Special Olympics Great Britain athlete Marcus Mason Williams has again swapped his skiing for writing and digital illustration by creating his second children’s book, The Horse and the Dragon: Trials of Friendship.
Barnt Green-based Marcus, who is autistic, is part of the Special Olympics West Mids Ski Group and is a champion for sporting and entrepreneurial opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
His new book, which has been published by Fuzzy Flamingo, tells the story of a friendship formed between two autistic characters, Princess Maranda and farmer’s son Richard, and how they harness their amazing autistic strengths to overcome life’s challenges with character, courage and the support of their unusual friends, Chester the horse and Wisdom the dragon.
I want to use this book to inspire other people with autism, and other intellectual disabilities, as to how it can be a strength and not a weakness in your lives,. We can achieve the impossible.”
Now available to purchase on Amazon, Marcus has produced a short teaser trailer animation, using digital software, for the book, including music and special effects.
“Last year I wrote and illustrated my first children’s book, Zooland: A Sign of Hope,” said Marcus. “I wanted to build on that by writing a longer story but also to develop my digital animation skills as I would love to produce an animated movie one day.”
As an entrepreneur, Marcus started his own business CoolArt2021 three years ago, which was inspired by combining his love of art and design with wildlife and the natural world. Today he draws and creates a range of colourful, animal-themed greeting cards that are sold through his online store.
Through his passion for business, Marcus is part of The Lilac Review, which launched earlier this year and seeks to identify the barriers faced by disabled-led businesses in the UK, and to develop an action plan to remove them. He has also taken part in the first three Unified Business projects delivered as a partnership between Special Olympics GB and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.
Here, Special Olympics Great Britain athletes worked closely with staff at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners on the launch of Christmas gift boxes for its corporate partners, and on items to support athletes taking part in the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin last year and the Special Olympics GB National Winter Games, which took place earlier this year.
Special Olympics GB uses the power of sport to transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, providing regular training and competitions. Operating in England, Scotland and Wales, the charity has more than 6,600 athletes benefitting from opportunities in 27 different sports, which are delivered by a devoted team of 3,800 volunteers.