Meet the Leeds man with Ehlers-Danlos and ADHD who took on a two-night charity hike in the wilderness

A man from Leeds with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and ADHD has reached the peak of a month-long challenge to raise awareness surrounding invisible disabilities.

Jamie Kian Pennington, founder of JKP Autocare, took on a two-night hike in the Lake District from May 1 - May 3 to raise money for four charities: EDS UK, Ambitious About Autism, Andy’s Man Club, and Mind.

Before the challenge, the 24-year-old documented his “gruelling” preparation on social media to create conversations surrounding Ehlers-Danlos and ADHD.

Jamie first started showing symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos, a connective tissue disorder, as a teenager, however, due to a lack of awareness, he didn’t receive a diagnosis until he was in his twenties.

“When I was 13 years old, I was really into mountain biking, I loved sports and PE at school, and then I started developing symptoms,” Jamie told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“I had to limit a lot of my physical activity which as a young lad, it's not an easy thing to grasp and get your head round especially when you don’t know why it's happening.

“I was in hospital constantly trying to plead with them that something's not right.”

Ehlers-Danlos is a condition which affects the structure and function of collagen in the body and symptoms include joint pain, an increased risk of joint dislocation, hypermobility, and increased tissue fragility.

Since collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, Ehlers-Danlos can increase the risk of heart, gut, and throat issues.

As well as this, there is growing evidence to suggest an overlap between Ehlers-Danlos and neurodivergency, which Jamie believes explains why he also has ADHD.

Jamie said: “With my ADHD, people mistake it that I don’t pay attention, I don’t listen, or I’m erratic in what I say, I don’t make sense.

“My brain works in a mysterious way but I’ve managed to hound in on it and zone in and figure it out.”

Jamie has been using his month of training to raise awareness of both conditions by sharing his experience with strangers.

While wearing a 10-kilogram backpack, Jamie started asking passersby for a minute of their time to start a conversation where he shares his story.

It’s a challenge that the businessman said made him feel “petrified” at first, but he hopes sharing his experience will make a positive difference.

He also aims to showcase that disability does not have a set appearance and that everyone has “untold stories” which you don’t see at first glance.

Alongside having an impact on the community, Jamie sees the challenge as a test of his own self-determination.

“I’m very good at keeping my word for other people, if I say I’m going to do something I do it. But loyalty with myself I really lack,” Jamie said.

“It’s going to be a real accomplishment and I’m going to be proud of myself at the end of it that I’ve not just stuck to my word to other people but with myself too.”

After 30 days of training, Jamie and his close friend Jordan, took on their two-night hike in the wilderness.

Together, they raised £900 which will be split equally alongside the four charities which they both share personal connections with.

Ultimately, Jamie wants to bring Ehlers-Danlos and ADHD into mainstream conversation and show individuals struggling that they are not alone.

Jamie said: “My ultimate aim is to bring a community together that’s been sidelined and overlooked for so many years and bring them in a safe space where they don’t feel so alone.

“The main motto behind everything is to just keep pushing.”

To support Jamie and Jordan’s challenge, donate to their online fundraising page.