Sophie wants every child with complex needs to recognise their superpower in seeing the world in their unique way.
Born prematurely and living with hidden disabilities, Sophie faced many challenges throughout her school years.
“I understand what it's like being the child who thinks they are different. They just want to be like everyone else but, in some areas, they can’t. I say to anyone with complex needs that it's your superpower, and don't view it as anything less.”
It wasn’t until Sophie began studying her Level 4 in healthcare that she embarked on a personal journey, which would ultimately lead to long-awaited answers. After years of appointments, scans and uncertainty, last year, at the age of 27, Sophie was finally diagnosed with non-progressive cerebral palsy, auditory processing disorder, ADHD and dyscalculia.
The diagnosis has been life-changing for the 28-year-old from Hertfordshire, as she can now request the support she needs, but also understand how to work to her strengths.
“I always found learning, walking and talking hard. My parents tried to get me an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, but I wasn’t hitting the criteria. I've just struggled through life, trying to understand why I find certain things difficult.”
In the UK, EHC plans are offered to children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support.
Another big development in Sophie's life was discovering running.
Like many others, she started her mornings during lockdown joining Joe Wicks on YouTube for PE with Joe. In contrast to PE at school, she found his sessions very inclusive and enjoyable.
“I didn’t like doing PE lessons at school because I found it too overwhelming – and I never got picked for teams, apart from netball, but the girls in that team weren’t very supportive of me, so I never joined it.”
And Sophie didn’t stop at PE with Joe: the sessions gave her the confidence to head outdoors and get more active on her own terms. She says she finds running, “a good stress release and a good excuse to get outside.”
This September, Sophie will take on her first 10K event at the 2025 Vitality London 10,000. She set herself a fundraising target of £200 for the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, but has already quadrupled this amount and raised more than £800.
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity supports families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. When a child has a serious illness, family life is turned upside down and time becomes more precious than ever. Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker who enables them to make the most of time together, giving them practical and emotional support, whenever they need it, for as long as is needed.
The charity means a lot to Sophie, as she volunteers in the London and South East Care team for the organisation. Every two weeks, she volunteers on the neonatal wards supporting Family Support Workers. She runs sibling groups and leads activities like painting, which help children express emotions and support their learning, social, and mental development. Parents, grandparents, and carers are welcome to join in too. Families can also be referred by the head nurse to receive further support from qualified Family Support Workers.
Sophie says: “Rainbow Trust is very close to my heart. As I've had many hidden challenges, I can relate to the families they support. They might have a life-limiting or life threatening diagnosis and it’s essential to provide support to the child and the extended family as well.”
She says complex needs can be very demanding for the child, but also for the family, as there can be extensive tick boxes and waiting lists standing in the way of life-changing support.
“It can be very demanding for the parents going to the regular hospital appointments, holding down their jobs and supporting their child at home. Advocating for that child’s needs is incredibly hard, as is trying to get them a care plan and specialist provision. In my local area, it’s hard to gain admission to a specialist school because the waiting lists are so long.”
Sophie now works within the education system as a Primary school Learning Support Assistant. Now that she has her diagnosis, she is also hoping to return to university to turn her Level 4 qualification into a full degree in healthcare.
First though, she has a 10K to complete. Come Event Day, she is looking forward to the support that will carry her to the Finish Line.
“I want to take in the cheers and the crowds and focus on the finish, knowing that my running is helping families going through a difficult time. It will be a massive achievement for me as well.”
