Holly Barry

I want to nominate my daughter Holly. Holly didn't develop any speech or social skills as she was growing up and was finally diagnosed, at the age of five with pervasive developmental disorder (PPD) and semantic and pragmatic language disorder. She presented within the lowest 1% of scores in the numerous test the professionals did throughout these years. Holly attended a speech and language unit attached to a mainstream primary school providing intensive speech, language and social interaction therapy and has continued into mainstream secondary school. Now sixteen, Holly completed her English Language GCSE a year early and has sat (by the time you read this) a further seven GCSE predicted C or above. Although these may be considered 'average' marks Holly has spent eleven years pushing herself. Her effort is far from average. Eleven years completing therapy, programmes, etc bringing her to the point where she doesn't stand out from the crowd, she would describe herself as 'just normal'. I want her to stand out from the crowd. To feel rewarded for her effort in a way I could never provide, to shine for a day, with a torch in her hand lighting the way for others. Thank you.