Christopher
Myers
wins a
Rotary Young Citizen Award 2009
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER MYERS
The Sevenoaks Amherst Rotary Club is privileged to know, sponsor and to
nominate a remarkable young man – Christopher Myers – for
a Rotary Citizenship Award.
Chris (18) has Total Body Cerebral Palsy affecting all four limbs and restricting his mobility, independence and communication ability. He also suffers from spasms, very high tone in his muscles and strong dystonic movements that make walking, standing or sitting unaided impossible.
He is totally dependent on his wheelchair and carers to help with all his physical needs but he has enough control of his arm and head to drive a power chair, using a switch and scanner system through which he can also use a computer and environmental controls to open windows and doors and switch on lights and power points.
Due to severe swallowing and gastric reflux problems he is unable to take food orally and feeds through a gastronomy tube directly into his stomach.
He is unable to speak
but communicates effectively with eye pointing and use of his voice output
communicator device and his understanding is unimpaired and sense of humour
infectious.
Despite these medical problems Chris is an extremely bright, intelligent
and mature young man and those who know him recognize his zest for life,
enthusiasm, sensitivity, popularity, concern for others and his determination
to succeed.
Currently he is a boarding student at Valence School (Kent) - A Special Needs School with Sports College Status – where he is making great academic progress.
Due to his physical difficulties he was unable to undertake conventional GCSE courses but instead was assessed on a mixture of course work and examinations in which he was allowed extra time to produce work on a computer or dictate answers via his voice communicator to a scribe. He achieved the highest score possible in the majority of his Science exams, leading to the highest grade in his year. He was also successful in Mathematics, Design and Technology, Information/Communication Technology and Adult Literacy.
He is now following a personalised educational programme undertaking conventional GCSE courses – rare for someone with his profound level of disability – including higher level Science, Mathematics, Art, Media and Design and the Psychology of Sport. This programme is designed to lead to qualifications to enable him to achieve his goal to enter a specialist residential college to study Information Technology and Computer Software Design with the career ambition to develop programmes, software and games for disabled users. He is also keen to develop his sporting prowess.
Concerning his situation
his school comments:
“Christopher’s severe multifaceted and highly complex health,
physical and communication needs make every day tasks a huge challenge
and barrier. Any achievement is of enormous value and requires a level
of work, concentration and commitment which most people never have to
contemplate.”
Academic successes apart – other achievements include:
As a Boccia (Paralympic Sport of adapted bowls) enthusiast and potential entrant for London 2012) enthusiast he:
* Is a qualified coach and referee;
* Coaches Special Needs youngsters;
* Organises and referees junior matches at school and in a external club
and * Assisted the YMCA Boccia Officials with the Surrey Youth Games (2008) for over 100 disabled children.
Additionally he:
* Mentors (Role Model) others in the use of communication aids;
* Is valued as an ambassador for his school and clubs;
* Identified suitable games for the disabled students at his school and others from the “oneswitch.org” website and tested and advised on modifications to games and adapted controllers;
* was the first non-verbal student to “perform” an interactive speaking part in a school Christmas Production using his communication aid;
* wrote the winning entry in the Mayor of London’s competition to identify favourite disabled-friendly tourist attraction and his recommendation of the Natural History Museum was published in the Disabled Rough Guide to London;
* was awarded a Kent County Council Try Angle Award for his personal achievement in sport
and * recognized for his dedication and commitment to Voluntary Service by an award from the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.
These achievements meet the needs of others either in terms of practical support and guidance or as an example of what can be achieved given personal courage and commitment. There is no doubt that Christopher Myers meets the criteria of the award for “ young people working in their communities to improve the lot of others"
Despite his personal challenges he portrays a fine example of the concept of “Humanity in Motion”.
Accordingly, as his sponsor recognizing and admiring all that he achieves for himself and others, The Sevenoaks Amherst Rotary Club had no reservations in nominating Christopher Myers for a Rotary Young Citizen Award 2009.