invited Peter to my school because we had done a lot of work on the Olympics and he won a silver medal at the Paralympics.
Mt Pleasant Primary School
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
[Ashley P, Rhys W. Sam M., Erica W. Stephanie P.]