Eleven-year-old Chelsea Tuck has a rare medical condition called tuberous sclerosis.
It makes competing in many sports difficult, but she's found a passion for BMX racing.
The Launceston rider is competing in the Para BMX category at this year's National BMX Championships, being held in Launceston in northern Tasmania this week.
It's the first time the championships have included Para BMX for those with an intellectual impairment, those who are deaf, or fall into the transplant categories.
Chelsea's dad, Michael Tuck, said his daughter's condition caused benign tumours.
"She's got tumours on the brain, down her liver, she's got them on her face, her legs, her back as well," he said.
"It causes her to have learning difficulties, and communication difficulties.
"She's got them on the right side of her brain, which causes speech impairment as well."
The condition has made sporting pursuits a challenge for Chelsea.
"Basically sports with communication is very hard for her, so BMX was a great opportunity," he said.
A family affair
The National BMX Championships are a family affair with Mr Tuck and his son also competing.
"I couldn't pass up the opportunity to jump on a bike with my kid, do a sport with my kids, training nights I go out and do laps with my kids side by side, it's a family thing," he said.
For Chelsea, the fun is just taking part.
"I like the gate the best and riding right over to the finish line," she said.
"I like the jumps."
Her cousin, Casey Richardson, is continuing the family affair and is also competing in the para category.
He has ADHD and autism.
"I started BMX last year, I've gotten really into it this year because I've made a lot of friends," he said.
"Everyone in the Launceston BMX Club just encourages you.
"Even if you're not fast, everyone will accept you."
Big event on the BMX calendar
The event has attracted hundreds of riders from across the country in a range of categories.
Event organiser Luke Madill from Aus Cycling said it featured the nation's best riders.
"To see the numbers that have actually come, even we were surprised but obviously excited," he said.
Mr Madill said the Para BMX categories at this year's event were aimed at making the sport more inclusive.
"BMX is a very technical sport, it's a little bit harder to have that inclusiveness with a para category, but we've done a little bit of homework, we're trying," he said.
"This is the first time, we're going to probably make some mistakes, but if we can start here and build on this each year hopefully we can see it grow and grow.
"It's a family sport, so you've got everyone here from under-8s up to 60-plus, so to have the para category adds to that inclusiveness."
