Callum Holmes’ Story

Manchester, England

Callum Holmes is the youngest of four siblings and comes from Manchester, England. He was raised in a hardworking, close-knit family, shaped by parents who believed deeply in compassion, perseverance, and pride in who you are. His mum has supported him every single day of his life, and his late father was immensely proud to have a son with Moebius syndrome. That foundation—love, resilience, and belief—has guided Callum ever since.

Early Life and Finding His Way

Callum was born six weeks premature and spent his first weeks in intensive care. Feeding didn’t come easily at first, but as many people with Moebius will tell you, persistence quickly becomes second nature.

He was born with deformed elbows and, at a young age, had both of his little fingers removed. His speech was significantly affected, and doctors told his family that he would never walk or talk. His mum refused to accept that as the final word.

Callum went on to attend nursery and primary school, then college, where he discovered performing arts. That passion carried him forward to university, where he graduated with a degree in performing arts—an achievement once considered impossible.

Turning Fear into Strength

Speech was always Callum’s biggest fear. As a child, he often had to repeat himself and worried about being understood. At the age of twelve, he made a decision that would change his life: he leaned into acting and performance.

Through daily practice—learning lines, working on delivery, and building confidence bit by bit—his speech improved. Over time, performing became not just a skill, but a place of freedom. Callum went on to create and perform his own theatre pieces, including one centered entirely on Moebius syndrome. Sharing that story on stage remains one of his proudest achievements.

Everyday Life

Football has always been a huge part of Callum’s life. He has attended Bolton Wanderers matches for more than eighteen years and proudly describes himself as loud and unapologetically present.

Acting lessons helped unlock his confidence, and once he found his voice, everything else followed. While he didn’t enjoy socializing much as a child, today he loves spending time with friends and family. Performing is still his happy place, and his family remains his biggest source of support.

What Brings Joy

For Callum, joy comes from making other people happy. Making someone smile feels like purpose to him—something he believes he was put here to do.

He also loves food, coffee, and humorously admits that life would be very different without caffeine.

Hard Days and Growth

Callum developed anxiety at a young age, something he continues to navigate. He approaches it the same way he approaches life: one day at a time, always learning, always working on himself, always moving forward.

Progress, for Callum, isn’t about perfection—it’s about growth.

A Message to Others

Callum shares this message with the world:

Be true to yourself. Don’t change for anyone. Be proud to be you.

He also adds:

Living with Moebius means meeting the world with courage every single day—even on the days when courage shows up late and needs a coffee first. Every day is a new page, not a rerun. If today feels heavy, that’s okay. Down days don’t mean you’re failing; they mean you’re human.

The Moebius community is always there—steady, understanding, and ready to catch you when you need it. Never be afraid to reach out. Living with a disability isn’t easy, but it builds strength, empathy, and perspective that most people never get to know.

And honestly? I wouldn’t change it for the world.

The Voice of the Moebius Syndrome Community – mfoms.org