Hazel Carr 
Born in Corbridge, Northumberland

I am a proper Geordie and was born on the Tyne, (well not on it, but the maternity hospital was next to the river). My star sign is Pisces, which is probably the reason why I am artistic and love fish. My family moved to Holmfirth near Huddersfield when I was twelve, and I attended the local High school. I left with an O-level in Art and 5 GCSE’s. After leaving I became a window-dresser. I could have trained as a flower arranger or a hairdresser, but those jobs had gone. Careers at that time were not based on your qualifications. I married my beloved Bernard and moved to London to live with my husbands Father, worked in Oxford Street as a window dresser. Living in Soho broadened my mind (and eyes) and helped me understand and experience other cultures.

After two years my Husband and I returned to Holmfirth and I got a job as a manageress at a very trendy furniture/gift shop in Huddersfield. Three years later I had the first of my three children, a boy, then two girls. I had always liked other people’s children but once I had my own I was hooked with a passion. The minute they were born I understood an animal’s killer instinct to protect their young.

A few years later I started supporting my eldest son in class as a volunteer as he had been statemented with severe Dyslexia. He was very bright and articulate, he could read and spell but not at the expected level or pace as the National curriculum expected. He struggled to write even a sentence, but he tried his best. Looking back I feel physically sick at my memory of making him do his homework, because I too, was afraid of the wrath of his teacher.Guilt in later years has certainly made me make sure no other child suffers like he did.  

Once my youngest child started school full time I started working at the after care club, at the same school. At the same time I went back to the local adult education centre, where I attended a new course to support Mothers back into the workplace. The course was to show you all the different aspects of education and working in a school. It’s aim was for you to eventually gain a job as teaching assistant. After ten weeks I finished the course and passed which was a surprise to me as I had never liked any form of education when I was younger. When I look back at my school days I now realise that it was the wrong time for me. Puberty had too many distractions to be expected to learn as well. Now my brain was able to organise itself to learn and take care of a young family, although it was difficult. I learnt, as many Mothers do to Multi-task ( I hate that saying).

Following the course I was offered a job share to support a boy in Reception at the same school. This child had been statemented with the diagnosis of having Autism/Aspergers.

Many years ago when you saw an advertisement for a teaching assistant it said “We are looking for a kind and caring person to support a child with special needs” What they didn’t tell you was that all strategies and resources had been exhausted and they needed HELP! Big time!

Over five years I went on courses and read books on every special need I could. I learnt through theory and practical experience, an understanding and knowledge of children with Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Behavioural learning difficulties and sydromes. I also learnt the skills of photo-copying, laminating, crowd control, juggling, singing, tap-dancing, dodging projectile vomit, and how to get rid of nits. I caught every bug, virus and was de-liced,wormed and loused. I still think that sheep dips should be put at every entrance to schools.

 At the same time I kept a diary to look back at my mistakes and achievements. All the time I was noticing similarities in children’s difficulties. Tutors on courses told you these children were “under the same umbrella.” After five years the first child I supported left for High school. Whenever I work with special needs children who are slow to make progress, I am reminded of the boy with Autism/Aspergers. Even though for years he had many difficulties and I felt like giving up I remember how bad he was but he left our school a polite well balanced child and continued to progress and hopefully will manage to fullfil his true potential as a young man. I realise over the years that It was a privalage and a true honour to support this very special child as the word “special” really means that for all the children I support. 

In 2002 I went on a course by Educational pyschologist Peter Forde and Dr Tiny Aurora. Following this I started a programme of exercises daily at Holmfirth J I & N School for children with special needs and Motor Skills Difficulties. 

In 2003 I was invited to speak at the Huddersfield Dyspraxia Conference by Peter Forde about my sucess.

Later, in 2006 I held workshops at school, to enable other schools to share information and knowledge about our programme.

2007 I spoke on Radio five live about Dyspraxia and our programme to highlight “Dyspraxia Week.”

Following this in 2007 I was contacted by Dr John Rack to write an article for “Dyslexia Review.” The article was based on how Dyslexia is sometimes diagnosed in children,when Dyspraxia was the root cause.

“27 th August 2008 the programme I deliver in school and my views were highlighted in “The Yorkshire Post” .

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) had admitted how he suffers from Dyspraxia and it says it speaks to a Yorkshire woman who believes she may have a cure. Can I just say that I haven’t found a cure but I have developed, under-developed motor skills and strengthened weaknesses with early intervention. This has enabled children to then  progress and move at the pace they are expected to. I have found a preventative method that STOPS a child getting a label.

In 2008 my beloved husband died and this spurred me on to write my book (and distract me) “Dancing with Dyspraxia”.The book is aimed at ordinary people who have extra ordinary children and need help. The book sells all over the world and I have e-mails from Bali, Australia, South Africa and the list goes on. The worrying thing is people all over the world tell me no one helps them.

In 2010 I continue to hold workshops in schools to enable me to pass on the success we are having at our school. I have been to collages last year and asked “what can we do” and I have had to say “You can’t do anything,the problems have been embedded, we need to have every school developing motor skills at early intervention before problems begin” If there is a local school out there who would like to try a pilot scheme of working with older children please let me know as I would really like to try.

In June 2010 I was filmed by BBC1 Look North which our really clever IT man Steve Walden has put as a link to U Tube. I sound as though I smoke heavily but I dont. It highlights Jason who I watched from Nursry. By reception he fell over when he sat down and he was put in my small group of children with learning/behaviour difficulties. After a year he achieved everything on the programme, he was back in class with no support and working with his peers at a high level. The most significant concern regarding his behaviour was gone as children wanted to be with him and he is child you want to be with. The programme was about how he had been scouted by Manchester City because at 5 years old he showed signs of becoming a great footballer. Not bad for a child with so many gross motor difficulties. I shudder at the thought of what if he hadnt come to this school.  This year in sports day the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd children who entered the running race for year 2 were all the children who had been on my programm the year before, not bad EH! YES! WEHEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

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