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All Tree of Hope children are superstars, and this is well known! In every edition of our newsletter, we like to share stories and news about our wonderful with our readers We would like to tell you about one in particular of our amazing youngsters who is going on to make some serious waves in the world of wheelchair racing.
Joel James, 15 from Sleaford in Lincolnshire, lives with cerebral palsy and periventricular leukomalacia, PVL, as a result of contracting meningitis at birth. At one state, doctors were unwilling to give a prognosis for him, and although he does walk, it’s a struggle and he can’t go far.
But Joel’s willpower, linked to a training regime that would defeat many able-bodied people, means he’s becoming an athlete to watch and has his sights set on the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.
“I can’t do as much as a regular kid my age can do,” he says. “So wheelchair racing is a good way express my feelings. I also play wheelchair basketball but I really prefer the racing – it makes me feels fast and I like the independence of being solo.”
His parents have worked hard to give Joel the independence most 15 year olds would take for granted. In 2012, they spent five months in what his mum, Karen, 47 calls ‘a blur’ raising enough money, with the support of Tree of Hope, to take Joel to America for an operation to relieve the spasticity in his legs. Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) involved cutting selected nerves in Joel’s back to release his leg muscles. For many children the results are life-changing:
“Joel has much more movement than he would have had without the operation and he suffers less pain. He is able to walk with crutches and splints. But Joel’s condition means that it’s particularly difficult for him to generate muscle so it’s essential that he keeps exercising to maintain tone and mobility.”
Joel’s Dad, Stewart
Joel’s first chance to try out a racing wheelchair was courtesy of Jamie Carter, London 2012 Paralympian. Another notable step forward was when he started using a chair belonging to Paralympian Jade Jones, who is coached by 11 times gold medal winner Baroness Tanni Gray-Thompson. Much to Joe’s horror, it was pink so his first move was to have it painted blue instead.
The teenager’s first formal event was the London Mini Marathon, a three mile race in April 2014 as part of the London Marathon. With more than 80 races now under his belt, he has put in 14 personal best times this year, is regularly placed in a range of distances and is ranked number two in the 1500m. But it takes dedication and daily training.
“It takes up a lot of my time,” says Joel. “I see Lee, my personal trainer, twice a week for strengthening, conditioning and training, then at weekends I am competing or out on training runs. “My aim is really to be selected for the 2020 Paralympics.”
Joel continues to qualify for events around the country, most recently being picked for the prestigious School Games competition. Joel’s stats can be viewed on the British Athletics ranking site, The Power of 10.
If we can support you like we have supported Joel please call us on 01892 535525 today to talk with our families team – Jenny or Georgie.
