Man with rare disorder to skate for Team GB

A figure skater with a rare genetic condition is preparing to represent Team GB at an international competition.

Callum Mills, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, was born with Charge syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects multiple organ systems.

The 27-year-old has struggled with his balance since birth but after his mother enrolled him in skating lessons to improve his motor skills, the sport has become his passion.

Starting Sunday, he is due to compete at the 2026 World Abilitysport Guttmann Games, an event where athletes with physical impairments can compete in sports that do not feature in the Paralympics.

Charge is an acronym for its common features - coloboma and cranial nerve anomalies, heart anomalies, atresia of the choanae, retardation of growth, genital underdevelopment and ear anomalies.

According to the NHS, the condition affects about one in 10,000 pregnancies.

Callum has symptoms that would traditionally make it harder to figure skate, with the condition affecting his balance and spatial awareness. He was also born with partial deafness and smaller airways.

When he first began skating in 2010, getting around unaided or without falling was a struggle, but he credits the sport with improving his balance and giving him more independence.

Callum told the BBC he loved skating and the feeling of being on the ice - but his favourite part of getting involved in the sport was the social aspect and having new experiences.

In 2015, he took part in his first professional competition, the Inclusive Skating World Championships, at which he won two gold medals.

He has competed in multiple competitions since then, including becoming one of the first Team GB figure skaters to take part in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in 2017.

"My favourite part is meeting people that I've never met before, [going to] new places, hearing new music," said Callum, who counts Lady Gaga as one of his favourite artists.

He said his partial deafness could make it challenging to hear the music and communicate with judges while competing, but he was determined his condition will not hold him back.

"I'm here to stay, I'm determined to do it, I never give up," he said.

When he first found out he would be competing at the Guttman Games, he said he was "very excited" and "told everyone".

His mother Michelle Mills said she had expressed interest in him joining Team GB for the Guttman Games but did not expect to receive the call that he had been selected.

"I burst into tears, it was a total surprise," she said.

"From all the negatives that he's fought through, [skating] is one massive positive and I'm so, so proud of him for everything that he's achieved."

Michelle originally encouraged her son to take part in the sport to improve his motor functions but she said she had seen a significant improvement in his mental health too.

"He's free to be him. He hasn't got any restraints," she said.

To prepare for the games, Callum skates for 10 hours a week, attends the gym and works with multiple coaches.

Louisa Chatwin, who became his official coach in 2019, said she did not think disabilities should prevent people from getting into the sport.

"We can always adapt or use aids on the ice, if someone's determined, especially like Callum, they're going to get there," she said.

"You have to be quite dedicated and put that time in. You get to know each other. Sometimes I know what Callum's going to say before he even says it."

Chatwin said hearing the news of his selection made her proud.

"So pleased for him, he deserves it," she said.

And the Guttman Games is not the only competition on Callum's 2026 schedule.

He is also due to attend a world championship competition in Lee Valley, London, later in the year.

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