From BBC News in the UK:A teenager from south west Scotland is setting off with the Great Britain team in pursuit of a medal at the Down's Syndrome world swimming championships.
Sam Pattinson, 17, of Gretna, (pictured) is one of four Scots participating in the event in Albufeira in Portugal.
He qualified for the GB squad after taking part in trials held in Reading last year.
His mother, Carol, said it was "amazing" to see how well he had done in the sport.
Sam started swimming ten years ago but only entered his first competition in 2006.
Disability development officer Laura Vickers, of Annandale and Eskdale Sports Trust, said he progressed rapidly after that.
"His first major one was the GB Down's Syndrome swimming championships in Reading last year," she said.
"From there he was chosen to be part of the GB squad and it has just progressed from there."It is brilliant to see where he has come from and how he has progressed so quickly in such a short time - he has worked really hard to get there."
Sam's mother said there were a lot of benefits to be drawn from the sport.
"He enjoys meeting people, he is very sociable," she said, "And he enjoys the actual competitions."You have a bit of complaint when you say he has to go to practice but he goes and he does enjoy it."
She added that he was unfazed by taking part in the world championships.
"He takes it in his stride, I don't think he realises the importance of them," she said.
"I think it should be brought to everybody's attention what people with disabilities can achieve at sport and be recognised for it.
"It is quite humbling - the first competition I went to, I was in tears seeing these people reach the end and turn round and look at their team and say: 'I've won!'."
The world championships in Portugal get under way on Saturday with Sam competing in the front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke.
Asked what he enjoys most about the sport, his message is straightforward: "Winning - all the time."
