What do you do?
I’m a 17 year old sixth former who campaigns for all children to be taught to read and write regardless of their educational label or disability through the charity I founded, Teach Us Too. I’m also a poet and a Christian.
What has been your greatest achievement?
When I was 12 my memoir, Eye Can Write, was published.
What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
For non-verbal children and young people like me the biggest challenge is the lack of ambition and expectation we experience in education: some people believe that learning to read and write is unattainable for us. In order to be taught literacy I had to be removed from special school and taught at home.
Who was your role-model growing up?
Whenever I meet Justin Welby I am struck by his humility, humanity and hope.
What do you think would help more adults with CP achieve their ambitions?
A society which values all its citizens for what they bring in all the glorious diversity we have to offer. As disabled people we need space and confidence to show society what that looks like. That’s why organisations like the UP Movement are so important – our voices are stronger together.