Brian Abram’s an author from Halifax, writing children’s books about the adventures of his alter-ego Grandad Wheels and his grandson Charlie. The message of the stories is simple – being disabled is no barrier to having fun, even if you need a wheelchair to get around.
Brian was involved in a bike accident in 2013, which left him as a full-time wheelchair user. He spent a year in the Spinal Unit of Wakefield’s Pinderfields Hospital. Brian’s now committed to supporting those who helped him, and donates all the proceeds of book sales to charities that support disabled people.
In 2021, Brian released two new books: Grandad Goes For Gold, featuring Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft, and Grandad In The Grotto, a Christmas special.
We caught up with Brian to find out more about his books, and his plans for the future.
What kind of feedback have you received from your new books?
Based on reactions when I’ve read it in schools, kids love it. The idea of a grandad in a wheelchair beating a Paralympian champion is a bit daft, but then so are all my stories!
What are your plans for 2022?
At this stage I’m not sure when the next new book will be published. I’ve written six stories in all and there are two left to be made into physical books.
My illustrator’s doing a PhD and this is a very busy year for her, so we’ll have to see. If we do get one published it’ll probably be in November. But I’m very much concentrating on school visits this year.
Tell us about your inspiring work with schools.
I do school visits within a 90-minute drive from Halifax. Unfortunately my disability means I can’t really go much further afield. But thanks to Zoom, I can do ‘virtual visits’ anywhere in the UK, or beyond.
During the visit I talk about disability and wheelchairs in a light-hearted way, and I answer any questions the children might have. They don’t hold back I can tell you, but I like to give them proper answers.
I read a story for them, but the most fun bit is getting them to design me a futuristic new wheelchair. Some of their ideas are fantastic: rocket boosters, wings, and even food dispensers! You name it, they’ll add it.
Fundraising plays a big part in your life, and you’ve raised an incredible amount so far. Tell us more about the charities you’re supporting and why they’re important to you.
The Spinal Injuries Association and Back Up do so much good work for those of us who’ve suffered a spinal injury. They focus on the very specific needs we have. They helped me a lot when I was rehabilitating in Pinderfields Hospital, and I remember Back Up came to do a wheelchair skills course to help us. It was good to learn how to get about in a safe environment from people who were actually in wheelchairs themselves.
You’re active on social media, including your YouTube channel. What do you enjoy about connecting with people online?
I do a bit on Facebook, but I use Twitter mainly as this is a place where many teachers connect with each other and share information. I don’t spend anything on marketing and promotion so this ‘word of mouth’ platform is essential.
What difference has the support you’ve had from Irwin Mitchell made?
Quite simply it makes all the difference. If I had to cover all my costs there’d only be a very small amount left. The help I get means I can pass on every penny I earn from book sales and school visits to the charities I support.
We’ve raised over £28,000 now, which isn’t bad bearing in mind we’d only been live for a few months before the pandemic hit. Lockdown stopped me going into schools for most of 2020 and a good part of 2021.
What skills does a good author need?
I’m not sure I’m really qualified to answer that. I had a very specific reason to start writing.
But I tell children it’s all about the strength of the idea. If the idea’s good, people will want to read about it! If the idea is weak then no number of words will make it interesting.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start writing for the first time?
Well, don’t over-think it initially, and try to put yourself in the reader’s shoes. You’re writing for them, not yourself.
And like I said, if the idea’s good you’ll find the words will flow. If you’re struggling then maybe the idea isn’t good enough.
What’s been your proudest moment to date and why?
When I started writing, I made a promise to my grandson Charlie that one day we’d see ourselves on a book cover in a real book shop. He’s the inspiration for my writing, so it was fantastic to take him to the Book Corner in Halifax Piece Hall to see our first book in the window. I shed a tear that day, I can tell you!
What would be your dream achievement as an author and why?
I want to keep building on what I’m doing. I’m always hoping for that ‘big break’ that’ll help me reach a wider audience, and help me raise more for charity.
But I’m also absolutely convinced that my stories would make a brilliant animated cartoon series for children’s TV. That’d be awesome!
Is there anything else you’d like to add or think we and our readers should know?
Buy my books please!
Your children or grandchildren will love them, and every penny you pay will help two charities that really make a difference to the lives of disabled people.
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