Lewis Bishop swims the lows and highs of life on his way into Aussie Dolphins team set for the World Para Swimming Championships
Why? Because he saw rock bottom, a near-death experience 10 years ago which motivated him to strive for one of his proudest moments - winning at bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games
'There were so many years building up to that moment, and the fact that my parents were there was special,'' said Lewis, a butterfly ace.
'It was my first team and I did not have the expectation of winning a medal so the bronze medal was almost unbelievable at the time.''
To think it was just 10 years ago when Bishop, aged nine, went to hell and back.
Bishop, now 19, was living in PNG with his mum and dad, Clare and Damon, where his dad worked in the mines and his mother ran a swimming squad for locals.
One day he was out on the water knee boarding with family friends when he jumped into the water and got his leg caught in the propeller.
The injuries were so horrific, he was at death's door. 'I almost died,'' 19-year-old Bishop said.
He was in a critical condition, flown to Townsville hospital that night, and after a week transported to Brisbane.
Bishop had his leg amputated below the knee, but the wound became infected and had to be amputated higher up.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is what the bottom of the barrel looks like and Bishop saw it.
He then continued to push through more adversity before, 12 operations later, Bishop's life started to swing around.
'Within a few months (after the accident) I was walking again, and a few months after that I was active again back in the pool.''
A bit of tough love from mum helped him get back into the pool.
'I'd like to say mum basically tipped me out of my (wheel) chair and into the pool.
'She said 'you are not going to be sitting around because of your disability'. You are going to be active,'' Bishop recalled.
'I learned to do that (swim) before I learned to walk again.''
First stop in the rebirth of his sporting journey was the Somerville House school pool, not far from the hospital where he was staying.
'I don't remember swimming being too difficult. Obviously the kick was not as strong, but I could float and I made it to the other end, so I was happy.''
Joining Bishop in the water was his mum, Clare.
'As soon as his wounds were healed, I took him in a wheelchair up to Somerville House pool and tipped him in and it was the first time he had probably smiled since the accident,'' Clare said.
'We knew the only way forward was to keep him active the best way we could,'' said his mother Clare.
'It was hard. You want to wrap him up in cotton wool, but we also knew the only way forward was to be mentally engaged.
And being a sporting boy, we needed to follow his natural inclination (of being involved in sport).
'He loved the water as a baby. I think he swam before he walked,'' Clare recalled.
'He loves a challenge and he took it.''
Bishop's love of the water came from his time in coastal Gove, the Northern Territory, when his father was working in the mines. 'It was amazing fishing,'' Bishop recalled.
From there the family moved to PNG where Bishop's love affair with the water continued.
So when he was looking to resume a sporting life following his accident, it was only natural that this water baby hit the pool.
Bishop, who attended St Bernard's Primary School and then Clairvaux MacKillop College, trains under Josh Smith at Rackley Swimming Hibiscus. Last week his progression continued when he made the world championship squad headed to Singapore in September.
Bishop is a part of the Paralympics Australia's Imagine Education Program which educates students about the Paralympic movement, the Games and Para sports.
Paralympians like Bishop from the Queensland Academy of Sport visit primary schools to help break down stigma around disability.
Currently, only 25 percent of people with a disability participate in sport and Bishop would like to help that to change.
Having once looked up to Olympians and paralympians, Bishop is now one of those young men educating the youth of today about disability in sport.
'I hope to inspire the future generation,'' Bishop said.
'When I was in primary school (at St Bernard's School) and a Paralympian had visited, that would have been pretty special. And now I do that. It is an honour to be able to give back.''
For Bishop, he is only in the middle of his sporting dream. It all started in that Somerville House pool when he entered the water from a wheelchair 10 years ago, it continued in Paris at the Games, and it could end in Brisbane at the 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
'I feel like I am just getting started. Brisbane (2032) is coming up on the horizon so I want to stay around for that.''
