Disability 10 Pin Bowling Nationals in Canberra :)

Hi there.

My name is Andrew. I’m 43 and love 10 Pin Bowling.

I was born on the 3rd of November 1980. I was born with too much fluid on the brain, causing my disability and a larger than normal head.

I was adopted at 2 months old. My adoptive parents (dad passed in 2022 and mum is now in a nursing home), were told that I’d never walk, never talk, and wouldn’t live past the age of 18…. Well here I am, 41, walking, talking (some say a little too much) and living.

My disabilities include, Autism, slight speech impediment, mobility issues, epilepsy, and am legally blind. Even though I can see, my eyes can’t focus together as they look in slightly different directions. When I need clearly see something, I turn my head so that one eye can focus on that item. I even do this slightly when I bowl, just to make the pins clearer.

I enjoy a lot of things, from 10 Pin Bowling, swimming, going for a drive with my housemates, to listening to the radio and playing with marbles. I like the sound they make when they tumble around in the ice cream container. I can spend hours listening to them.

My Favourite food is pizza and I enjoy snake lollies.

I have been bowling since the early 2000’s. I have a unique bowling style, and if you didn’t know how I bowl and you were standing behind me, you’d think I would let go of the 16 pound ball behind me.

My average when I started bowling was around 84, now in 2024 its 134.

Ben takes me to bowling every Saturday morning, where the Southern Strikers League bowls. My team called “Mean Machine” consists of 3 payers, myself, Greg and Sarah, all who have different disabilities. For every strike I get, I receive a reward of a snake lolly. Ben always makes sure he has plenty in case I have great games.

In June, I am hoping to attend the Disability 10 Pin Bowling Nationals in Canberra. My brother Ben, who looks after me on the weekends and takes me to bowling every Saturday, will be driving me over there and supporting me for the 10 days. He is taking time off work for this. Being self-employed, he drives for Doordash and Uber Eats, he won’t receive any income, or any assistance from the government, but this is not what I am here for.

The NDIS will only pay for my bowling fees of $252 for the Nationals and will not cover any travel or accommodation expenses. I am on a Disability Support Pension, and living in a communal house in Hallett Cove with other people like myself.

I try and go to the Nationals every year, but since my dad passed away in 2022 and Mum is now in a nursing home, it has been Ben’s sole responsibility to try and get me there. Luckily, the 2023 Nationals were in my home state and at my local Bowling Centre, Noarlunga.

This trip, as with everything these days, will probably be quite expensive. Accommodation alone is going to be well over $1000.

I am just asking for a little help, if possible, for me to attend this tournament. I know this is a big ask but I thank you in advance.

Yours with a Big Smile,

Andrew Bernhardt

(Obviously Ben wrote this for me)

https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8576443/bowling-excellence-andrews-journey-to-the-national-championship/