Her family’s support and her courage to pursue her dreams led to her success despite her disability.

Mere Rodan took up table tennis in 2014 she has never looked back.

She said she has always wanted to be involved in events she read about. Her disability would never cross her mind.

“When I saw myself in a wheelchair it never deterred me from reaching my goals and I’m also still Mere and I could do anything,” Ms Rodan said.

Mrs Rodan said receiving an award from the Ministry of Youth and Sports was the best birthday gift before she turns 50 later this year.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation hosted her at Sukuna Park to celebrate her achievement.

The event also coincided with the 2017 Suva Urban women’s craft show.

Opening the event, Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, Veena Bhatnagar congratulated Mrs Rodan on her achievements.

“Today you can proudly say disability is not inability, you are indeed a role model to all young women with disabilities in our beloved Fiji,” Ms Bhatnagar said.

Mrs Rodan is the first Paralympic from the region to win a gold medal at the Oceania Para Championship in Australia and a gold medal during the New Zealand Tour.

A large crowd turned up with groups like Fiji Association of the Deaf present as well and about 180 women representing 36 women groups residing within the Naboro to Nausori corridor.

Edited by Paula Tuvuki

Feedback:  mere.satakala@fijisun.com.fj