Bishop dares to dream because he knows dreams do come true. After all, he is alive, isn't he, he can walk and he can swim - very, very well.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
8 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Peter V'landys flags major change to State of Origin eligibility rules
Rugby league supremo Peter V'landys has revealed the ARL Commission are considering a landmark change to State of Origin eligibility rules in a bid to reduce the impact on New Zealand and England's national teams. Under the current rules, players who are eligible for tier-one nations New Zealand and England effectively have to choose whether they want to play internationals against Australia or play Origin. But players eligible for tier-two nations such as Tonga and Samoa, are eligible to play for New South Wales or Queensland. NSW Blues stars Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai have all pledged to play for Samoa at this year's Pacific Championships. Rising Canberra Raiders star Kaeo Weekes was the latest big name to make the decision, committing to a representative career with Australia and the NSW Blues after reportedly rejecting an approach to play for the Kiwis. Dolphins young gun Isaiya Katoa also previously opted to play for Tonga over New Zealand in order to keep his Origin hopes alive in the future. But that could all change as the ARL Commission reviews a potential change to eligibility. 'It is something we're going to have to look at again and to me there does seem to be a stronger push this time for change,' V'landys told SMH. 'It is a strong argument that if you've played your footy in Australia before the age of 13 and you are eligible to play Origin, why shouldn't you be able to? 'If we were to change the rules, it would only be for New Zealand and English players. 'They're the tier-one countries impacted. [Players from] tier-two nations like Samoa and Tonga can still play State of Origin and represent those nations. 'It's a polarising idea. When we've consulted on any possible Origin eligibility changes some people have loved it, others hated it. 'We want a strong international game and calendar, and we want Australia to be challenged. And we want to respect the players and the nations they want to play for, and the argument for change is one we'll consider. 'It wouldn't be open slather – it would be mostly New Zealand players, and any change would be considered to ensure they're not left behind.' Under the potential changes, Kalyn Ponga could play for the Kiwis and Queensland, while Victor Radley would be free to represent England and NSW. That is the only change under consideration, and players would still need to have lived in NSW or Queensland before 13 to qualify for Origin. According to NZRL chief Greg Peters, 11 players in this year's Origin squads are eligible for the Kiwis. Peters welcomed the potential changes, highlighting Ponga as the perfect example. 'A guy like Kalyn Ponga is a good example. He's a proud Maori, proud New Zealander and a proud Queenslander. But at the moment he doesn't have the ability to play for New Zealand should he chose to. He's a really good example,' he said. 'The other one is Jarome Luai. Who knows, Jarome Luai might probably want to play for Samoa, and good on him for doing so. 'But he played Junior Kiwis and the point is that his pathway to the Kiwis was shut down the moment he was selected to play Origin. 'Samoa is going to have a team stacked full of Origin players, which is great for the game, but it's not available to us. We strongly support a review of these rules.'
7NEWS
10 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Champion swimmer Alexa Leary transforms herself for new music career
Australian swimming champion Alexa Leary has been transformed into a popstar. After lighting up the Paralympic pool in Paris with world records, two gold medals, and a silver, Leary has now changed her name and released her debut single. The change of the name is subtle (Lex Leary), but the transformation certainly is not. Complete with a photo of her new popstar look, Leary announced on social media that the single Closer, which also features vocals from Sydney singer XIRA, was 'finally out in the world'. 'This moment is so special to me — it's the start of something I've dreamed about for so long,' Leary said on Instagram. 'From loving dance music, to learning in the studio between training sessions — shoutout to wongo music — to now releasing my first song … this is a dream come true.' She called the new song 'an absolute baddie' and was excited for people to hear it. The national hero also revealed that dance music had been (and still is) a 'huge part' of her recovery. Leary almost died in a devastating accident in 2021. She fell off her bike and was left with brain damage and several long-term injuries. More than once, doctors informed her parents, Russ and Belinda, that they should prepare to say goodbye to their daughter. Searching for answers and hope, Leary's parents turned to a clairvoyant who predicted that the swimmer would rise to become a Paralympic gold medallist .... and that she did. After her record-breaking gold medal swim in the 100m freestyle (S9) in Paris (she set a world record twice in 24 hours), the story of the fortune teller's prediction from three years earlier was re-told. 'It is actually so amazing the fact that when I was in ICU, my dad got a fortune teller,' she said at the time. 'The fortune teller read that I wanted to go to the Paralympics, and now I'm here, I'm like 'wow, I did it'.' Leary said she was 'obsessed' by dance music and it was the 'soundtrack to happiness' and kept her 'pushing on'. 'I have a lot of ideas in my head about dance music,' she said. 'So when I'm not training or doing OT (occupational therapy), I've been creating music with the support of some new friends.' She said: 'My second life is full of opportunity, not letting disability limit me.' When Leary became a national hero, Australian DJ and music producer Fisher congratulated her via video. 'Alexa, you absolute legend,' Fisher said. 'Congrats on breaking that world record. We love ya. You're such an inspiration.' Meanwhile Leary busted out some moves on the podium. 'He's one amazing person and I've always got my headphones in, he upbeats me every single day,' she said of Fisher at the time. 'The best song he plays is World Hold On. 'It gets me going. It gets me in race mode every single time and I don't know, what it is about his music, but he gets me in this rhythm to just go smash it in the water.'
