A 24 year old man with Down’s Syndrome who has achieved more in his life so far than many people do in a lifetime is pushing down more barriers for people with learning disabilities.
Adam Wild, who is a trained actor and dancer, won a gold medal in the Special Olympics and had lunch with Princess Diana, has now set himself a new challenge to work as a fashion model.
Adam, who grew up in Hertfordshire, now lives in Newbiggin by the Sea in Northumberland with parents Bernadette and Patrick. The couple adopted him when he was a year old and they have encouraged Adam to follow his dreams and never give up.
Bernadette, a former nurse at the world famous Harefield Hospital’s transplant unit in Middlesex, is originally from Ashington and the family relocated back to the North East five years ago when she and Patrick retired.
She said: “Adam is a truly remarkable young man and has never let anything stand in his way.
“He suffered some bullying at school in Watford, but he rose above it and he’s grown into a very confident man. Once he sets his sights on doing something, he doesn’t give up.”
Adam met Princess Diana at Harefield Hospital when he was five; he’s climbed up to the crow’s nest of a tall ship out at sea, and won a swimming freestyle gold medal at the 2013 Special Olympics in Bath.
He’s a keen performer, and takes his health and fitness very seriously. As well as being a regular at the gym, he’s captain of the Newcastle United Foundation football team for people with Down’s Syndrome, which plays at St James’ Park and across the UK.
Adam followed up college courses in life skills and independent living by studying drama and dance at the Chicken Shed Academy in London. He’s a talented impressionist, has appeared in theatre productions and he has also featured in a production that won a D’Oscar for Headway Arts for the Best Short Film.
Now however, his goal is to make it as a fashion model, and his Aw-Some Model fashion page on Facebook has more than 1200 followers. He’s kicked off his modelling quest by appearing on a charity poster with his football teammates that is on display at Newcastle Airport.
Adam, who is combining the sporty and creative sides of his character with a job in the café at Hepscott garden centre, said: “I’m really happy with my life, and I want to follow my dreams.
“We all have dreams and if you do things right they can come true. I can walk tall wherever I go now. I’m very rich with my family, friends and everyone around me who makes sure I’m happy in my life.”
Mum Bernadette added: “There’s no stopping Adam once he sets himself a challenge.
“He’s a real advocate for people with learning disabilities; he can tell people what it’s like so they understand, and he’s helping to change perceptions, and how people relate to people with conditions such as Down’s Syndrome.
“We’re behind him all the way. He’s a real inspiration.”