Jenson Whitehouse was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and also has a rare chromosome condition and autism
A 12-year-old boy who was warned he might never walk following a muscular dystrophy diagnosis on his first birthday has become a promising athlete who scales mountains, tackles triathlons and enjoys a spot of table tennis. Jenson Whitehouse, the youngest of four siblings born to Chantal and Garry Whitehouse, received his Duchenne muscular dystrophy diagnosis on his first birthday – “a progressive, life-limiting, muscle-wasting condition” for which “there’s no cure” – and also has a rare chromosome condition and autism.
“When he was born, everything seemed absolutely fine, but over the first year, we noticed he was delayed with his milestones,” his mum Chantal said. “We got told: ‘Oh, don’t worry. Children do it all differently’. But I just had an inkling, because of the other three children, that something wasn’t quite right.”
Jenson, who lives in Cheltenham with his family, received his diagnosis during a consultation that Chantal described as “really doom and gloom”. His family was informed he may never manage to walk, that he could face a shortened life and that he wouldn’t be capable of achieving very much. But Jenson has defied their expectations.
He’s now an energetic youngster who adores the great outdoors and throwing himself into physical pursuits, a love discovered through his participation in the Superhero Series – a collection of athletic events created for and by people with disabilities, which features major summer and Christmas events alongside home-based activities. “We’ve climbed Pen y Fan in Wales, we pushed him up in a wheelchair. We’ve done archery with him, paddle-boarding, hatchet throwing, alpaca walks… He’s always up to his antics. He loves being out in the great outdoors,” Chantal said.
Jenson began walking just shy of his second birthday and, while he may not be as fast as other children, cannot jump or hop, and has some learning difficulties, he possesses “an amazing memory”, his mum attests.
“He’s like an encyclopaedia, the way he goes on about a lot of topics we’re not aware of!” Chantal remarked. “He just knows that one day, he’ll lose his mobility, but he just gets on with life.”
Jenson’s passion for outdoor activities and adventure was sparked by participating in the Superhero Tri, powered by Marvel, which was established in 2016 by Paralympian Sophia Warner, a track and field athlete with cerebral palsy who competed in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London. His debut was at the 2021 Winter Wonderwheels event at age 8, and Chantal mentioned that the family plans to make the winter events an annual tradition since they fall around the time of Jenson’s diagnosis anniversary.
“Superhero Tri is my Paralympic legacy,” Sophia, 51, said. “London 2012 inspired so many people with disabilities to try sport, but there was no mass-participation, grassroots event that put them and their needs front and centre. I wanted Superhero Tri to be not just ‘inclusive’: it had to be exclusively for people with disabilities by removing all the barriers to participation that typically come with other events.”
The highlight of the summer for many is the Superhero Tri, taking place this year in Windsor, which boasts three triathlon distances: the Sprint, featuring a 150m swim, 3km bike ride, and 1km run or push; the Half, consisting of a 400m swim, 10km bike ride, and 2.5km push/run; and the Full, challenging participants with a 750m swim, 20km cycle, and 5km push/run.
This year’s Superhero Tri, the ninth of its kind, anticipates a turnout of 5,000 eager participants. On August 16, coinciding with Chantal and Garry’s 28th wedding anniversary, Jenson and his family – including his parents, family friend Graham, and Benji the dog – will tackle the Sprint Superhero Tri.
Joining Jenson on the track run will be none other than Will Bayley, the esteemed Paralympic, World, and European table tennis champion.
Chantal spoke highly of the event’s impact on her son, saying, “It’s good for his confidence,” She shared how thrilled Jenson is post-event, brimming with excitement: “He’s just buzzing… He’s so chuffed to bits afterwards, because he loves telling everybody all about his adventures and what he’s done. After one event, he’s like, when can we do the next one?”.
For the swimming leg, Jenson will be on a paddleboard in the water, with his supporters propelling him forward. He’s set to tackle the 3km cycle on a customised trike and will take on the 1km run with Will Bayley, who was born with arthrogryposis, affecting all four limbs.
Chantal hopes that Jenson will manage to walk the 1km stretch, but if not, he’ll use a special wheelchair, as the event allows participants to utilise any equipment they need to finish the race.
“Our Everyday Superheroes call the shots and can take as long as they wish using whatever adaptive super kit, gadgets and gizmos they need to get them around the course,” Sophia said. “The inventiveness of people astounds me – my favourites so far have been a side-by-side adapted double buggy and a wheelchair strapped to a float to be towed across the water section!”.
True to its name, the Superhero Series invites competitors to don costumes of their favourite heroes while honouring their own incredible achievements. Over time, Jenson has dressed as various superheroes from Batman to Ironman and Hulk.
This year, he’s set to embody Captain America, as Chantal notes, because he’s “a huge star”. He’ll be donning the special Golden Cape, handed to him by sports journalist and broadcaster Clare Balding, as one of the event’s seven Everyday Superheroes, an accolade recognising his constant grin and extraordinary spirit.
“It’s absolutely incredible to have the backing of all these different Paralympians and presenters, because I know everything in society with disabilities, it can sometimes always be dampened down,” Chantal said.
“It’s great to be able to celebrate how much can be achieved with the disabilities that people have – they can be quite severe, but they can achieve so much. We were really sceptical when we were in that consultation room with his diagnosis, we thought: ‘Oh, he’s not going to be able to do anything’. To see how it is down the line – it gives so many families hope.
“We just wish we had found out about the Superhero Series a lot sooner, because it’s just so uplifting for the whole family. And it’s a great talking point to help other families see that there is hope. There’s so much more than just a diagnosis, and it’s just about making the most of every single moment you have.”
The Superhero Tri, powered by Marvel, is set to take place at Dorney Lake in Windsor on Saturday, August 16.
