Oliver Bettendorf
I am WARRIOR OLIVER BETTENDORF
I am 16 years old. A happy and content teenager exploring the world in as many different ways as possible to me.
I was born prematurely and was diagnosed with Cerebral palsy at 15 months. I am unable to walk independently and am non- verbal, but my hands flap and my eyes shine when I am excited and having fun.
My life has been much like a bicycle adventure since birth. From the start I have been a fighter, I have had to train hard, endure pain, pressure and obstacles. Many body parts needed fixing and repair, but through determination, perseverance and many hours of practice building up strength, endurance and resistance, I have reached many milestones at my pace. I struggled up hills and dropped down into valleys, taking corners slowly at times and getting up when I fell. There have been challenges, even on the flats, but I am brave and courageous and I will continue to pedal hard and will humbly and happily accept whatever life throws at me.
I love having a challenge, fun, sports and adventure and I want to continue to have an active lifestyle. Both my parents were cyclists and runners (sadly my dad , Arnold passed away when I was only 5 years old)Since birth they took me on runs in my pram/wheelchair and I had my own special bicycles. My mum Gilly ran half marathons (Riebeck Kasteel, Safari half etc.) with me and in 2014 we got special permission to run the TWO OCEANS HALF MARATHON (2hours 8 minutes ) Being well trained and dedicated has helped us achieve amazing things. My mama and I are a great team.
In 2018 my mama Gilly and I joined the WARRIOR ON WHEELS FOUNDATION and we have experienced so many wonderful adventures with other WARRIORS, their families, superheroes, buggy riders, support runners, spectators and sponsors. The support and love we have received has been incredible. WOW is OUR FAMILY.THIS IS WHERE WE BELONG…… WHERE WE FEEL AT HOME…. Here we are with people who understand, experience the same challenges and difficulties, similar ups and downs and we treasure and celebrate every achievement big or small. We are with people who care, who give of themselves, their time, strength and energy and we are surrounded by positive vibes. We have received opportunities which we would not have managed on our own.
We went to seal island on a BOAT, Had a trip in a SIDE CAR, Had a wonderful stay at ROCHERPAN, Had monkeys climb all over us at WORLD OF BIRDS, Experienced the CABLE CAR and saw Cape Town from the TOP OF TABLE MOUNTAIN, We participated in the biggest timed 109 km CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR twice. (2019/2020) (with super strong Etjienne Wilsnagh. I had to sit in a cycling buggy for about 5 hours and hold on for dear life because Etjienne was riding sooooooo fast, especially down Chapmans peak. Mama was slower but has pulled me in a buggy with her E bike on the 42 km CYCLE TOUR ROUTE (2022) We participated in many RUNS. TRAINING CYCLES to Melkbosstrand and various RUNS were becoming part of our routine. The PEACE RUN with Schalke, JJ, Deidre, Damian being one of our first runs in WOW kit. Another memorable run was the PENINSULA HALF MARATHON with Taariq. The BAY TO BAY 15 km was a serious effort, after a long holiday in Namibia, but we were seen and MOTIVATED and INSPIRED OTHERS e.g Tania .Then the running bug seriously hit us again and we wanted to go bigger, better, longer and stronger, so we signed up for the CAPE TOWN MARATHON (2023) with Kyle Nidrie and we RAISED A LOT OF MONEY for the Warrior on wheels foundation. Our friends and family were in awe at what we were able to achieve and they easily donated to a cause that was so close to our heart and desire. Before we knew it the year had flown by and the 2024 CAPE TOWN MARATHON (42 km) was upon us again. Mama decided that VISIBILITY and AWARENESS was our AIM FOR THE YEAR………to create a SEA OF BLUE we needed to recruit as many willing SUPPORT RUNNERS……. And with Travis, Matthew, Taariq, Herman, Erik, Gilly and myself (7) an AWSOME TEAM OLIVER was created. We achieved so much on that day. An awesome FAST TIME 4 hours 30minutes , we learnt and taught others about INCLUSION, ACCEPTANCE , TOLERANCE, PATIENCE, MOTIVATION , STAMINA , SHARING , CARING, KINDNESS, MAGIC, we SPREAD HOPE, PRIDE, TEAM EFFORT , ENCOURAGEMENT and our TEAM CERTAINLY RAN WITH A FULL AND HAPPY HEART. We felt good INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. Team Oliver had started something ‘new’ in the running community…… IF YOU CAN DO IT…..then so CAN WE. (ABLE AND DISABLED )
My Blue ‘Space van’ is very big and visible. It has been seen on the BAY2BAY 30 km, FIRGROVE CHALLENGE, the BIG MAMA IN DURBANVILLE, the PENINSULA MARATHON and various long training runs, because more friends (Caroline, Joe, Tania N and Tania B) dedicated and committed themselves to something even bigger…… THE TWO OCEANS ULTRA MARATHON (56km) 2025. My mama did not think that this was possible, but crossing the FINISH LINE brought a TON OF EMOTION. TEARS of JOY, EXHAUSTION and PRIDE as we crossed the line in 6 hours 27 minutes and received our wonderful big medals. With 6 of us running the distance TOGETHER from BEGINNING TO THE END.
This is what WOW IS ABOUT …… We stick TOGETHER through the fun, laughter, achievements, adventures and the pain, loss and sadness. We are here for each other to love, to care and to share in ALL the moments. Our phones are all FULL of PHOTOS as memories are being made and shared .
I am a very proud WARRIOR AND AMBASSADOR for WOW. I am STRONG, BRAVE, have HOPE, COURAGE and ADVENTURE and LIVING AND LOVING LIFE DIFFERENTLY ABLED.
THANK YOU WOW FOR What you have done for ME (OLIVER) and my MAMA (GILLY)
And I had once written to Santa and asked him for
A BAG OF HOPE
A BOX OF COURAGE
A PILE OF ADVENTURE
A TON OF STRENGTH
A DOLLOP OF FUN AND HAPPINESS
A SPRINKLE OF EXCELLENT HEALTH
A HANDFUL OF LOVE, CARE, KINDNESS, RESPECT
FOR MYSELF, MY MAMA ,ALL MY FRIENDS, FAMILIES, SUPERHUMANS AND DONORS OF THE WARRIOR ON WHEELS FOUNDATION WHO ARE LIVING AND LOVING LIFE DIFFERENTLY-ABLED
(I believe I was granted and received this gift, but continue to wish that you all receive the same)
HIGH FIVE YOUR WARRIOR OLIVER