I’m proud of my disability – I’m running the London Marathon to prove what people like me can achieve

I have cerebral palsy, but I’ve never let it stop me and I’m refusing to let Covid-19 stop me now

Running the London Marathon to tackle stigma around learning disabilities (Getty Images)

My motto has always been don’t let someone say you can’t do it – prove people wrong and achieve your dreams. This year, I’m so proud to be running the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon as part of Mencap’s Learning Disability Running Squad. We want to show the world what people with a learning disability, like me, can achieve. We want to break down barriers and change attitudes.

Because of Covid-19, I’ll be running the 26.2 mile virtual race in my local area of Walthamstow. I am proud to be one of 10 runners with a learning disability who is taking on the challenge in different areas across the country. I haven’t let anything stop me before and I’m refusing to let Covid-19 stop me now.

For me, Mencap is an amazing charity and I’ve received support from them throughout my life. So when I found out they were the official charity of the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon, it was a no-brainer – I had to run!

My earliest experiences with Mencap were through play schemes when I was younger, but it’s the support I’ve received recently to find my dream job in the hotel industry that has made me want to give back.

When I was at school, I was applying for jobs and work experience opportunities but not having much luck. Then in 2018, I joined Mencap’s supported internship programme where I was set up with a work placement at Novotel Hotel.

Before I even finished my supported internship, I was offered a job as a conference porter at the hotel. I was so happy. I was like “yes – I’ve got a job”. It’s being able to stand on my own two feet, being able to save for things and being able to do the grind. I’m just like everyone else.

I’m really proud of what I have achieved. I even got employee of the month once and was named runner up employee of the year. I got a certificate and a £50 voucher and a bottle of booze. But I don’t drink, so I gave it to my mum – because without my mum, where would I be?

And lockdown has not stopped me from working. I did some shifts serving food to patients at my local hospital and now I am helping my dad to deliver furniture, while also training for the marathon.

I was always into sport – football, cycling, swimming – but the idea of doing a marathon inspired me to try running. I found a running club and got training. I’ve done so many laps around a track. It’s sociable, it’s allowed me to mix with people.  When things get hard we encourage each other. While I won’t have the race day I planned and trained for this year, I’m still excited to run 26.2 miles in my local area along with my support runner, Ruth. Every penny I raise will go towards funding Mencap’s programmes, which help the UK’s 1.5 million people with a learning disability lead happy and healthy lives.

I want to raise as much as possible because I don’t know where I’d be without Mencap. They have been in my life for so long. I can’t wait to complete this challenge and prove people wrong – prove the whole world wrong - and show what people with a learning disability can achieve.

I want to help put Mencap and learning disability on the map. All that stigma about learning disability needs to be removed – I’m proud of my disability. And to anyone else who is running the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon, I say “don’t let someone say you can’t do it”.

Aaron Plummer is 19 years old and lives in Walthamstow, London. He has a learning disability and cerebral palsy, and will be taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2020 as a member of Team Mencap. To support Aaron’s fundraising ambitions visit his web page here