By Kath Gannaway
Dane Waites, an award winning athlete with autism, is running the dream.
The 47-year-old is passing through the Yarra Valley today and tomorrow (Saturday) on a 4000-plus kilometre ultra marathon stretching from one side of Australia to the other.
Since leaving Perth on 18 June, Dane has averaged 40 to 55 kilometres a day, on his way home to Pambula as he raises money for autism and mental health awareness and research through Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT), Beyondblue and Autism CRC.
Arriving in Healesville on Thursday 14 September, Dane was guest of honour at the Rotary Club of Healesville’s weekly meeting and is enjoying the opportunity on his Friday rest day to catch up with the many special friends he has in this part of the world.
Against all odds, since being diagnosed with classic autism, he has learnt to talk, recognise emotions and make lifelong friendships.
He represented Australia at the Special Olympics in Dublin, bringing home a bronze medal and has spent the past 14 years preparing and training to fulfil ‘Dane’s Dream – Perth2Pambula’.
He said there have been many highlights along the long road so far, and crossing the Nullarbor is high up the list.
“It was just a straight line; I ran on the 90 mile straight, the longest straight stretch of highway in Australia,” he said.
Even on the Nullarbor, people have taken the time to stop and chat, asking the vital question “what are you doing it for?”
It’s the chance to spread the word that Dane relishes.
“It’s to help raise awareness for families who have sons and daughters with autism.
“And, it’s to help find out why do families have children with autism, and with mental health problems, and to help them find out what’s causing these problems,” he says.
It’s also about sharing his own experience of life as someone living on the spectrum.
“I have a great life,” he says. “And I think everyone should have as great a life as I have.”
His genuine approach to live, and his energy is inspiring.
With a great support team, including his beautiful mum Junee, and so many people following his journey on the road and in the digital world, the “loneliness of the long distance runner” is not a problem he has encountered.
And, there’s another special person who is with him on the journey … in spirit!
Dane said he is running in memory of his father, Rod, who shared the dream and was a great support.
Junee said when Rod passed away, plans for Perth2Pambula were put on hold for a while.
“But Dane never let go of that dream,” she said.
Dane will set off from Healesville on Saturday 16 September, at 8.30am, doing a run through the town as he makes his way across the valley to Powelltown for the night.
With more than 115,000 Australians on the autism spectrum, Dane is determined to raise the much-needed funds for medical research, awareness and support services for other Australian’s on the autism spectrum.
Rotary donated $500 as a club, and individual members added to the tally on the night.
You can support Dane by donating to his MyCause donation page (www.mycause.com.au/page/89104/perth2pambula), making a tax-deductible donation direct to Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT), Beyondblue or Autism CRC, or in person if you catch up on his way through the valley.
