Posts tagged Jordan Williams

Working in the mobility industry for one of the leading mobility comparison websites, almost every other day I come across people who can best be described as an inspiration to everyone they meet. 

Faced with debilitating illnesses, disability and mobility problems, these people are capable of doing more in a wheelchair or a hospital bed than most people can do with a fit and able body. It’s as though their spirit, faced with insurmountable challenges, rises up and seizes the challenge.  And then some.

Step forward Michael McGrath.

Michael suffers from muscular dystrophy, a debilitating disease affecting 75,000 people in the UK. In fact muscular dystrophy is the biggest genetic killer of children in the world – it robs sufferers of their mobility, their independence and finally for those with the most severe type, their lives.

Affectionately known as the Chief Muscle Warrior and wheelchair bound, Michael co-founded the Muscle Help Foundation which provides amazing experiences designed for children and young people suffering from muscular dystrophy – experiences that a child or young adult will remember for the rest of their lives. 

Something magical…..like that arranged for 12 year old petrol head and Ferrari enthusiast, Jordan Williams, who’s forever saying to his mother “Mum, you’re fired!”.

 Jordan with Michael…….

When I asked Michael why he set up the foundation, he simply said, “I want more people to hear about what this disease does, how it destroys lives and how those living with it can still fulfil their dreams.”

He added, “I want to empower, inspire and motivate others to engage with this cause – it takes 10 muscles to smile, 12 to frown but only one to make a difference, something we try hard to do through our Muscle Dreams programme.”

In 2002 Michael himself led an expedition to the North Pole, an achievement he repeated two years later at the South Pole.  And this is a man who at that time could only walk assisted; just 6 months ago, he lost his ability to walk entirely.  Unbelievable.

Michael at the Pole itself…

The Muscle Warriors 10k fundraising event at Haileybury went down a treat last weekend (June 5th).  Jodie Williams – the first girl to become World Youth Champion in both the 100 and 200 meter sprint – came along with her dad Richard in her capacity as an Ambassador for the Wells Sports Foundation.

Father and daughter came a very respectable 7th place in the Muscle Warriors Guinness World Record attempt in partnership with National Family Week’s Sport Day initiative.  Did they get the World Record?  You’ll have to visit the event website in the coming weeks to find out!  Click here.

To end this post, all I’d say is that Michael McGrath must be one of the most inspiring individuals I’ve come across in any walk of life……our very best wishes from the entire team at Mobility Compare.  If you’d like to help this charity deliver more Muscle Dreams, you can donate online by clicking here.