"UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL"

ALL ABOUT RHYS BOWLER

Hi I’m Rhys a motivational speaker from Pontypridd. I suffer from a life threatening muscle wasting condition called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). I have lost the use of my entire body I am confined to a wheelchair and permanently bound to a respirator. I only have the use of my thumb which I drive my chair with. . In 2017 I lost my brother he was a fellow sufferers, he sadly died at 27 from DMD, my entire world fell apart he was my rock and support network my version of a wife and kids. It broke my heart. It’s taken me 2 years but I’ve started speaking in his honour.

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For 32 years my body has slowly been going downhill with muscle

deterioration. My body and chair is what people see... but what people don’t see is an amazing mind inside a broken shell. living with this condition I have had to face many a challenge, coming to terms with my deterioration, accepting I was different to my peers, accepting that my life would have to take a different path, that my success or failure lay in my own hands .

One of my first challenges was getting used to life in a wheelchair, this was never going to be easy. In the first instance my chair cost £22,000 and I had to put £12,000 of my savings into buying it! ……. I ask you how many cars £22,000 buys you. Then you try steering your wheelchair up a hill at a 90 degree angle in the south wales valleys. It’s not an easy challenge especially when pissed.

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As my deterioration, progressed I would have to come to terms with using a respirator. Being rather vain it cramped my style and spoiled my rugged good looks. As you can imagine this has taken its toll on my mental health, it has taken all my resilience and determination to accept, that I am who I am wheels and all.  And that others would have accept this and, if they couldn’t they would have to resolve this their selves.

the greatest challenge I would ever have to face would be my own mortality in the death of my younger brother a fellow sufferer at just 27….I realised that this condition is fatal and my life will be short. I have to live life to the fullest for my brother and me.

For 32 years I’ve been told what I can’t do ... school...doctors and specialists...social services and even girlfriends. The power of positivity has driven me to great things  ... top of the class in school... a university degree…. I’ve travelled worldwide  ... and started a rock band ...I live in my own home and independently ... some romance not always successful. But.....ladies I am still single and on the market!

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I’m now taking my story to the world, in the hope of showing disabled and able bodied people, anything is possible with a positive outlook……. and some bloody mindedness, It’s time to focus on what we can do not what we can’t. Showing people how to find their voice in a world, where they are often spoken over and invisible.

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Frankie Bolder

This is your testimonial quote. It’s a great opportunity to give site visitors a firsthand perspective of your speaking services by sharing reviews from actual audience members of your previous engagements.

Quinn Davis

This is your testimonial quote. It’s a great opportunity to give site visitors a firsthand perspective of your speaking services by sharing reviews from actual audience members of your previous engagements.

Sandy Williams