'I am so proud of him': Swimmer with autism wins 2 medals at Canada Games

Ron Canneyremembers being told his son Jesse, diagnosed with severe autism before he was two years old, wouldn't amount to much.

But the 21-year-old New Brunswick swimmer has been proving them wrong.

Jesse Canneywon two medals in para-swimmingat the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg on Wednesday.

The first was a bronze medal in the 100-metre backstroke, the second was a silver medalin the 100-metre butterfly.

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"To see him working and being at these games, it's terrific," saidRon Canney,holding back tears.

"Just because your child has autism, don't sell them short."

My nerves were fried, Idon't know if they'll ever recover.-Pamela Moxon, Jesse's mom

The father of three wasn't able to join Jesse in Winnipeg, so he live streamed the races on his computer in Durham Bridge,surrounded by friends and family.

"There was a lot of clapping and yelling at the screen," Canneysaid from his home.

Jesse is taking part in seven events and has three races and some tough competition still to go.

His mom, PamelaMoxon, was at the two raceswhen he medalled. She watched as her son stood, arms folded,concentrating onthe pool before the start of each event.

"My nerves were fried, Idon't know if they'll ever recover," she said. "I knew he had a medal shot yesterday and that's even more nerve-racking."

This is the competitive swimmer'ssecond Canada Summer Games. The first was in Sherbrooke in 2013.

Part of the team

When Jesse was growing up, his parentswanted him to get out of his comfort zone.

So the athlete, who lived with his family near a fish pond by the Nashwaak River, started taking private swimming lessons when he was six.

"He just sort of really excelled at it," said Ron.

From there, Jessetook swimming classes with the Special Olympics New Brunswick but foundhe needed something more challenging.

For the past five years, Jesse has been getting up early to make his 5:45 a.m. swim practice with the Fredericton Aquanauts Swim Team, known as FAST.He trains eight times a week in the water and three timesat the gym.

"Usually, people with autism aren't socialbut it definitely helps him with it," Ron said. "He has great teammates it's definitely helped him make friends and be part of something."

Jesse's swimming coach, MartaBelsh, who is alsothehead coach of FAST and Team New Brunswick's swim team, was on the pool deck watching as the New Brunswick athlete raced.

"I'm super excited for him, he worked so hard and put so much time into this that he really deserves to win not one but two [medals]," said Belsh.

Once the games are finished, Canney hopes his son canjointhe 2020 Summer Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

With more practice and training, Canney has no doubt Jessewillget there.

"I am so proud of him."