THE mum of a boy with dwarfism has praised a national athletics competition for opening up a world of opportunity in sports – a field from which her son’s condition would usually exclude him.

Danielle Barr, from Croespenmaen, and her two children – three-year-old Charlie and four-month-old Aimee – all have dwarfism.

She said Charlie, whom she described as “such a confident, happy lad”, sometimes finds it difficult to take part in sports activities.

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Although Charlie is normally outgoing, his mum said activities like sport sometimes made him realise he is smaller than his friends.

“He wouldn’t stand a chance at sports day,” Ms Barr said. “(His classmates)are all a lot faster than him, and he struggles to keep up.”

So when Ms Barr took Charlie to the Dwarf Sports Association UK national games on the weekend, she was delighted to see how happy he was to meet other small children there, like him, and do sports on an “equal playing field”.

South Wales Argus: Charlie, pictured here with mum Danielle, tries his hand at 'new-age curling'. Pictures: courtesy of Danielle BarrCharlie, pictured here with mum Danielle, tries his hand at 'new-age curling'. Pictures: courtesy of Danielle Barr

Not only did Charlie have lots of fun trying out new sports – junior versions of the shot put and discus, as well as indoor ‘new-age curling’ – but he also discovered some hidden sporting talents, picking up two golds and one silver medal.

“He’s been on such a high, showing off his medals to everyone,” Ms Barr said. “I’m really proud of him. I hope one day he can take part (in sports) at school.

“I studied sports at college and even during studies it wasn’t very inclusive.”

Ms Barr said there was a stigma around dwarfism, with some people not considering it to be a real disability. But, she added, there were often health problems associated with the condition.

Charlie has neck instability and will require an operation in the future, she said.

Describing the spirit of the games, which were held at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, Ms Barr said: “It’s an equal playing field, it was absolutely fantastic”.

South Wales Argus: Charlie prepares for a junior discus attempt, which uses a frisbee.Charlie prepares for a junior discus attempt, which uses a frisbee.

There was also an appearance from five-time gold medal winning Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, who herself took part in the Dwarf Sports Association UK games as a youngster and is now a patron of the charity.

“Charlie didn’t know who she was but he had a lot of fun playing with her,” Ms Barr said.