Luke Berry

As his geography teacher, I first met Luke in 2007 when he was a year 5 student. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with epilepsy and missed most of the next academic year of teaching. He has since returned to school over the past three years but is still sufferring consdierably from his condition. Now I do not wish to nominate Luke because he has epilepsy. Moreover it is the attitude at which he approcahes his illness and the selfless attitude that he demonstrates. In light of his condition he has started his own website which offers advice and support to other epileptics. More recently he has been made the first ever National Epilepsy Champion, an accolade and role that he will modestly accept and no doubt continue to inspire other people; children or adults alike. What makes Luke stand out from the others is that, yes he has epilepsy, but more to the point it is what he has done in light of his diagnosis while medics still endeavour to find a suitable course of medicine for him. Luke is one the most gracious, diligent, thoughtful and motivated young men that is an inspiration to many that he has met and that he has touched through his other pursuits. In short, if you search for 'Luke Berry epilepsy' on google you will get an idea of quite how fantastic this young man is and it was be wonderful to celebrate this by being a torchbearer.