Nine year old Kourney Rimmer who raised money for NT Autism is Australian of the Day
KOURTNEY Rimmer has simple advice for children like him. ‘Autism isn’t scary so people don’t have to feel worried or frightened if they have it.‘
NORTHERN Territory schoolboy Kourtney Rimmer has a simple message or encouragement for other Aussie children like him.
“Autism isn’t scary so people don’t have to feel worried or frightened if they have it,” says the bright and confident nine-year-old from outer Darwin.
“I don’t want kids with autism to worry that they can’t have friends, or do great stuff and things like that!”
So committed is Kourtney to breaking down barriers and raising awareness around the condition that affects him and his little brother Cyrus that last year he walked, ran and cycled 100km as part of the Run4Autism challenge.
“We raised $4300 for Autism NT,” beams the Year 4 student. “And I showed that kids with autism are just like everyone else — it’s just that we have a unique type of brain. But everyone’s brain is different to everyone else’s so that’s OK.”
And today’s Australian of the Day hasn’t stopped there. Earlier this year he asked everyone at his school to wear blue for one day to celebrate autism.
“I stood up on the stage and read what autism meant and how it’s not scary for other people,” he says. “Once I explained it to other kids they understood so that was really good.”
He has also spoken at a forum on autism and given interviews on radio. But although he’s a committed advocate, Kourtney still makes time to enjoy the simpler things in life.
“Like Pokemon,” he says. “I want to get all the Pokemon games and complete them because I’m really into Pokemon!”
He’s also thinking about completing the 2017 Run4Autism challenge.
“Next year with my little brother Cyrus we might work together to do another 100km,” he says. “Maybe 200km!”
CommBank has partnered with News Corp Australia to champion the Australian of the Day initiative which celebrates people in our neighbourhoods and communities who really make a difference to how we live and who we are.
You can read all their stories at australianoftheday.com.au, where you can also nominate someone you know.
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