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A Man From Yorkshire Flew To Australia To Meet A Child With The Same Rare Genetic Condition As Him

Jono Lancaster refuses to be limited by his condition and wants to inspire children with Treacher Collins syndrome to live as full and happy lives as he has.

Jono Lancaster is a British man with a rare genetic disorder called Treacher Collins syndrome.

The 30-year-old, from Normanton, West Yorkshire, has made it his life's work to inspire other people who have the condition, which prevents the skull, jawbones, and cheeks from developing fully.

He flew to Adelaide in Australia in mid-November to meet a 2-year-old boy called Zackary who's also living with Treacher Collins syndrome.

Zackary's mum contacted him over Facebook when she saw he was planning a trip there. She told the Adelaide Advertiser: "[Jono] is a celebrity to us — he’s a huge inspiration.”

Arrived in beautiful Adelaide to meet this little superstar. #adelaide #australia #treachercollins #lovinglife

Lancaster told the Adelaide Advertiser: "I grew up with Treacher Collins and I kind of felt like I was on my own and I felt like I was the only one out in the world that was like me."

He explained that he's meeting children around Australia who live with the condition and he hopes to inspire them to lead full and happy lives.

I would have loved to have met somebody like myself when I was younger ... somebody who had got a job, got a partner and said to me 'these are the things you can do, you can achieve.'

Zackary's mum added:

When he said he was coming to Australia, we knew we had to meet him and it's made us so happy to see Zack meet someone like him.

He is continuing his journey around the country to inspire other children with Treacher Collins syndrome.

Had the great opportunity to meet this little cutey in Perth. #perth

This guy dunt know how to take a bad photo! He's such a cool dude. @JeansforGenes around the world.

You can follow the rest of Lancaster's adventures on his Twitter page, here.