Piers Makes the Grade!

22 Year-old Piers Gilbert, a Sunflower patient from the age of 12 until 15, donned his university mortar-board last month to receive his honours degree in Sociology from Surrey University.

If someone had told Piers when he was 12 that ten years later he would be graduating with honours from university, he would have found it hard to believe.

Schoolwork did not come easily to Piers, who was plagued by poor coordination and serious handwriting problems. These were difficult times for Piers; despite being an obviously extremely bright and intelligent boy, he was not achieving his potential at school because of his dyspraxia. In addition, his severe short-sightedness was having an adverse effect on his coordination. All of these issues were taking their toll on Piers, who was consequently also struggling with low self-confidence.  Fortunately, he was introduced to the Sunflower Programme by a tutor who was familiar with the work of Mark Mathews.

Thankfully now, the problems that hounded his school years are things of the past. When asked what he remembered about the Sunflower Programme, Piers commented, “It’s now that I notice a difference; the programme has helped me a lot, particularly my handwriting.”            
 
What does the future hold for Piers?  Well, the world is certainly his oyster now and he intends to make the most of his post-graduation freedom. He is planning to spend some time travelling to Sri Lanka and possibly Australia before settling into a new career.

All of us at the Sunflower Trust wish Piers all the very best in his travels and in whatever he chooses to do in the future!

August 2010