A KINGSTON boy is refusing to let his disability stand in the way of sporting success and has wheeled his way to a gold medal at the London Youth Games.
Jack Binstead, 12, clinched the top prize in the boys' 200 wheelchair event at the disability athletics last week.
It is not the only battle the Chessington Community College pupil is winning – he recently took his first steps. Jack has brittle bone disease, which has left him unable to walk. The brave youngster has had seven operations to insert metal rods into his legs to try and straighten them.
His proud mum Penny said: "He's doing really well – so far he's not needed an operation this year and a few weeks ago he took his first couple of steps. We're so proud of him – he works to hard. He came second in the Mini London Marathon as well, so he's having a great year."
Jack, who lives in Chessington with Penny, dad Graham ans sister Charlotte, nine, has a strict training schedule, putting in the hours twice a week at Kingsmeadow and once a week in Richmond Park. He also swims every week and goes to the gym.
"I didn't know what to expect – I just went there and did my best," he said. "I didn't expect much because I was the youngest there but I'm really happy with how it went.
"I train every day and love it. I've got lots of energy and I love going down hills fast – if I wasn't in a wheelchair I'd definitely be into extreme sports!"
