In the deep end
Volume 11, No. 58, December 14, 2006
By WO2 Graham McBean

In the swim: Pte Stephen Osborne has proved a force in disabled swimming and has hopes of competing at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. Photo by WO2 Graham McBean

WHEN Pte Stephen Osborne lost his leg to a motorcycle accident in 2003 he not only had to rebuild his body, but also his life.

He had used 36 units of blood, his right leg had been crushed, he had broken his collarbone and had received massive head injuries.

He faced a choice of either sink or swim, and he chose the latter – literally. Three years after the accident that almost killed him, his journey to recovery has led to a swimming career that could take him to the 2008 Paralympic Games.

As Army went to print, Pte Osborne was competing in the 50m and 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly at the Durban International Paralympics Committee World Swimming Championships. He has aspirations of competing at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and, if his octane-fuelled determination is anything to go by, he has an excellent chance of success.

At the time of the accident, he was a driver with 3CSSB, but he has since transferred to 25/49RQR as a pay clerk.

A competitive swimmer before joining the Army, he had trained with such luminaries as Ian Thorpe and Phil Bryant in Sydney.

He was only tempted back into the pool after he decided to become a blood donor to give something back to the medical system that had saved his life. It was then that he met Bruce Muller from the Townsville Blood Bank. Mr Muller, a keen swimmer, kept encouraging him to resume swimming.

Pte Osborne contested the trials for the Commonwealth Games in January, but found he still lacked the required strength and fitness level. Now under Queensland coach Matt McCahon, the 10 months since the trails have raised his fitness level, which has meant success in the pool.

“Before the accident I would never get out of my comfort zone and I was scared to change my lifestyle too much – after the accident I had no choice,” he said.

His first challenge was to remain in the Army after his release from hospital.

“I enjoy Army life but I knew the big problem would be the physical element,” he said. “So I started to work on getting my fitness level up and making sure that I could make the requirements like the BFA, CFA and military skills that have to be done every year.”

A milestone came when 3CSSB conducted its obstacle course competition in preparation for the 3 Bde Military Skills Competition in 2005.

Pte Osborne had been asked to attend the competition as a referee and to support the team, but when he arrived he found that he was to be part of the team.

“I said to the blokes that I was going to be off as soon as the gun went off – because I didn’t want to be last. By the time I had finished I was still first home from the battalion and the second home from 3CSSB was 80m behind me.”

It’s been a long journey, but his favourite saying these days is: “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you can’t do.”