This winter has seen an incredible achievement by one of our regular visitors – Thomas Hughes, aged 25, from Blaina.  Thomas has the genetic and neurological disorder, Angelman Syndrome, but this hasn’t stopped him completing 135 laps (176 miles) of the lake at Parc Bryn Bach on his much-loved, adapted Tomcat trike over the winter period.

Thomas was told by doctors as a young child that he would never be able to talk or walk, meaning he would be a permanent wheelchair user. With community support and numerous fundraising initiatives, Thomas’s parents started the Thomas Hughes Campaign to provide him with much-needed physiotherapy, through the Footsteps Centre in Oxford, when he was a child.  This resulted in Thomas’s strength, co-ordination and core stability improving to a level that he was able to use his first Tomcat Trike purchased by his family, and he’s never looked back.

Thomas and his father, Wayne, are frequent visitors to Parc Bryn Bach, as it is the perfect place for Thomas to enjoy his favourite hobby, cycling.  When Thomas isn’t attending his local day centre, Bert Denning, in Brynmawr, you can find him at Parc Bryn Bach, enjoying himself on the path around the 36-acre lake which provides a smooth ride for Thomas.

Wayne said: “Parc Bryn Bach is a fantastic place that caters for so many people of all ages and abilities. The path allows Thomas to ride independently, which improves his physical, mental, and social wellbeing. The exercise allows him to maintain a healthy weight, gaining social interactions on his way round when bumping into regular community members who now recognise him, and always stop and chat; there’s always a friendly atmosphere at the park.

“It’s also made me fitter.  As an unpaid carer, keeping myself fit and healthy is challenging but the time I spend with Thomas at the park means that I can enjoy the open air, interact with loads of people and I’ve done over 528,000 steps myself!”

Parc Bryn Bach is a local nature reserve which offers free disabled parking, accessible features within the play area, including the spider swing, roundabout and outdoor xylophones and a sensory garden, which provide different stimuli for Thomas.  However, it’s the lake and surrounding nature that really support Thomas’s enjoyment as a characteristic of Angelman Syndrome is a fascination with water.

Adam Hughes, community engagement officer for Aneurin Leisure Trust, and brother of Thomas said: “My family has been visiting Parc Bryn Bach for over 20 years and the park has developed hugely over this time, providing so many opportunities for people of all abilities.  Come rain or shine, my family enjoys a friendly welcome at the park and the many sensory and social interactions help their mental wellbeing during challenging times.  The accessibility of the park means that Thomas has already cycled the equivalent of Parc Bryn Bach to London which is incredible.”