The award for WA is a pilot program to encourage young people aged between 15 and 25 to develop personal skills and get involved in the community.
The 16-year-old has muscular dystrophy and said he was not involved in many activities before the award and learnt there was more out there for him.
‘I’m trying to get enjoyment out of something,’ Liam said.
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READ NOW‘I got a bit bored of doing nothing.
‘There is much more out there I can do than I thought.’
Liam said if his mother Sharon had not encouraged him to do the award he would not have participated.
‘I’m glad she pushed me to do it,’ he said.
Mrs Good said the award had given Liam something to look forward to and make his own.
‘So many people with disabilities don’t get out and the award has shown him that there aren’t any limits,’ she said.
‘The big problem is that people assume they have a mental disability because of the wheelchair.
‘Some people treat them differently and they can get grouped in, so it’s nice there is now a program aimed just at them.’
The award is individual to participants, with emphasis placed on them to create their own award journey that will challenge and push them outside of their comfort zones.
The four categories of the award are skill, physical recreation, volunteering and adventurous journey, which must be completed by June.
Liam said he was involved in remote-controlled car racing, wheelchair rugby, hockey and soccer, and a skate park committee.
He was unsure of his adventurous journey but said it would likely involve a trip to Darwin.
‘I just want more people to do this so it can keep going,’ he said.
Liam said he wanted to go to Tafe to study either computer or game designing.
Muscular Dystrophy WA received funding from the Channel 7 Telethon Trust to support six young people with muscular dystrophy in their completion of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.