He will tell his inspirational life story on Friday December 4 from 10am at Panthers, Port Macquarie. It is a free event.

Elgin was raised in the NSW town of Tocumwal. Being born without the lower portion of his left leg was not a barrier for this boy who would make his first Australian team at 18 years of age.

Don went to the 1994 International Paralympic Committee World Athletic Championships in Berlin, where he won a gold medal as part of the 4x100m relay team. Following this event Don's focus moved from the sprint events to the

Pentathlon - five events: long jump, shot put, 100m, discus and 400m.

Don held a Victorian Institute of Sport Scholarship for 12 years. He competed in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games where he won bronze in the Pentathlon. Don continued to train towards his ultimate goal of being number one in the world, in the below knee amputee Pentathlon. He moved a step closer to his goal when he finished with a Silver medal at the 2002 IPC World Athletic Championships.

In 2004 Don became a triple Paralympic medallist with one silver medal in the 4x400m relay and two bronze medals one in the Pentathlon and one in the 4 100 at the Athens Paralympic Games.

Known as 'IDPwD', it is a United Nations sanctioned day that is celebrated internationally.

It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disability.

The Australian Government has been supporting IDPwD since 1996 and provides funds to promote and raise awareness of the day around Australia.

Tomorrow, Mayor Peter Besseling, CEO Accessible Arts NSW Sancha Donald, students from Westport High School and Port Macquarie Public School, author and illustrator with a disability Eric Atkins, representatives from Hastings Headway, NewIDAFE, Ability Links and House with No Steps will gather at the library.

They will recognise International Day of People with Disability with a book launch, puppet performance and community art project from 10am at the library on Grant Street.

International Day of People with Disability is recognised annually, and plays an important role in promoting the inclusion of people with disability in the Port Macquarie-Hastings.

Accessible Arts NSW have provided $70,000 funding to develop a program in partnership with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council that will see the launch of a host of projects.

Included is a giant 3.5m Whale Tail Sculpture constructed by NewIDAFE, Ability Links and House with No Steps and Hastings Headway with artist Jo Davidson.

There will also be a launch of illustrated children's book with 24-year-old author Eric Atkins, an illustrator with disability.

There will be a singing performance by puppet in a wheelchair 'Miss Unique' who was developed for children's educational theatre experiences.