What Is Dyspraxia?
Tom’s story
I was born on August 31st meaning that I started school when I had only just turned 4. Bearing in mind that I am dyspraxic this made the start of life at school challenging. I repeated reception and quickly fell behind other pupils. Fortunately, a teaching assistant who I worked very well with and showed …
Sarah – a determined young person
I am Sarah; I am almost 22 and was diagnosed with mild dyspraxia when I was around 10/11 years old. In July 2011 my sixth form teacher asked us if anyone of us wanted to take part in sail training residential with Tall Ships Youth Trust onboard their Brig Stavros S Niarchos sponsored by HSBC. …
Rosie’s story
Ever since I was a child, difference has always surrounded me. I’ve always been very tall and if you add to that a mix of clumsiness and lack of coordination, it made me stand out like a sore thumb. I was always the one who was last at sports day, the person nobody wanted on …
Maxine’s story
From an early age, there was a sense something might not be quite right with me. I was an exceptionally premature baby and needed several life-saving operations. At primary school, although I was an avid reader, children who hadn’t spoken to me thought I was stupid.
Leighton’s story….via his Mum
Leighton was born very very early, in fact, 11wks early. On his 2nd day, we were told he wouldn’t survive. He would stop breathing up to 30 times a day but he held on and days turned into weeks and at 9 weeks old we brought him home. Every 2months we had to go to …
Kieran’s story
I was born twenty-seven years ago and my first couple of years at primary school were very difficult as I couldn’t do the cutting and arty things you do at that age. Strangely enough, I had good balance, although little ball control skills!
Gill’s story
Joe was born normally at the right time and he seemed to be developing well although he was a little slow to walk. It was his speech that alerted me to the fact that he might have a problem, but I was told repeatedly that he would ‘catch up’ and not to worry.
Emma’s story as a mum
Straight away I can that I firmly believe the difficulties Kat has faced have helped her to become a wonderful, caring and empathetic person. She believes she has no self-confidence and very often she will think she is ‘nothing special’
Emma the MP
I was elected as the MP for South Shields in 2013. As far as I know I am the first Member of Parliament to ever talk publicly about their dyspraxia. I’m sure there are others who have sat in Parliament before me with dyspraxia, but they either weren’t aware that they had the condition or …