Inspirational Solihull teenager presented with Travel Training award

16-year-old Cameron Dixon has been presented with an ‘Independent Travel Training Inspiration’ award by the Deputy Mayor of Solihull Cllr Stuart Davis.

Cameron, who suffers from a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy, has been working with Solihull Council’s Independent Travel Training Team. The team help young people with additional needs to travel on their own.

Cameron uses a power wheelchair which means travelling can present difficulties in many forms for him, ranging from cars blocking pavements to a shortage of accessible space on buses.

With the team’s help and a great deal of dedication, Cameron has been able to overcome these difficulties and can now travel independently to and from college. The skills he has acquired through the Independent Travel Training programme will benefit him throughout his life.

The programme is free to young people aged 11 to 16 that live in the borough and available to anyone who meets the requirements, which can be found on the website.

Cameron, who plays for the Villa Rockets Powerchair Football Club, has received a number of awards this year including an Inspirational Young Person award from WellChild, which was presented to him by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The Deputy Mayor said: “Cameron Dixon is an inspirational young man who has overcome many difficulties in his time to achieve so much. It was an honour to present him with this Independent Travel Training Inspiration award.

“The travel training scheme is fantastic and I would urge anyone who could benefit or anyone who knows someone who could benefit to go to the website and apply.”

Cameron said: “The Independent Travel Training was so good. I was so nervous at first but with the right support from my trainer and the team I have so much more confidence and independence, which has enabled me to travel independently with a disability.

“I’m very grateful that I’ve now achieved this and would thoroughly recommend the programme.”

For more information about Solihull Independent Travel Training (SITT): http://www.solihull.gov.uk/traveltraining