As some of you may have seen in the press the BBC wildlife photographer of the year photographs have just been announced. Luckily for me, Andrew Walmsley, a close friend of mine got runner-up prize for mammal behaviour with a picture of some monkeys running along a beach.

He invited me to a ‘meet the photographer’s’ event at the Natural History Museum in London. For me it was a trip to congratulate Andrew, have some wine and do some networking. I used to work as a conservation biologist and I have an ambition to be a BBC wildlife presenter. I have done bits and bobs on radio and had TV presenter training. Anyway this was a fun way to put some feelers out.

What does this have to do with being a wheelchair user? No, not a whinge about access but a positive tale about networking. If you look different, people remember you.

On Monday evening I went with Andrew to meet all the other finalists – this was the night before the main awards show. I was a bit miffed Andrew had chosen to take a sexy lady to the awards show instead of me but hey ho, I’m not as pretty as I used to be.

Anyway, back to Monday night, I met loads of nice photographers including two very famous ones from National Geographic, one of whom was a judge for the competition.

After a few wines we wangled an invite to an after party meal at a local Thai restaurant with other photographers and the judge. We hit it off and Steve (the judge) reserved me a seat next to him and we chatted away all night, including pitching my idea about being a BBC wildlife presenter out and about as a wheelchair user.

He insisted I come to awards show to meet his contacts at the BBC – nice idea I thought but could be tricky to swing this one. Anyway I sent an email off to the organiser, did a bit of name dropping and used what I call the ‘wheelchair card’.

Being in a wheelchair makes you memorable. I’m a positive, confident, chatty guy so add these together and it’s very easy for people to recall who I am.

People also want to help you as they feel you have a deficit. I guess technically I do but in reality being a wheelchair user opens doors.

Such as the doors to the Natural History Museum, which is exactly where I found myself for the awards show.

Not only that but I was sitting at the judges’ table due to my new-found friendship.

I guess Andrew’s picture wasn’t the only cheeky monkey at the museum that night...