During his time at the Eels, Dresler and a number of other players including Brown, Mahoney and Oregon Kaufusi, would devote their free time to Giant Steps – a school for children with Autism.
There Dresler found a purpose greater than rugby league and the roots for his own disability service business were planted.
So in July 2019 Dresler started What Ability, a service designed to provide care and recreational activities for people with a disability, where athletes are recruited as support staff.
“After Giant Steps a few of the boys wanted to work on weekends so I thought ‘why don’t I start a professional, semi professional disability service?’,” Dresler said.
“It’s grown beyond that to include young people in general but we still have NRL players, netballers and Super Rugby players.
“What Ability adds some youthful energy to the disability sector and I think that’s why it has been so popular.
“Within a couple of months we had 50 emails from parents wanting us to look after their kids. Now we have around 100 participants with a disability aged four to 30 with around 112 support staff.”
Former Parramatta Eels player Steve Dresler with kids Owen (L) and Joe. Picture: Toby Zerna
What Ability is one of the more unique offerings in the disability sector and that in part has resulted in its success.
Through his business Dresler has one aim, to help the most vulnerable connect with their communities through something as simple as having fun.
“It’s all about community access. We are about having fun and doing the things that bring them joy,” Dresler said.
“We take the kids swimming, on bush walks, surfing, to events and we even have camps that we conduct.
“We have a wide range of people with disabilities and capabilities, some are non verbal that can’t speak or can’t do a single thing on their own.
“Then we have those that live on their own and can order their own food or go play golf.
“When the kids are having fun we are changing their lives and the lives of their families. We see it every day.
One look at What Ability’s Instagram page backs up Dresler’s claims.
The feed is filled with ear-to-ear smiles of participants and their support staff doing the things the rest of us take for granted.
Eels star Dylan Brown at the beach with a What Ability participant, Luke. Picture: Supplied
One familiar smiling face is that of Brown and participant Luke, who has down syndrome.
The two were pictured having a blast body boarding on the beach only last month.
“That’s Luke, he loved it and that was the most fun I’ve had with a kid. He is always happy,” Brown said.
“There’s also James, he just loves to have fun and he’s one of the kids I’ve worked with most and he’s a joy to be around.”
For Brown, 20, the time he spends with What Ability is a chance for him to “pause” his fast-paced life as an NRL superstar.
“I’m quite young and I jumped into the spotlight and that is sometimes pretty overwhelming,” Brown said.
“So hanging out with these kids is a ‘pause’ on the footy side of life, which takes up every hour of my day.
“It’s not like I leave the footy field and it’s done. You go to a cafe and people recognise you.
“But these kids don’t know who we are but when we hang out we put smiles on each other’s faces.
“We are helping each other out.”
Dresler is planning to take What Ability national in 2021 and is hoping more athletes from all over the country will jump on board.
Brown wants to see more athletes like himself take part in What Ability as its reach grows.
“Just join it, just come and have fun. It doesn’t feel like a job and you won’t regret it,” Brown said.
“The kids will probably bring you more joy than what you bring to them.”
Wallaroos player Lori Cramer with a What Ability participant at the beach. Picture: Supplied
Giants netball player Kristina Manu’a with a What Ability participant. Picture: Supplied.
ABOUT WHAT ABILITY
What Ability – happiness comes first
VISION
To bring happiness to people living with a disability
MISSION
Through community experience we will bring a smile to participants, enriching they‘re lives and unleashing they’re potential.
VALUES
Passion – to create a inclusive world through youthful energy
Empower – participants to try new things and staff to excel at they‘re jobs
Empathy – in every Interaction with every person
Respect – individuals needs and strengths meeting everyone where they‘re at
DRESLER’S INJURY REPORT
- 2013 Elbow surgery
- 2013 Knee surgery
- 2014 ACL surgery
- 2014 Hand surgery
- 2014 Removal of hardware and cleanout
- 2015 Scaphoid (wrist) surgery
- 2017 ACL surgery
- 2017 Shoulder reconstruction
- 2017 Knee arthroscope
- 2018 Knee arthroscope
- 2018 Removal of all hardware and damaged ACL and meniscus
