A 15-year-old left paralysed overnight has defied his disability thanks to a life-changing wheelchair.

Owen West, from Park Wood, woke up unable to walk in May 2017 just two months after being told by doctors he was suffering from severe genetic conditions affecting his spine and joints.

Despite the diagnosis of type-three Loeys-Dietz syndrome and the extremely rare CDK13, Owen has strived to maintain his active lifestyle by taking part in fun runs.

He also shoots hoops for the Folkestone Arrows, something made possible thanks to the help of charity Freedom For Wheels.

The Nexus School pupil has won over 100 medals from events he has competed in.

His mother, Shelley: said: "I think I probably struggled with it more than he did. When we got the diagnosis we were told that it would impact his mobility but that we had a while to go before that happened and then literally he woke up in May last year and couldn’t move. We had a lost of adjusting to do but he took it in his stride."

Despite his efforts, with only a basic wheelchair provided by NHS, the avid sportsman found himself falling shy of winning gold.

However, Owen received a brand new specialised chair from the charity that has left his competitors in his dust.

He was delighted to bring home his first gold medal in his new chair and, and on top of that, scored his first hoop in basketball.

"We are very grateful to them", said the proud mum of two.

"They stepped in and gave him the chair he needed and the way that it's changed everything that he does and changed both our lives. It's made it so much better."

Now, to thank the organisation for their gift Owen has been taking on a series of runs to raise money so other people like him can be helped.

Owen has taken part in the Superhero Run in Regent's Park, London and, most recently, the Big Fun Run in Mote Park, Maidstone on Saturday, August 4.

He is set to challenge himself at the Winter Wonderwheels 5K in Windsor on December 2.

"I want to help other people," he said.

To help Owen in his fundraising mission click here.