Charis’ fundraising story

Charis Hawkley’s journey with Dyspraxia Foundation

I was not diagnosed with Dyspraxia until I was 18 studying history at Nottingham Trent University. I had a difficulty in gaining my diagnosis originally. When I was 17 studying for my A-Levels my history teacher and psychology teacher suggested that I take a test to determine if I was neurodivergent due to noticing that my handwriting was erratic. It was determined that I could type my exams as I scored high enough to be classed as neurodivergent. The history teacher stated that he believed I was dyslexic and that he would support me in gaining my diagnosis by providing an official letter. I went to a dyspraxic centre and completed a survey, I then when to see an educational psychologist where I received the diagnosis Dyslexia with Motor neurone Dyspraxic tendencies. As a result, I was able to receive 25% extra time on my exams, two extra weeks with my essays, the right to request notes from professors and extra time with library books.

I was not aware of the Dyspraxia Foundation until the pandemic in 2021. I found the foundation by searching for dyspraxia on google out of curiosity. I found the foundation straight away to be a great addition to my life and it was like I was missing something without even being aware. The Dyspraxia Foundation particularly Claire Cripps has proved me with a community to discuss anything and everything. I enjoyed being part of the foundation so much that in 2022 I applied to be a Youth Champion and I succeed in gaining the role. Youth Champion would prove to be my first volunteer role within the foundation. I enjoyed the role as it served as a way to both gain from and provide for the foundation. Being a Youth Champion meant that I could provide my views on what the Dyspraxia Foundation needed as a dyspraxic youth. In 2022 I would also win the Matthew Hunt Award for services to the Dyspraxia Foundation and the wider dyspraxic community. I was given the award for my work as a youth ambassador and because of my dyspraxia articles. In 2022 I also made the shortlist for the Student Publication Awards for my article ‘We are Dyspraxic and we are sick of judgment.’ A lot of the viewpoints and stories within the article came from other members of the dyspraxia foundation. I enjoyed providing a platform for other dyspraxic individuals to express how the felt and I was disappointed when the article did not win.

In 2023 I was asked by Claire to attend a dyspraxia celebration event to showcase my fencing. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet other dyspraxic individuals as I had no experience of being with others like myself. In 2024 I began as the first ever editor for the new dyspraxia foundation blog, a position I developed with the new CEO Lucy Owen due to my prior experience. In 2024, I will also be starting a Warwickshire adults social group as I felt lonely as an adult with dyspraxia like plenty of others my age. I also took up a place in the adult focus group in 2024, I was honoured to have many chances this year to assist in shaping the offer from the Dyspraxia Foundation. I attended Shropshire local group to talk about my life and experience as an adult with dyspraxia to a small group of parents and children with Dyspraxia. I also decided that in 2024 I wanted to find an opportunity to give back to the foundation that had provided me with so many opportunities to better myself and to interact with others like myself. I decided in January that I would set myself a challenge to walk 100 miles in February and aim to raise £70. As of now I have currently raised £110, which is more than I could have ever hoped for. I am undertaking this challenge so that the foundation can continue to provide for the dyspraxia community. Dyspraxia Foundation is the only charity within the UK that is focused on Dyspraxia and as a result the charity means a lot to individuals who do not fit in elsewhere. The challenge is the least I can do to provide back to the foundation that provided me with a way to get to know myself and my dyspraxia.

Take a look at my fundraising page:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/charis-hawkley-dyspraxiafoundation