THE odds were stacked against him since he was born but Reece Smith, co-founder of Wheels on Waves and his own platform, Rolling with Reece, maintains a positive outlook on life, and a proactive approach to helping others with disabilities experience all the good the world and Amanzimtoti have to offer.

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Smith shared how his story began, “I was born with arthrogryposis, which translates from Greek to the ‘curving of the joints’. Due to stiff joints, my range of motion is severely limited. My mum did not have enough amniotic fluid when she was pregnant with me and I was a month and a half premature. My arms and legs were twisted and the doctors had to straighten out my limbs before I was placed in an incubator, which I had to stay in for a month. Doctors said I had a 50/50 chance to live. Throughout my early childhood, I had about seven operations. One was on my stomach as there was an issue with my umbilical cord. The ones on my legs, ankles and thighs were to try and restore partial function to my limbs so I could sit by myself. Doctors were hoping I could stand by myself, which is why my limbs did not get amputated. I do have some leg function as I can still move around with my legs at least a little. It’s a rare condition and although most people that have it develop mental issues, I was thankfully spared of it, and I have been extremely blessed in that regard.”

He is able to live a long and healthy life and even eventually have children.

“Independently, I can use my phone or laptop. I can roll when lying down and lie down on the beach, letting waves crash over me. I cannot feed myself, go to the bathroom myself, change myself or bathe myself. I have realised that despite my disability, if I live life to the fullest, I can achieve anything I put my mind to,” said Smith.

Despite his disabilities, Smith’s zest for life is unmatched. He can regularly be found at the Amanzimtoti Main beach, where he sells biltong and chats to friends and passersby, sometimes catching waves on a floatable wheelchair with the help of his father, Wesley Smith.

Smith turned 19 on May 8 and his grandparents, Kevin and Sandy Smith, whisked him away to a restaurant. The next day, he got to live out his lifelong dream of being a sports commentator, though it was just for his dear friend, Storm Schwartz, at the Sharks vs Ospreys rugby match. Schwartz is blind and would ordinarily not be able to attend live sports.

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“I think my commentary style is descriptive play-by-play, and I add a healthy dose of passion when exciting moments occur. I was always passionate about sports and used to love listening to commentators like Peter Drury, always admiring their passion. I really enjoyed commentating for Storm. It was important to me that Storm could follow and understand what was happening throughout the game, whilst still enjoying the atmosphere. Since I can remember, I’d watch all kinds of sports from golf, rugby and cricket, to my favourite, soccer. I have been a Liverpool FC fan ever since. Recently, I developed an interest in MMA ever since Dricus du Plessis came onto the scene and I watch whenever there are fights. I try to keep up where South Africans are doing well. Right now, I am focused on my book, which is about the history of rugby in South Africa, and scouring for an audition to become a sports commentator,” said Smith.

On May 10, he enjoyed a birthday party at his favourite hangout with his loved ones. He said, “It was genuinely one of my favourite birthdays ever.”

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