A man born with a rare condition that means he cannot smile or blink has published his first book, a memoir of his experiences while growing up.

Jack Marshall, 28, wrote The Boy Who Can't Smile after being told when he was a child that he would never amount to anything.

"Doctors said I would never be able to walk or talk," he said. "I was written off by professionals, who couldn't see past my disability."

Marshall, who lives Belton, Lincolnshire, and regularly visits his sister in Stoke-on-Trent for respite breaks, has Moebius Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that has left him with no facial nerves.

He was also born without some of the cerebellum part of his brain, affecting his balance and coordination, is blind in one eye and has reduced hearing.

Having been told by a primary school headteacher that he could only attend part-time, due to being unacademic, Marshall went on to defy the odds.

His mum took him out of his primary and found a place at another school, which suited him much better.

He went on to go to college and university and gained a masters degree in criminology and criminal justice.

"Thankfully, my mum and my sister are very strong women, and have always been my biggest supporters and advocates," he said.

He has subsequently gone on to complete the National Three Peaks challenge and a skydive as well as becoming an active campaigner for disability rights.

In 2019 he was recognised with a British Empire Medal in 2019 for his fundraising.

Marshall now volunteers for Caudwell Children a charity set up by entrepreneur John Caudwell to support disabled and neurodivergent children and their families.

Marshall was supported by the organisation himself and has become a regular volunteer at their Kids' Activities Club in Keele, Staffordshire.

"We were privileged to be able to support Jack, and extremely grateful that he's now giving back to our cause as a brilliant volunteer," said activity programme manager Kayleigh Williamson.

"Jack's memoir is an inspiring story of resilience, family, identity, and what can be achieved, with the right type of support."

"Caudwell Children funded a Strike Force Football Powerchair, which has enabled me to pursue a hobby I really love," Marshall added.

It's opened so many doors for me; I've played competitively, made friends, and I've travelled to new parts of the country."

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