Marathon efforts as Paul beats his disability
A man didn’t let his disability stop him from completing fivehalf marathons and being poised to take on the London Marathon.
Determined Paul Jenkins, has multiple sclerosis (MS) and says completing the races in Maidstone, Canterbury, Shepway, Deal and Dartford has given him a new lease of life and helped him deal with the debilitating condition.
The brave 45-year-old father-ofone was diagnosed 14 years ago and walks with the aid of sticks or a frame.
With the help of friends and sponsorship from the White Horse Pub in Otham, he successfully completed the races and says he has no intention of stopping any time soon.
Mr Jenkins, of St Philip’s Avenue, Maidstone, said: “I want to prove to people disability doesn’t mean you are not worth anything. And now I have started I have some fantastic friends at work and I have met some lovely people.
“I would like to say thanks to the team I work with who have been so supportive.
“My parents have been brilliant. My daughter has also been an inspiration.”
Mr Jenkins was diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from a car accident 25 years ago and four years ago temporarily lost his sight.
Now working at Kent County Council’s contact centre, Mr Jenkins says the experience of competing has helped turn his life around.
He added : “If I could live to 150 the way I feel at the moment I would not give it a second thought.”
For more information, visit www.tinyurl.com/PaulLondon17.