Wilson Mills-McBeth is one enchanting child.

His face has already  earned him a contract with the inclusive modelling agency Zebedee UK, while his mission in life is to throw himself wholeheartedly into absolutely everything that comes his way.  And if this means having to overcome a particularly difficult challenge, the invincible eight-year-old will storm onwards with a passion and unquenchable zest for life that defines his character so distinctly.

But what makes Wilson’s achievements even more laudable is the fact that he has Down Syndrome.  

This month Wilson, who lives in Saundersfoot, has been selected by Dragon Den victors ‘Stand Out Socks’ to take part in their Empowerment project. This gives people in the community who have any form of disability the opportunity to show society that despite those disabilities, their obstacles can be overcome and their goals can be achieved.

“Wilson is one extremely determined little boy who tries so hard at everything he does, and he has  a determination to do things just as well as his siblings,” his mother, Sara, told The Pembrokeshire Herald.

“And this is because Down Syndrome isn’t an illness.  People don’t suffer from it, they just have it.  And as a family, we want to change people’s perceptions and lose the stigma about having a disability.  It’s ok to be different, and Wilson is far more capable than many people realise.”

Four years ago Wilson, with the help of his family, began sharing images and accounts of his everyday life on social media via his  Facebook and Instagram accounts, where he’s known as ‘Wilson Pretty Fly For a Small Guy’.

“The idea was to include images and stories of all his achievements, but also his not so great days, so that people could get an insight into what life is like for a little boy with Down Syndrome.

“Children with Down Syndrome aren’t always happy, as society often thinks they are. They have the same feelings and emotions as everyone else and Wilson can be your typical stroppy and stubborn eight-year-old.

“There are lots of things that Wilson can do, but there are also very many things that he struggles with. But we know that with his determination and a little bit of help along the way, he’ll get there.

“But obviously he’s being helped by his siblings who are very close to him in age but also in helping him come on board and throw himself into whatever it is that they’re doing.  If his older brothers can do it, then what’s stopping Wilson from doing it too?”

It was this all-embracing ethos that was presented to the Dragon Den judges by Christian and Ross Laing who were eager to show society that people with disabilities are just as capable of holding down careers and entrepreneurial projects as anyone else.

“Ross has Down Syndrome yet despite the fact that he was extremely enthusiastic and more than capable of holding down full time employment, no one was prepared to give him a chance,” explains Sara.

So the brothers formed ‘Stand out Socks’ and sold their idea to Dragons Den, winning the backing of entrepreneur hosts Peter Jones and Steven Bartlett. Their name comes from the fact that people with Down Syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21, while chromosomes resemble small socks

“Only 5% of people with disabilities are in paid employment, and this again is something that we’re trying so very hard to change,” said Sara.

“As we’re seeing with Wilson, his enthusiasm for everything that comes his way is exceptionally strong and he’s more than capable of carrying out those tasks and completing them.”

Earlier this month Wilson, who is a pupil at Ysgol Hafan y Mor in Tenby was chosen by ‘Stand out Socks’ to take part in their Empowerment Project where his task is to sell 100 pairs of socks in the run up to World Down Syndrome Day on March 21.   The socks are priced £4 for children and £7.50 for adults and are available in a selection of bright designs. He is the sole person in Pembrokeshire selected to take part.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Wilson to kickstart his mini entrepreneurial journey and, as we would expect, he’s thrown himself into it with tremendous energy.  But this is very much a team effort, and Wilson’s brothers are putting as much effort into it as he is himself. They’ve all been creating ideas on how to market the socks, they’ve designed some flyers and posters and he’s even made a little stall out of boxes.  So my kitchen is currently in chaos.  

“But the whole aim is to help people and children like Wilson get their foot in the door of making their entrepreneurial ideas work and getting the recognition that they so greatly deserve.

“The brothers are now starting to operate their own fully fledged little business, and it means so much to us, as a family, that they’re helping to get the message out into the community.”

All proceeds from Wilson’s  sock sale will go  to The Sibling Group, Pembrokeshire and any excess money will go towards a deposit on a tricycle for Wilson.

“This is a fantastic charity that provides support to children aged between 7 and 18 who have a sibling who’s been diagnosed with a disability, a chronic illness or additional needs,” explained Sara.

“They get taken on trips every month, and once a year they go on a residential overnight stay.  A lot of these siblings are carers themselves, so what The Sibling Group is providing to them is invaluable.”

Meanwhile Wilson’s socks can be purchased via his Facebook and Instagram accounts.  His older siblings have also been given permission to sell them at a stall at their school at Caer Elen in the run up to World Down Syndrome Day.

“The sole purpose  is to change the way that disabilities are being regarded so that we can promote inclusion and start losing those outdated, old fashioned stigmas,” concluded Sara. 

“Wilson is just a little boy trying to make a big difference in society.”