Eric Heath

Eric is a young man with Asperger's syndrome and has other disabilities including the physical disability, dyspraxia. This does not stop Eric living a full life and contributing to society. Eric is a keen disabled cricketer and sportsman, playing for Shropshire County Disabled Cricket Team. He is also a musician specialising in composing ambient electronic music. In addition Eric e is a mentor and role model for young people and adults with Asperger's syndrome here in Shropshire. He has supported over 10 people with Asperger's syndrome to move on in their lives and has helped some with the condition to move towards employment. and self employment. Eric is also a 'lived experience' trainer ie he trains mental health and other staff in the condition of Asperger's syndrome from his own unique experience and has now trained over 400 professionals to understand the difficulties people with Asperger's syndrome face in their lives. Asa volunteer for the last 7 years, Eric has transformed the lives of many other young people and adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome in Shropshire (not far from where the Olympic Games were first founded) by helping to run Autonomy, our local self help group. Eric is positive, supportive, assertive, patient, loyal and and a true role model for our members. He has overcome his own disability to support others with the condition and is an outstanding person. I fully support Eric's nomination to be a torch bearer in the Olympic Games of 2012.