West Australian
10 hours ago
- West Australian
MITCHELL JOHNSON: Ben Stokes' warning to India about sledging should not scare Australia ahead of Ashes
There's noise coming out of England again. Apparently, they've decided that sledging is back in fashion. Harry Brook reckons it's fun not being 'nice guys' anymore. Ben Stokes is warning opponents — especially India — that if they dish it out, England will return fire. Good on them. But here's a bit of advice: be careful what you wish for. Ashes series are about mental edge, sure. There's always been chatter, always will be. But sledging without substance is like bowling bouncers with no pace — the batter just laughs at it. Right now, England sound like they're trying to sound intimidating rather than being intimidating. Let's not pretend Australia are choirboys. I had plenty to say when I played — and copped plenty back. But that came with purpose. Sledging only works when you're dominating. And to be honest, right now England aren't. They haven't won an Ashes series since in Australia since 2010-11. They still don't know what their best top six is. Their Bazball model has some punch, but it's flimsy when conditions swing or spin. So maybe talking tough is a cover. A bit of theatre while they figure out the actual cricket. Here's what England need to remember: the Ashes aren't won at press conferences. They're won in the heat. When the new ball is jagging around at the Gabba. When a Mitchell Starc inswinger nips past your front pad before you've even had a look. When a bloke like Josh Hazlewood bowls 25 overs on the same spot and you can't breathe. That's when the real battle starts, not in the media, not on social clips, but in those moments when the scoreboard pressure builds and the crowd is roaring. I actually love this from an Aussie point of view. Let England yap. Let them tell the world how hard they're going to be. All it does is give the Australians more fire. Trust me — if you try to poke the bear on our home turf, you'd better have the game to back it up. Because when the words dry up — and they will — it's all about execution. That's where Australia are so strong. Bowlers who do the job no matter the surface. Batters who absorb pressure and make you suffer. Fielders who don't give you an inch. That's real toughness. If England think sledging will rattle this Aussie side, they're living in dreamland. This is a team full of veterans who've seen it all — and young players who grew up in these conditions. You don't need to get personal. You just need to perform. In fact, the most painful thing you can do to a team that's chirping is shut them up with cricket. Silence is the loudest response there is. While Australia might be at their most vulnerable in years with this current batting line-up — a few question marks at the top, the middle still rebuilding — they're still incredibly hard to beat at home. Always have been. Conditions, crowds, our bowlers — they all make life hell for touring teams. Especially ones coming in swinging wildly with the bat and the tongue. Let's not forget what happened last time England came down under. All the chat, all the optimism, then bowled out for 147 in the first innings of the first Test and for just 68 in the Boxing Day Test a couple of weeks later. That was the sound of reality setting in. And no amount of sledging helped them then. I'm not saying Australia are immune to pressure. They're not. This Ashes series could be tight — maybe even a real scrap. But if England think mouthing off is the key to getting on top of us, they've already lost focus. So to England, I say: bring your best. Talk your talk. But when that first ball is bowled in Perth in November, you'll find out quickly what's real and what's just noise. Because in the Ashes, only one thing matters — and it's not the volume.
