Esther Overton

Seventeen year old Esther Overton represented Australia for the first time at the World Championships in Durban in 2006. Training with coach Samantha Bloder in Melbourne, Esther’s best event is the 50m backstroke, which she currently holds an Australian record for as well as Australian records in the S3 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle,100m backstroke and 50m butterfly.

Esther was born with a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, which affects her from the neck down. All of her joints are fixed meaning her bones break easily which has caused her to break her arms more than 40 times.

Esther needs full assistance with everyday activities; however she refuses to let her disability prevent her from achieving her goals, including her dream of representing Australia at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.