Dyspraxia Awareness week 2018

Lets raise the roof for Dyspraxia/DCD. October 7-13th.

Each year the Dyspraxia Foundation has a focused awareness week. This year is particularly special because the Charity also celebrates its 30 year anniversary, which is no mean feat for a small but national Charity that relies entirely on its membership fees and voluntary contributions for survival. That means a huge shout of THANKYOU is due to each and every member, fundraiser and ofcourse the army of volunteers who give of their time to raise awareness and support those with dyspraxia/DCD and the Charity who carries them at its heart.

It would be true to say that each and every day is an opportunity to raise awareness of this still largely misunderstood but surprisingly common condition, but a week dedicated to that focuses attention, evokes interest and highlights an important issue that is meaningful to those with dyspraxia and those that support and love them.
This year, the Charity has chosen to focus on  those of secondary school age. It will be concentrating  on mental health and will be sharing some startling results from a recent survey relating to mental health issues.

A most exciting piece of news is that Dr Who which starts on Sunday 7th at 18.45hrs  (the very first night of our awareness week) will introduce a new character who has dyspraxia. Be sure to tune in and see what that means for Ryan, one of the new Doctors trusted companions. .

This really is something of a coup. 25 years ago when I first got involved in raising awareness with the Foundation there was not even one book dedicated to the condition, and now someone with the condition will feature on a legendary and long running television production. Amazing!!!!
Indeed dyspraxia is beginning to break through in other productions. The popular Channel 4 series Ackley Bridge also introduced a character this year and there are others in the pipeline.
But it is not just on television, the Dyspraxia Foundation is making its mark with MP's who can effect change and with whom they have forged some worthwhile relationships, alongside some collaborative projects with other Charities.

Awareness week enables us to publish a press release and already there has been lots of interest from BBC radio and commercial radio channels keen to talk about the condition and share information. We will be launching new information sheets to add to our already extensive range which are free to download here https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/about-dyspraxia/information-sheets/

The Foundation has appointed its first Ambassador (your truly) and will be appointing two new Youth Champions from our wonderfully successful and pro active Youth Group who will also be publishing a book of their positive stories. Find them on Facebook  at https://www.facebook.com/groups/DyspraxiaFoundationYouth/

There is far too much to mention in a blog but I would strongly recommend that you follow the Foundation on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dyspraxiafoundation/
and twitter @DYSPRAXIAFTDN for all the latest news and stories as they happen.

   

 
So much has been achieved, but there is so much more yet to do and that is where YOU come in. Could you do something to raise awareness and much needed funding? A coffee morning, raffle, cake stall, pub quiz, tombola, sponsored event? There is lots of information free to download from our website, so you can raise awareness whilst having fun. www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk Even by wearing one of our badges you can open up a conversation.

Dyspraxia is important, more awareness is needed so that people with the condition can reach their potential and be supported to live and work successfully. Let's all shout about it next week and raise the roof for DYSPRAXIA.

Dyspraxia/DCD is a lifelong condition affecting gross and fine motor coordination in adults and children. In addition many may experience difficulties with organisational skills, memory, processing speed and, in some cases speech.