Anna's story in Pick Me Up magazine this week. Her book generated great interest.

Anna Kennedy
Insight – Issue 014

Discover An Inspiring Journey…

Your school days are supposed to be the best days of your life, but if your child suffers from a learning disability, autism, Asperger Syndrome, or another condition that makes them different from their peers, school can be a nightmare.

Seeing her own sons, who suffer from autism and Asperger Syndrome, endure traumatic experience, after traumatic experience at mainstream schools totally ill-equipped to cater for their specific needs, prompted Anna Kennedy to take action. Along with her husband Sean, who also has Asperger Syndrome, and the support of local councillors, local companies, charities and the media, Anna set up her own school especially for children with various forms of autism.

Hillingdon Manor opened its doors on September 4th 1999 after months of hard work and initially catered for 19 pupils aged three to 19 years old. Since its conception, Hillingdon Manor has gone from strength to strength and has help hundreds of autistic children get the education they deserve. With more than half a million people in Britain affected by autism, it is little wonder that their school, established after much heartache and hard work, quickly became over-subscribed. So, five years ago, Hillingdon Manor School expanded to open a middle and upper school, and now provides specialist education for 85 children. Visit www.hillingdonmanorschool.org.uk for more information.

Not content with creating Hillingdon Manor, Anna also helped set up the West London Community College. This small independent Training and Life Skills centre caters for specific and complex needs of students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Using a person-centred approach, they provide high quality individuals programmes for each student. Sessions offered include social drama, stress management, assertiveness and vocational skills. Applications are invited throughout the year, so please contact 01895 619700 or email administration@wlcc-uk.com

For most people, these achievements would be enough – but not for Anna. She has also helped establish the Old Vicarage Residence (originally known as St Mary’s). Opened after a complete refurbishment in 2005, The Old Vicarage is an eight bedroom residential home, in which adults with an autistic spectrum disorder can live with support from specially trained staff. The Old Vicarage is set within large front and rear gardens, giving privacy from the road. It has four communal rooms, located on the ground floor and allowing plenty of space for privacy, or to join others for a game of cards or a meal. To find out more, or to request a brochure, call 01895 454710.

Insight are not quite sure when she found the time, but as well as establishing a school, a college and a residential home, Anna has also found the time to document her inspiring story in the book, Not Stupid.

‘Not Stupid: The Heartbreaking, Inspiring True Story of one Mother’s Fight to Rescue the Lives of Her Children from Autism’ By Anna Kennedy
“When Anna and Sean Kennedy originally discovered that their sons Patrick and Angelo suffered with Asperger's Syndrome and autism respectively, they were truly devastated. Like so many parents, Anna and Sean, having been turned away by no fewer than 26 special needs schools when searching for appropriate educational facilities for the boys, were down - but not out.”

Not Stupid is a beacon of inspiration for parents of special needs children all over the country, so is Insight’s must-read book of the summer, whether you have an autistic child, know an autistic child, or just admire Anna’s determination to get the right education for her sons and other children like them.

Available from www.amazon.co.uk for just £8.99 (RRP £17.99)

Insight can’t quite believe the strength and determination of one woman, but there’s no doubting that Hillingdon Manor, the Old Vicarage and West London Community College are all amazing places that enable your child to reach their true potential, which is why we had to award them with our Certificate of Recognition for Specialist Care Services.

Editor, Jenny Smith, explained: “Anna has been through so much in order to give her child a decent education, away from prejudice and discrimination and she has done an amazing job!”