This time last year, Jamieson Leeson never could have imagined representing Australia at the Paralympics.
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The Dunedoo Central School student was born with spinal muscular atrophy, has never been able to walk and has been in a wheelchair her whole life.
But in June last year, after a school competition in Orange, she took up the Paralympic sport of boccia, and this Sunday she will head to Hong Kong for her international debut at the World Open, followed by the World Cup in South Korea.
At just 16, Jamieson will be the youngest person ever to represent Australia in boccia, similar to the Italian sport of bocce.
She's already a NSW champion in the pairs and the top ranked Australian female, and hopes to attain a high enough world ranking to represent Australia at the 2020 Paralympics in Japan.
"It's really cool to see how far I've come," she said.
"I just think about this time last year, I didn't even really know what the rules were and how to play and now everything's changed.
"Mum and I still laugh about it, how far and how much has changed since last year and now we're going down to Sydney every week for training - it's crazy."
It's been quite a ride for Jamieson as well as her mum Amanda. As her daughter's ramp assistant, it's Amanda's job to select balls and position the ramp according to Jamieson's instructions, to ensure the balls go where she wants them to.
But getting the duo overseas will be no easy feat.
Jamieson won't qualify for any government funding until she attains a world ranking.
Her ramp alone cost $5000, and Amanda drives the pair to Sydney every week to train with Australian coach Ken Halliday.
The trips to Hong Kong and South Korea will cost more than $10,000 each so to help cover the cost, Amanda set up a gofundme page.
While admitting she feels "thoroughly embarrassed" at having to ask for help, Amanda said "without this money, Jam will be unable to compete".
"I always said I'd never do this but I'm having to swallow my pride for Jam," she wrote.
"I have no other option if Jamieson is to achieve her dream of representing her country at the highest level.
"If you could please share our Go Fund Me page, make a donation or have any ideas of sponsorship Jam and I would greatly appreciate it."
On Friday Jamieson gave her first school demonstration of boccia to rapturous applause at St Marys Primary, and said it was "weird seeing all the kids fascinated about the sport that they've probably never even heard of".
She hopes to raise awareness of the sport and urged others to give it a try.
"To be honest, when I went to the school competition last year i didn't really want to go because I hadn't played for so long," she said.
"I wasn't really interested, but I went and look what's happened!
"It's kept me very busy this year because I'm in year 11 so it's been crazy, but meeting new people as well and it's taught me so much."
Jamieson also thanked her mum for her support.
"She's been really good," she said.
"We have our ups and downs with her being my ramp assistant! But for the most part, pretty good."
Go to www.gofundme.com/help-jamieson-achieve-her-boccia-dream to donate.