County Durham campaigner and disability inclusion champion Paul James is swapping Consett for the Italian sunshine as he heads to an international conference where he will tell his remarkable story.
Paul, 40, works in the NHS helping services to better include people with disabilities. He has Lowe's Syndrome - a condition which means he is visually impaired and has a learning disability. When he was born, his mum Wendy was told he "wouldn't walk or talk" - but he's made a mockery of those predictions, not least by taking on a fundraising challenge ahead of a trip to Naples this week.
There, Paul will speak at the International Lowe's Syndrome Conference, addressing experts from around the world and telling them about his lived experience of Lowe's and how vital inclusion is. To mark the distance to Naples, he has been taking a minimum of 1,551 steps a day all month, and has raised almost £1,000 for the only UK charity supporting those with the rare genetic condition.
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Paul wants to show others who may be diagnosed with Lowe's - or other conditions like it - that opportunities do exist for people to live fulfilling, trailblazing lives. He said: "I've been asked to Naples to speak at this conference. And how the fundraiser came in is that last year I bought a Fitbit and Rob my personal assistant who supports me was helping me to do my daily steps.
"When knew I would be going to Naples, he had the thought that it would be a good idea to do something to raise money. It's really important as the Lowes Syndrome Trust is the only charity dealing with Lowe's Syndrome in the UK.
"I'm going to open the conference but I will also be doing a 20 minute presentation. It's about my experience, about doing my job and about the other important things around living with Lowe's."
He added that his aim was to "show that just because you have a learning disability it shouldn’t stop you from having the same opportunities as everyone else".
Support Paul's fundraiser here.
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