Tom’s art beats lockdown blues
LOCKDOWNS have been tough on everyone, but for superfit para athlete Tom Wilson, it meant he had to back away from the competitive sports he’s always loved.
The 33-year-old suffers from cerebral palsy and is profoundly deaf, but while his disabilities have never held him back, the coronavirus pandemic almost did.
Although it didn’t prevent him keeping in shape, it did make it tough for him to take part in one of his favourite sports - mixed ability rugby.
Rather than sit tight and let the pandemic get him down, however, Tom took to art to help him pass the time.
And he has been selling his works to family and friends to raise money for new rugby kit ready for when the season started.
The portraits he created ranged from Disney characters to NHS heroes, and the funds from their sales are helping the mixed ability team that was created thanks to his persistence in wanting to take part.
The new strip is needed in time for fixtures in the International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament in Cork, Ireland next year.
His full-time carer, Jo Timbrell, says she has been in awe of Tom’s motivation throughout the pandemic.
She said: “Tom is a true inspiration to us all. He’s full of energy, enthusiastic and a pleasure to be around.
“He has achieved so much in his life despite his disabilities including running for Great Britain in the Paralympics when he was just 16, to horse riding, disability basketball and being the reason why Derby Rugby Club introduced mixed ability rugby due to his persistence on wanting to play.
“Tom has also volunteered for a number of charities.
“He volunteers at Lea Green Development Centre, we have both travelled to Barcelona to volunteer for the Cerebral Palsy World games, and the list goes on.”
During the lockdowns, Tom has carried on exercising from home, and in Ashbourne’s green spaces, and some of his sessions have been filmed for his Facebook page Cerebral Palsy Fitness.
To find out more about the portraits, or to support Tom and his fund-raising, visit the page at www.facebook.com/Cereralpalsygym