'I never thought I'd have kids due to my disability'

"I thought I would never have kids, and now I have a son."

Those are the words of a sports coach who has lifted the lid on his "hidden disability", after being named by a charity as one of the UK's most influential disabled people.

James Sutliff, 40, had been a picture of good health, playing semi-professional rugby and working as a fitness model and self-employed plumber, when in 2008 he woke up one morning feeling unwell.

His speech was slurred, his movements were affected, and his mental health suffered as medics struggled to diagnose what was wrong.

Mr Sutliff, from Queniborough, Leicestershire, said: "Those five years, with no answers, no diagnosis, was horrendous.

"I had my own business, had my own career, I knew what I wanted to do, I was looking to the future and exciting times.

"And then boom, I lost my career, I lost my business, everything. I lost myself."

Eventually, in 2012, Mr Sutliff was diagnosed with dystonia - a neurological condition which causes muscle spasms and contractions.

He began working out and bodybuilding, as it helped his condition and gave him focus.

In 2016, he decided to share his story with a Facebook video, a decision he struggled with due to his embarrassment over the way the condition impacted his speech.

But he was "overwhelmed" by the support, and since then he has grown his online following, sharing his personal journey as well as his new career as a disability sports coach.

Mr Sutliff works at the Matt Hampson Foundation, helping people with conditions such as brain trauma, spinal injuries, motor neurone disease (MND) and cerebral palsy.

On Wednesday, the charity Shaw Trust named him in its Disability Power 100, which recognises the UK's most influential disabled leaders, trailblazers and advocates.

He said: "Times can be hard, times can be tough, but just keep going. If I can do it, anyone can do it."

Throughout his journey, one constant has been his wife Sam.

But while his professional life has gone from strength to strength in the past decade, the couple spent years fearing they would never feel ready to have children.

Mr Sutliff said: "When I was diagnosed with dystonia, I thought I'd never have any kids, and I was scared to have my own kids.

"I thought because I have a disability and if I have kids, they will get bullied because of me. I thought that but that's me being silly."

In October, the couple's son Cruz was born, and his parents could not be prouder.

Mr Sutliff said: "When I first found out Sam was pregnant I couldn't believe it. I just thought, this is amazing."

Mrs Sutliff added: "It's kind of surreal, it's like pinch me - is this real life?

"We both knew we wanted children, and the circumstances we were very cautious - so to get there, we just feel so blessed."

Mr Sutliff said: "I never thought I'd have that. And now he is here, he is a perfect little man, he's my best mate.

"I take videos with him to show everyone that you can do it, you can have your own kids.

"If you are somebody who has a disability or is going through any hardships in life, you can live life the best you can.

"You can live life with a disability and just be happy. Do not give up.

"Do not let anything stop you, you can do anything."

Mrs Sutliff said: "My heart just bursts with pride for James, not just because of this award, just for everything, who he is and all he has accomplished since his diagnosis.

"Without sounding too cheesy, he’s an inspiration."

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