Top accolade for ‘inspiration’ Jack
Jack Hodgson with Linda Barker at the ceremony
AN AMAZING local lad has taken home a national award for overcoming adversity with his disability.
After a nervous few weeks waiting to find out, Gainsborough teen Jack Hodgson, 15 found out that he has won a national award from the deafblind charity Sense in the category of Young Deafblind Person of the Year.
The annual Sense awards are given in recognition of exceptional achievements by deafblind people and their supporters.
Jack was presented with his award at a special ceremony in London by designer and TV personality Linda Barker and Sense’s CEO Gillian Morbey OBE.
Jack, who has Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that means he was born profoundly deaf and is losing his sight as he gets older, won for being an inspirational sporting figure and showing what deafblind people can achieve.
Despite having just ten degrees of remaining vision, Jack is a national judo champion, ranking 3rd in the country against able-bodied competitors and winning a Commonwealth gold medal earlier in the year.
Jack said: “It’s a real honour to receive this award for my love of sport and being an ambassador for deafblindness and Sense.”
He added: “I hope this helps people to understand better that even though I have challenges to my sight and hearing, with understanding and support and my own ambition, I can achieve so much.”
Linda Barker said: “Huge congratulations to Jack. I am so delighted to present the Sense Awards this year, as they are a great way of recognising the achievements of deafblind people and those who make a real difference to their lives.”
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Weather for Gainsborough
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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