With help from Crows players, Koa Fahey’s siblings are tackling decades of societal bias head on | Jess Adamson
With some help from Crows stars and through their young and innocent eyes, six-year-old Koa’s siblings are tackling decades of societal bias head on, writes Jess Adamson.
SA News
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At 3 o’clock on Monday afternoon the shed floor at the Adelaide Football Club was pumping.
New captain Jordan Dawson was up and about as the boys completed one of their final gym sessions ahead of Friday night’s season-launching internal trial game.
But amid the muscle, the laughter and the blaring music, the club received three very special visitors.
You may remember them from a story in The Advertiser back in 2021.
Reef Fahey, 14, and his 11-year-old sister Mahala are on a mission to change the way we treat people living with disability.
Their little brother Koa has Down syndrome.
Koa, 6, loves footy, basketball, LeBron James and riding his motorbike. His favourite animal is a sheep, and he loves the Crows. Key defender Tom Doedee is his favourite player.
Koa adores his schoolmates Axel and Ben, along with little Daisy who helps him unpack his snacks each day and holds his hand when he needs some reassurance.
He’s funny, kind and very cheeky. When Reef found himself locked in the family’s shed last week his parents checked the security camera only to discover Koa had gleefully bolted it before dashing off.
To Reef and Mahala, Koa is no different to any other child.
But they’ve seen the looks and stares their brother gets. They’ve seen mothers at the park usher their children away from him. And they’ve heard people use the six letter “R” word.
“I’ve heard it used a lot and it makes me feel pretty upset,” Mahala says.
Last year Reef set a goal of skiing 213km along the Murray, the distance symbolising the 21st chromosome with three copies instead of two, in a bid to raise awareness about children like Koa.
He’d never skied before but smashed his goal, eventually clocking up 442km.
Now, ahead of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, the pair are making two short films which they hope will be shown in every South Australian primary school, highlighting just how normal it is to have a sibling with Trisomy 21.
“We want to show people that Down syndrome is not that different and it’s not scary,” Reef says.
Enter the Adelaide Crows Foundation. When Reef and Mahala reached out to the club for some star power, they were stunned by the response.
Not one, but three players stepped forward to be part of their campaign, sharing their deeply personal and positive experiences with friends and family members who have Down syndrome.
Rory Sloane, Tom Doedee and Taylor Walker say their lives are richer because of a person they know and love with T21.
Tom and his partner Emily Brugman are passionate about what Reef and Mahala have embarked on.
Emily’s 22-year-old sister Maggie has Down syndrome and she brings them nothing but joy.
“She’s been a ray of sunshine since the day she came into my life around 10 years ago,” Tom says.
“Her positivity, love for life and ability to make you smile regardless of how your day’s been make her incredibly special.
“You could have the worst day ever, you call her on the way home and she senses something’s wrong. She senses when I’m down after an injury, she just brightens your day no matter what and I think it’s the most powerful thing. I wish everyone could have a Maggie in their life.”
Emily was three when Maggie was born.
“I wish everyone was as lucky and privileged as I am to experience having a sibling in their family with Down syndrome. She is the light of my life, she is so happy and bubbly and would never have a bad word to say about anyone – it’s truly special,” Emily says.
Sloane says one of the best people he’s ever met has Down syndrome. It’s wife Belinda’s cousin, Jimmy, an adored member of their wider family.
“Jimmy’s the sort of person everyone wants to be around,” he says.
“He’s the greatest dude of all time, the life of the party, always the first one on the dance floor and always having a great time.
“People with Down syndrome should be treated like everyone else. They’re just a human being that happens to be happier than everyone else.”
Walker’s friendship with club identity Jacob ‘Legend’ Milbank is magical. They’ve been tight for more than a decade, ever since Jacob began his dream job of football services assistant at the Crows.
The club’s unofficial chief motivation officer, Jacob’s always keen to offer advice before a game.
“Jacob and I have been good mates for a long time, he brings a lot of joy to everyone. He’s been one of our greatest supporters and he always comes in with a smile,” Tex says.
“He tells me he’s a legend of the footy club and if he wasn’t here the club probably wouldn’t turn.”
Their bond is something to behold.
“Here’s my main man,” Jacob proudly announces as Tex arrives to meet little Koa and his family.
“My favourite player is Tex. I run the club and we’re going to win this year,” he says.
I really hope you’re right, Jacob.
The Crows Foundation has set the bar high but they’re not the only ones getting behind Reef and Mahala.
Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield is on board. Who could forget the scenes after last year’s grand final when the Cats’ “water boy” Sam Moorfort was hoisted onto the MCG by Joel Selwood? I’ve watched it over and over again. The look on his face as he realises he’s part of the glory – it was a moment even Swans fans couldn’t turn away from. That’s the power of sport.
Seven Sunrise presenter Mark Beretta is supporting Reef and Mahala’s campaign – so too, freestyle motocross rider and world record holder Robbie Maddison and son Cruz, and Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne and brother Stevie.
“I just wrote on Instagram “Hi Michelle, I know it’s a big ask but me and my brother are making a video. We want to help create awareness for our little brother who has Down syndrome and it would be amazing if you could please be in it,” Mahala says.
“She messaged straight back saying she’d love to be part of it.”
It wasn’t all that long ago that Down syndrome children were shunned by society and treated as objects of charity. Thankfully their loved ones now share many of the hopes and dreams that others have.
What Reef and Mahala are doing is so powerful. Through their young and innocent eyes, they’re tackling decades of societal bias head on and together, they’re an unstoppable force. Their videos are just the beginning.
They’re showing others that as a community we need to be kinder and more inclusive, allowing people with Down syndrome to make their own choices and have the same opportunities as everyone else.
As the music faded on Monday, filming began to wrap up and the players peeled off, Jacob quietly took little Koa by the hand and guided him around the Crows’ Shed.
They were both shy at first but soon returned as firm friends. A moment of wonder and happiness for them both.
They are the stars of this campaign and I have a feeling they’re going to enjoy it.
Jess Adamson is a voluntary director of the Adelaide Crows Foundation. Follow Reef and Mahala on Instagram t21.life
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