Article by
Clare Mason
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Fit, Active and Proactive
By Clare Mason
As member of Local health club ‘LA Fitness’ Isleworth. Clare Mason has worked hard over many years to overcome her ‘Dyspraxia’. In this issue she has posted her story which was recently published by The Dyspraxia Foundation .
Dyspraxia could be perhaps seen as hindering your life, stopping you moving forward or standing in the way of what you want to do or achieve. It could be looked on as something positive or character building; making a person more self motivated and determined to do well.
My name is Clare Mason. I am 29 years old and have grown up with a diagnosis of dyspraxia. Despite this, I have always been determined, motivated and never given up and I am someone who has always got her way in the end.
I was first diagnosed as having dyspraxia at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital by Sally Wright. Not a lot was known about this at the time or the way it would impact upon my life in the years to come. Even as a small child I was an extremely strong and stubborn character and was very self motivated. I attended weekly physiotherapy sessions with Sally where I worked on skills such as balance, co ordination and spatial awareness. I would practice and practice these skills to the point of exhaustion, until I got them right. My parents, family and Sally were always behind me and determined I would have the same opportunities and chances in life that any child would.
When I started school at the age of 5 one of the first things I wanted to do was to make friends, to feel a sense that I was liked and accepted, sadly this was not meant to be. All I wanted was to feel included and all I felt was alone. My peers simply did not like me, in their eyes I was seen as different. From this day on I was to endure what was to be 11 years of bullying.
They did not seem to understand that I was capable of achieving what ever I set my mind to, it just took me a little longer to get there than most . I would often feel frustrated as I knew my capabilities, deep down I wanted not to feel stupid but that I was the same as everyone else. I would often spend play times on my own. All I wanted was a friend to be able to join in; sadly this was not meant to be. From day one I was looked at by children as different. Different was definitely not a good thing. I recall sports days and sporting events as extremely difficult. I would often come last in every race and this made me feel humiliated and small, I knew deep down I was not either of these.
However despite struggling at this point I refused to give up. I held my head high. Surely things would improve as I moved to secondary school. The transition between primary and secondary school was extremely hard for me. I was given a Statement of Special Educational Needs. Again this was something not taken lightly. The school had a meeting with my parents to discuss my future. It was put to them that perhaps a mainstream school environment would not be the best place for me. My parents were quiet adamant that I would have the same opportunities as any other child and that I was quiet capable of succeeding, even though it was thought, perhaps, I would be lucky if I got one of two GCSEs.
I faced the same problems as at primary school. I was not accepted by my peers and again went on to face years of bullying. I also suffered a weight problem and this made matters worse. In a desperate attempt to fit in I thought it would be a good idea to stop eating altogether. I then went down to my lowest as I still was not accepted. As a result I ended up with eating related problems and it became a case of sink or swim. I decided to become focused and move forward. With support I decided to throw myself into my work and prove people wrong about me.
As a result I went on not achieve, not one or two GCSES but nine and was more successful than some in my class who did not have dyspraxia. I then went onto college and achieved a Merit Level Diploma and went on to University where I graduated in 2000 with a 2.1 BA Hons degree. I could feel quiet sound in the knowledge that I had struggled for many years but through aiming for the top I got there and am still moving on.
I have decided in my adult life to give something back. I wish to help achieve and know this to be an attainable target as I have done it myself. I have currently spent the past five or so years working in various care settings and Special Needs Schools. I am now working at an inclusion centre ‘The Whitton Gateway’ at Whitton School. The Gateway is for children with Autism aged between 11 and 16.
I am now able to give something positive back and Whitton School and ‘The Gateway’ has helped me vastly along the way with care and support in abundance as they help me work towards a career in teaching.
I believe that I have a lot to offer and have practically overcome my difficulties. I no longer struggle at all. In terms of my future and Dyspraxia I intend to strive forward being positive. I wish to tell people that success and achievement is possible, you just have to believe you can do it.
Clare Mason is 28 years old and her parents Vivienne and Ken were part of the original group who set up the Dyspraxia Foundation (formerly The Dyspraxia Trust). Clare is currently setting up an exercise class for adults with conditions such as Dyspraxia and is writing a book about her experiences. She is happy to give talks at conferences and events. Email: clare_mason@yahoo.com for further details.