Alan Thomas was diagnosed with Ataxia, which is an incurable and degenerative neurological condition, 21 years ago.

He has been asked to talk about and share his experience by many major organisations. Since retiring as a self employed electrician he has combined public profiling of his disability together with his interest in IT, becoming UK manager for online support group www.livingwithataxia.org.

He has been able to raise the profile of Ataxia by being chairman of Ataxia South Wales, facilitating the launch of the West Wales Neurological Alliance and taking on the responsibility and role of trustee of Ataxia UK, all the time continuing to bring the issues that the disabled community encounters to the attention of the wider general public.

Living in rural Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire he is well rehearsed in travelling to most parts of Wales, UK and further and. His continuing ambition is to share his experiences with as many people as possible.

We welcome Alan to the Welsh Focus team as a specialist consultant, where we know his knowledge will be of real value to disabled people right across Wales.