Kris Saunders-Stowe, who runs Wheely Good Fitness and is a group exercise instructor for Halo Leisure, including classes in Ross-on-Wye, is one of the stars of Channel 4’s new Paralympics TV commercial.

The advertisement marks the launch of Channel 4’s Superhumans campaign with the Sammy Davis Jr hit Yes, I Can. Kris appears in the film during a dance sequence, as a lifelong dance fan Kris told the Ross Gazette why the experience means so much to him.

Kris spends a lot of time working mainly with clients living with a disability and he always encourages everyone to take the ‘I can’ approach. He firmly believes that we all have the ability to do anything we want in life if we believe in ourselves and are willing to think outside the box a little to make it happen.

As a youngster his parents always encouraged him to try new things, he was always a very energetic child and had a passion for music and dance. At the age of seven, he attended his first dance lesson in ballroom and Latin American dance and was instantly hooked.

His dance teacher saw he had potential to become a professional dancer and of course his mother was very proud of his achievements. However at school each time Kris was called out to be congratulated on another medal or certificate he was picked on and this eventually escalated into bullying.

As a result Kris gave up dance but even though his dancing stopped the bullying didn’t. Kris told the Gazette that he often wondered what his life would have be like if he had carried on dancing. However, hishealth deteriorated and he lost most of the function in his legs due to a degenerative condition. The idea of dancing again faded away.

Despite his condition Kris has always been passionate about keeping as physically fit as possible. He trained as a fitness instructor and started Wheely Good Fitness, specialising in multi-ability classes. He also qualified as a wheelchair dance instructor through the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association. Then a few months ago he was invited to audition for a part in a commercial as a wheelchair dancer. Of course he said yes, as the chance to not only be involved in a commercial but to also dance ‘professionally’ was an opportunity not to be missed.

Finding out that he had been chosen to dance as part of Channel 4’s Paralympics commercial was fantastic. He said that working on the commercial has been a great experience, he has made many new friends and feels they have shared something special and iconic together.

Kris added: “The paralympics shows what you could achieve if that is your dream but I think it also shows that in all areas of life you can do anything if you believe in yourself.”

The inspiring commercial represents a wide range of abilities, the video can be seen at https://t.co/ueUs0duWOl