She is one of 23 finalists: award recipients will be announced in Canberra on December 3.

Jayme, 18, was born with cerebellar ataxia, a form of cerebral palsy, which slurs her speech and causes slight hand shakes.

Some children teased Jayme when she was younger, but she was determined to excel, particularly in sport.

She took up cycling three years ago and has already won several awards, including the 2007 Sue Fear Award for Courage and Achievement in Sport.

"I also broke a world record, cycling in France last August," Jayme said.

"I'm now aiming for the Beijing Paralympics next year."

Jayme said growing up with cerebellar ataxia was difficult. "I got teased a lot. At school we'd play hide and seek and everyone would run off leaving me."

She said teachers were sympathetic but usually did not know how to accommodate a student with a physical disability.

"They wouldn't let me swim in swimming festivals."

Things changed in year 4 when Jayme transferred to Jasper Road Primary School in Baulkham Hills.

The school had special classes and encouraged her to take part in swimming.

"By year 6 they put me back in a mainstream class, which I loved," she said.

But Jayme soon tired of swimming and decided to try cycling.

Jayme is studying for her HSC at Doonside Technology High School and hopes to later study child care.

She said if she misses a place in the Beijing Paralympics, she will aim for the London Games in 2012.

"People in cycling give me a lot of encouragement.

"I've got the support of my coach, my mum and my dad.

"I have few friends, but I have close friends."