Teenager Mikey Akers wins award from Prime Minister for dyspraxia awareness work - The Coventry Observer

Teenager Mikey Akers wins award from Prime Minister for dyspraxia awareness work

Coventry Editorial 22nd Oct, 2017   0

A teenager has received praise from the Prime Minister and a Downing Street award for raising awareness about verbal dyspraxia.

Mikey Akers founded campaign organisation ‘Mikey’s Wish’ in 2015 and has since raised awareness of the condition while supporting those that suffer from the speech disorder.

The 16-year-old, who was diagnosed with verbal dyspraxia when aged two, was inspired to raise awareness about the condition after hearing about the difficulties his mother experienced when trying to find support.

His hard work has led to him picking up the Points of Light Award. The daily award recognises outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community.




Mikey, from Coventry, received the award at an event organised by the ‘Dyspraxia Foundation’ in Solihull to mark Dyspraxia Awareness Week.

Prime Minister Theresa May said in a letter to him: “Through ‘Mikey’s Wish’ you are raising the visibility of verbal dyspraxia and ensuring that other people with the condition are supported.


“You should be incredibly proud of your achievement in creating your own organisation at such a young age, despite your own personal challenges with the condition.”

Mikey wrote a poem about his struggles with verbal dyspraxia and now has a blog that supports fellow sufferers and their families.

He has also raised more than £5,000 for the ‘Dyspraxia Foundation’ as well as funding speech therapy for four students in his primary school.

He said: “I am surprised and honoured to be recognised for such a prestigious award from the Prime Minister.

“I originally wanted to raise awareness about the condition so I didn’t feel so isolated.

“But I’ve realised through the responses I’ve received just how many people are affected.”

Mikey became the 799th winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the Points of Light programme in the USA.

Eleanor Howes, chief executive of Dyspraxia, said: “We are delighted that Mikey’s work to raise awareness of verbal dyspraxia has been recognised with this special award from the Prime Minister.

“Mikey is an inspiration to other young members of the Dyspraxia Foundation and his passion for helping others to understand verbal and motor dyspraxia is an inspiration to all who know him.”

 

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