“Passion is oxygen of the soul.” - Bill Butler. James who lives with Multiple Sclerosis and is confined to a wheelchair and has always been passionate about learning new delicious and healthy recipes. This has helped him to eat the right way, enrich his soul and share wonderful and memorable times with family and friends. He uses adaptions and finds simpler ways to make his fantastic cooking easier. His websites has excellent tips and yummy recipes.

What do you love the most about cooking?J: It's a way of expressing yourself. I look on cooking as an art form if you like. The canvas is constantly changing by what you cook or the ingredients you choose to select and that makes it very therapeutic. It's obviously good for the body as you fuel it correctly but it helps enrich your soul too. There are few things better in life than the aroma of fresh spices & herbs filling your kitchen and the look of contentment of friends and family tucking in to your food. If anything it's the elixir of life.

What kind of challenges do you face while cooking?J: I live with Multiple Sclerosis and am confined to a wheelchair. The condition affects my dexterity and can often leave me fatigued but don't think that has ever stopped me. As with all mountains they are there to be climbed so I tend to do all my cooking when my energy levels are at their peak which tends to be in the morning. I use adaptions where necessary and am always looking for ways to make my cooking easier. The best I've found has been the training of my wife Julie who has become an excellent cook. We often cook together which is great.

What is your favorite dish? How do you usually come up with an idea about a dish?J: That's a tough question - there are so many. I suppose my favourite dish is a Burmese beef curry but I love to cook with any ingredient and conjure up some magic. Most ideas come from watching TV, reading and visiting new places and tasting their food and learning about the flavours. London where I live is so multicultural so you can normally pick up what you want so the world is your oyster as they say.

Who is your favorite celebrity chef? Have you ever tried to reinvent his/her famous dish?J: I like watching Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Some of the food looks mouthwatering but the portion sizes are beyond me. Watching the show has definitely improved my barbecue skills. I always brine my meat which makes it so succulent and flavoursome. My favourite chef back home will always be Keith Floyd who has sadly passed now. He just used to take mediterreanean food to another level and always with a glass of wine to hand. He was a born eccentric and his shows were brilliant to watch.

What is your favorite cuisine to cook?J: Wow another toughie. I think it depends on my mood and what's in my larder but I don't have any specific favourite. One day I might be putting together Mexican fish tacos the next a Thai green curry. What I try to do though is vary my diet so that everything is eaten in moderation and that I don't fall back to cooking the same dish always. Herbs & spices have many healing properties and of course add flavour & colour, so they are a big part in my culinary planning.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?J: My favourite country is Spain and its islands. They are a very earthy people and my 100 words of Spanish seems to get me by. I love their dry climate and immersing myself in its warm sea as it helps my condition. I also adore their food which has a middle eastern influence. There are few better pleasures better in life than a long Tapas lunch with a few cold beers, especially if Octopus or squid is on the menu.

What are your other hobbies?J: We have a lovely Westie called Lo-lo. I love to take her out every day using my hand cycle which attaches to my wheelchair. A lot of people stop me which always gives me the opportunity of selling my philosophy of 'Holding the line' and dealing with what you have to deal with. It's important to embrace disability as society is scared of it and that holds people back. I'm also a big football fan and diligently follow Everton who play in the Premiership and Exeter City who are currently in Division 2. Both have provided some of the happiest and saddest days in my life. It's an addiction I'll take to the grave with me. I also love to write and have had numerous articles published. One day my book about my life will be a best seller but there is always another chapter. I recently set a film company with a few mates who are all disabled and we've been getting some good work. It's great to prove people wrong when society devalues people with disabilities and we are chomping at the bit to obliterate that barrier.

Who is your inspiration?J: That will always be my parents Bill & Joyce. They are both long passed but still live on within me. He was such an inspiring person living with Type 1 Diabetes for over 30 years but never complaining and living life to the full. He enriched the lives of those around him and I'd love to follow in those footsteps. My Mum was such a loving and loyal person and quite spiritual. I was blessed to have her in my life. She was the person that gave me my soul and sense of humour.

What do you like to do when you are with your family?J: Julie & I live quite a simple but enjoyable life. We try to go on holiday a couple of times a year and take life in its stride avoiding any stress and enjoying what we've got. I have a son Connor who serves in the RAF. He's a great person and we are very close. We have the same sense of humour and are always laughing. We love to play board games and go fishing together. Everything with us is about healthy competition which we live for. The rest of my family is spread around but rest assured when we are together there is plenty of eating & drinking and merrymaking. Surely that's what life is all about

Any special message for our community?J: Oh yes. Don't ever give in and always believe. In life all of us will end up with a cross to bear or a monkey on our back, it's our duty then to carry it well. Over the years I've always told myself in the mirror every night that I'm a winner and am doing good things for people. 20 years later, this is part of my DNA. I now fear nothing ( apart from an Everton defeat ) can see through societies fog and know that my destiny is a righteous one. Knowing oneself and your capabilities means you can transcend anything once you've learnt what you are up against. There is no better feeling as it gives that zest for life we are all searching for.