A YOUNG boy from Swindon who was born deaf and has cerebral palsy says he is speechless at being nominated for the Wiltshire Community Pride Awards.
Harry Flynn, 11, is the child with the most physical disability to be in mainstream education in Swindon. He has still gone onto confound expectations across the board. He has achieved the national expected level in all his SATs – in reading, writing, maths, science and SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar). Despite his mum Hilary being told that he might not survive early on, and even if he did, he would not be able to sit up or feed himself, he has defied all expectations.
When he learned of his nomination for the achiever award, which shines a light on the amazing people who make a real difference, he could barely contain his excitement.
“I am quite speechless,” said Harry, of Abbey Meads. “I was not expecting this at all. It is a great piece of news. I really do not know what to say but I am so happy.”
He is about to go into the secondary school called Commonweal School. This has Specialist Resource Provision, which enables children to make progress in a mainstream school on the mainstream curriculum, while providing them with a specialist intervention programme to meet their individual needs. A part of the school for 25 years, the SRP can support 20 students with an education health care plan for physical disabilities, with the help of a team of 21 specialist teaching assistants and bespoke personal care facilities.
Harry, of Abbey Meads, has cochlear implants, without which he is profoundly deaf. He had the first when he was two and a half and the second when he was in the reception class at school, aged four. The implants enabled him to learn to speak. He had managed at primary school in year one to use a communication device, but gradually his spoken communication skills developed and expanded.
His mum Hilary said: “I am a very shocked and delighted mother. I am really pleased and proud of him. It is nice to know that people recognise what a difference he makes.
“At school he showed pupils, staff and parents at the school that despite his disabilities, he can do what he puts his mind to. And not just in education but socially.
“Recently he took part in an obstacle course known as the Spartan race. Everyone was gobsmacked with his determination to do that. He shows people that although he has barriers, that does not mean you can’t succeed and thrive. I think a lot of children with Harry’s difficulties may get written off quite early. He is a real trailblazer.”
Nominations are still open for all categories including the Lifesaver Award, Good Samaritan Award, Courage Award, Charity Champion Award, Volunteer Award, Hero Award, Achiever Award, Carer Award and the Environment Award.
Nominees can have done anything, from helping out a neighbour in need to saving someone’s life. They can be made by members of the public who know someone in their community who deserves celebrating, or by the family and friends of someone who they feel deserves some recognition for what they do for their community, or for a particular act of kindness or bravery which they feel has gone unrecognised.
Three finalists for each Community Pride Awards, which are sponsored by Nationwide and supported by the Wiltshire Community Foundation, will be chosen per category by a panel of judges before the winners will be revealed.
To nominate someone visit www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/pride and follow the instructions. Nominations end on September 16.
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