A para-athlete who was left paralysed on one side from a brain tumour is hoping to raise money for others affected by brain cancer with a tricycling challenge next month.
James Crossley from Bicester was just nine when he was diagnosed with a rare astrocytoma.
Two major surgeries led to the removal of the tumour and almost his entire left temporal lobe.
This left him paralysed down his right side and took away half of his vision and his ability to speak.
A team of doctors and nurses at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury and John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford helped Mr Crossley relearn life's basic skills.
Teaching assistants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists also guided his recovery as he learnt to walk, talk, read and write again.
Mr Crossley, 33, said: "I never knew how much would come back, it was quite the journey, I remember it well.
"My mum helping me learn things with mind maps and my dad encouraging me little by little to get back on my skateboard and bike when I was ready, and everyone helping me retrain my left hand to do what my right once could."
Despite his illness, he finished school, gained an art foundation degree and became national champion in a para-tricycling event in Andover last year.
He has vowed to "never let the brain tumour stop me from doing anything", and is currently preparing for the Brain Tumour Research Cycle 274 Miles in August Challenge, which will see him tricycling alongside his wife, Rachael.
He continued: "I wish I never had a brain tumour, but I am so grateful for the life I have been able to have and want to raise as much money as possible for Brain Tumour Research so other young people battling the disease can have the same opportunity."
Louise Aubrey, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, added: “James’ story is so inspiring and one of true hope. To bounce back after life-altering surgery at such a young age is incredible.
"Thanks to James’ fundraising, we will be able to dedicate more money in our research centres so we can find a cure for this devastating disease."
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK and campaigns for the government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours.
It is the driving force behind a call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.
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