Disability campaigner's TV award

DISABILITY campaigner Jonathan Levy has been recognised for his contribution to a TV film about dyspraxia – a little understood condition which affects between 5-10 per cent of the population.
Jonathan (pictured), aged 23, from Appleton, appeared on the Channel 4 series “Embarrassing Bodies” raising awareness of dyspraxia, a neurological condition which affects speech, movement and co-ordination.
A series of films aired in the series – including one involving Jonathan and dealing with dyspraxia – have won a Mind Media Award.
The judges highlighted Jonathan’s film for encouraging and engaging an audience, who might not naturally sit down to learn about mental health issues.
Jonathan said: “This is wonderful news and another milestone in my never-ending quest to raise awareness of dyspraxia, a condition which is so poorly understood and relatively unheard of, despite overlapping with autism and dyslexia, both of which are far more well-known.
“Although my Embarrassing Bodies film was very well received, my decision to appear on the programme was questioned by some people with a few claims that it would damage my career.
“To the contrary, it has made it easier to start conversations about dyspraxia and made it less of a taboo subject, while my career has continued to progress.”
Jonathan’s film was recorded at his workplace, the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Centre in Great Sankey, and near his home in Appleton, showing a range of everyday tasks that can be difficult for people with dyspraxia, such as cooking, tying shoelaces, using office equipment and crossing roads.
The film also highlighted other symptoms of the condition which can include exaggerated arm movements, poor hand-eye coordination and speech with uncontrolled pitch, volume and rate.
Dyspraxia affects between 5-10 per cent of the population – two per cent, severely.
Males are up to three times more likely to be affected than females. Dyspraxia sometimes runs in families and there are believed to be two children affected in every class of 30 children.
There are many adults who are unaware that they have the condition.
Jonathan Levy serves as a trustee of the Dyspraxia Foundation, a national charity which works to enable children, young people and adults to reach their full potential in life.
Anyone who thinks they or their child may have dyspraxia should visit www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk