NICHOLAS RAYMOND SINCLAIR

The Sinclair family gathered for an Easter picnic at Sugarloaf Reservoir in the days when their son Nicholas could still get about without the aid of a wheelchair.

Nicholas, who had muscular dystrophy, was able to walk a little, but certainly could not manage a bike.

The picnic was at the top of a steep hill, so Nicholas gave his parents a big fright when he swept past them on his cousin’s bike.

He realised he was in real trouble — he had absolutely no control over where he was going — but was saved by some quick-thinking uncles, averting an abrupt end to the picnic and trip to the hospital.

It was another instance of how Nicholas Sinclair refused to allow the disease that eventually took his life get in the way of living.

The second child of Rosalie and Rob, he was aged 18 months when doctors diagnosed his disease.

His parents knew that Nicholas and his brother, Justin, had limited lifespans and were determined that their sons would live those in as full a way as possible.

It was never difficult to buy things for Nicholas’s birthday because he had so many interests.

He was keen on dinosaurs for quite some time, and spoke about becoming a museum curator. The he developed an interest in the cosmos, and wanted to become an astronaut.

He was passionate about sport and his beloved Carlton Football Club.

When he began participating in wheelchair sports — especially hockey and soccer — he was renowned among teammates and opposition alike as a fearless competitor.

Nicholas was an avid reader, and had a vast and varied musical collection.

He was an animal lover, and had a particular fondness for whales.

His dog, Simba, would often hitch a ride on the foot of his wheelchair.

Nicholas was an active member of the Disabled Scouts and travelled to several jamborees in Australia and overseas.

When his brother — and best mate — Justin died in 1996, Nicholas had to face the inevitability of his own death, but he refused to give up the fight.

He was devastated, but he seemed to develop an inner strength.

He reached out to more people and focused on his goals.

Even though muscular dystrophy was to claim his life, it would never steal his dreams.

He dreamed as though he would live forever.

He achieved his dream of studying professional writing at RMIT, although he was never able to fulfil his ambition of writing children’s literature.

He also achieved his dream of being selected for Victoria for the Wheelchair Games in Adelaide.

Those close to Nicholas will cherish the memories of his last few months.

The extended family shared Christmas Day in 1998.

It was a hot day, and the older kids indulged in water fights for most of the day.

While he was unable to actively participate, he enjoyed watching the fun, and would have been in the thick of the action if he could.

But it was at the family’s Easter Sunday picnic this year that they would all be together with Nicholas for the last time.

In delivering Nicholas’s eulogy, his aunt, Loretta Roberts, read a verse that was a fitting epitaph to Nicholas.

"It’s not the size of the man in the fight that matters. It’s the size of the fight in the man."