Bosco Cain, a volunteer coach with Special Olympics, is both a father and a coach to Sis-qo Cain, a non-verbal powerlifter. The father-son duo hail from Nauru, a tiny island country in Micronesia, northeast of Australia. Sis-qo’s early life was imprinted by a critical health crisis that left an indelible mark on both father and son.
When Sis-qo was just eight months old, he contracted meningitis, an infection of the membranes surrounding his brain and spinal cord. His condition was so severe that it left him on the brink of death. “We thought we lost him,” Bosco reflects.
The uncertainty surrounding Sis-qo’s recovery was daunting. Initially the prognosis looked dismal, but the little boy somehow miraculously survived. Nevertheless, the doctors cautioned that there would be long-term health complications, and his condition could lead to other severe impairments such as blindness.
Bosco and Sis-qo traveled to Melbourne for further medical evaluation where he was found to be deaf and prone to fits and seizures, explains Bosco. While the possibility of inserting a cochlear implant, a small, complex electronic device that facilitates hearing, was explored, Bosco eventually decided not to take this up. He explains that he feared the operation would further aggravate his son’s condition given the severity of his seizures. “I knew his brain is fragile so, I didn’t want them to operate on him and put something in him.”
Despite the challenges faced with Sis-qo’s health, Bosco’s focus remained on his son’s progress. Bosco first started volunteering with the Paralympics but eventually transitioned to become a coach with Special Olympics Nauru as the movement was then picking up momentum.
The transition and involvement with Special Olympics marked a new chapter of possibilities for Sis-qo who started participating in sports and competitions, with his debut international competition being held in Fiji.
Bosco shared that his son trained in various sports including running and shot put, and later transitioned to weightlifting. “He’s been doing weightlifting training since 13, then we started competing overseas.”
Sis-qo’s persistence and hard work eventually led to significant sporting achievements. At the Berlin World Games last year, he nabbed four gold medals. These wins were for deadlift, bench press, squat and combined lifts (for deadlift, bench press and squat).. “I’m very, very proud. I’m very happy for him,” Bosco beams.
Along with the medals, participation in Special Olympics has brought Sis-qo a sense of belonging and community. “He loves them (his fellow athletes),” Bosco observes. “He knows that they’re part of him.”
Sis-qo’s victory is especially sweet, especially since Special Olympics Nauru almost did not make it to the World Games last year due to a lack of funding.
Special Olympics Asia Pacific had stepped in with a fundraising initiative to raise funds, successfully raising sufficient funds for a small delegation from Nauru to fly to Berlin to chase their dreams and compete at the World Games.
Bosco also highlights the broader need for community support and involvement for people with intellectual disabilities. “Back home, usually the government provides some funds for housing, some sports equipment and facilities,” he explains. Despite some support, Bosco identifies critical gaps. “The lack of volunteering is an issue,” he says. “There’s not enough people, if I do power training and then, track and field after that, I can’t take up more, there needs to be another coach volunteering to help with other sports.”
Drawing from his experiences at Special Olympics, Bosco hopes for a bright future for Sis-qo. “I hope he will stay in the Special Olympics and continues to enjoy his sport with his friends,” he says. Sis-qo’s future is seen not just in terms of competitive success but also in personal fulfillment.
“He’s been looking forward to his marriage. Hopefully, when we go back, we can raise funds for it,” Bosco adds, reflecting on the next chapter of Sis-qo’s life with hope and anticipation.
To know more, follow @humanraceasia and @soasiapacific.
