This article was originally published by The Leicester Mercury and appears here, with specific permission, courtesy of www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk - many thanks.A snooker club is raising £2,000 to buy a wheelchair for one of its players who suffers from a chronically painful joint condition.
John-James McNicholas, known as JJ, suffers from a rare genetic disorder, which means that any slight movement can lead to his joints dislocating.
The 33-year-old is then in agony until the joint is slipped back into place.
JJ, a father-of-two said playing pool at Riley's Pool and Snooker Club, near De Montfort University, Leicester, over the past few months had given him a new lease of life.
The club is now organising a three-day pool and dart marathon to buy a new chair for JJ so he can improve his game and move closer to his goal of competing on a national and international level.
JJ, who currently lives in London Road but is due to move soon to a specially adapted home in Ibstock, said: "Having a goal again is brilliant but the best thing about being here is the friends I have made and the social life I've got back – it's fantastic.
"I'd love to achieve something in a wheelchair to inspire other people.
"If I don't become a champion I can show people it's possible to achieve even if you have physical or mental difficulties and life is difficult you can turn it around."
JJ's condition, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type 3, worsened following a bout of viral meningitis in 2006 and he was left wheelchair bound.
He was forced to leave his job, and to give up his regular gym sessions and playing guitar and piano, and has also suffered from depression.
He is now looked after by a carer 24 hours a day.
JJ said: "I went from being successful at work, I used to go to the gym at six in the morning and was always busy.
"Then there I was lying in a bed and not moving."
JJ eventually plucked up the courage to return to Riley's where he used to play pool before he was in a wheelchair.
The fundraising event for a new wheelchair was the brainchild of Riley's employee and former European pool champion Aslam Abubaker who has been training JJ for the past four months.
The club is hoping darts player Phil "The Power" Taylor will be attending.
The new wheelchair can turn on a 360 degree spin, has arms which lift up and is designed so he can move around the table with ease.
Aslam said: "I didn't recognise JJ when he came back in the club.
"We had a chat and I said 'let's work together'.
"Not only is he now achieving good things but he's made a lot of friends which is great."
JJ said: "What Aslam has done for me is beyond belief."
The three-day fundraising event at Riley's, in Deacon Street, Leicester, will be held from October 28 to 30.
This article was originally published by The Leicester Mercury and appears here, with specific permission, courtesy of www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk - many thanks.-----------------
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[ This message was edited by: BigDave on 2011-10-29 12:01 ]
