THERE is no obstacle big enough to stop Tony Gosper from a sport he loves, even being confined to a wheelchair.
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Over the years Mr Gosper has spent many an hour strolling the fairways in Orange enjoying his favourite sport of golf until an aneurysm stopped him in his tracks.
It was in 2007 when the unexpected condition left him a paraplegic.
“I lost my business ... I ended up in Sydney in rehab,” he said.
It was while in rehab and learning to live with his newfound disability that Mr Gosper decided he was not going to let it get in his way.
“The only thing that stops you from doing anything is what’s up here,” Mr Gosper said pointing to his head.
When the Central Western Daily caught up with Mr Gosper at Wentworth Golf Club yesterday he was mid-lesson hitting golf balls.
It was six weeks ago that he purchased an electric chair from Germany that stands him up to play a shot.
Mr Gosper said he contacted the CWD to help show others that a disability should not get in the way of your hopes and dreams.
“I’d like other people to see what’s going on ... you can’t let it get you down,” he said.
“People say you can’t do that and I look at it and say how am I going to do it.”
Wentworth Golf Club pro Todd Iffland said the opportunity to teach Mr Gosper how to play golf from the chair had been a good experience for him.
“There’s many different ways to come and try and play golf, you don’t have to be fully functioning,” he said.
“Once you’re a golfer, you’re always a golfer.”
Mr Gosper said he occasionally had a “down day” but refused to let it get the better of him.
“I say wake up to yourself you silly old fool and then go and do it,” he said.
nadine.morton@fairfaxmedia.com.au
