A BEST-SELLING Welsh author is inspiring young readers with a new magical fantasy adventure story that celebrates difference, bravery and inclusion.
‘Anya and The Enchanted Wheelchair’ is the third children’s book written by Caerphilly County-based author and disability advocate, Gavin Clifton, who was born with Cerebral Palsy and a severe speech impairment.
Gavin, 43, of Pentwynmawr, near Newbridge, is best-known as ‘The Disabled Writer’ and writes about acceptance, kindness, disability and helping young people understand the importance of embracing differences.
The former Newbridge Comprehensive pupil is also the author of the best-selling children’s book ‘Max and the Magic Wish’, ‘Paddy and the Polar Bear Teddy’ and his autobiography ‘Cerebral Palsy & Me’.
In this first book of a brand new series, Gavin introduces readers to the character Anya, a young brave and determined girl who discovers her true strength when an ancient pendant, given to her by her father, awakens both the enchanted wheelchair and a spark of courage she never knew she had.
Anya and her loyal skunk Soopy are drawn away from the den where she lives with her father King Torus into an enchanted forest in the magical kingdom of Ravenec and confronted by a cunning sorceress, meet fantastical creatures and face daring challenges. Anya is forced to question everything she knows about her past, her abilities and who she can trust.
Through vivid storytelling and a heartwarming message of courage and self-belief, this uplifting story encourages readers to see disability not as a limitation, but as a source of strength, identity and possibility.
Gavin, who is also an ambassador for the Welsh charity Cerebral Palsy Cymru, a songwriter, blogger and inspirational speaker using assistive technology to support his speech, said he hopes to ‘empower children to feel proud of who they are.’
He said: “It is a story close to my heart. This book isn’t just about magic; it’s about seeing yourself as the hero, even when the world tells you otherwise.”
“I wanted to create a story where a young heroine with a disability leads the adventure, not as a side character, but as the hero at the centre of the magic.
“Anya’s journey is one of courage, discovery and defying limits. I wrote this book because I didn’t see myself in the books I read.”
“There were no disabled heroes, no kids in wheelchairs leading the adventure. That absence has always stuck with me so I created the story I needed.
“I want disabled children to see that their mobility aids, support needs and way of doing things, doesn’t take anything away from who they are. If anything, it adds to it.”
Filled with imagination, positivity and themes of inclusion, Gavin hopes that the story will act as a meaningful tool for families and educators, sparking conversations about resilience, diversity and self-belief.
Gavin concluded: “I hope young readers come away knowing their differences are not something to overcome; they’re something to embrace and celebrate. It’s ok to be different, your story matters.”
Anya and the Enchanted Wheelchair by Gavin Clifton is available for £6.99 from The Disabled Writer website.
