Naomi Gwynne
2017
Naomi Gwynne
Age: 9
Location: South Lanarkshire
Naomi is a passionate campaigner for inclusivity and supporting people with complex additional needs. She is autistic and knows first-hand that sometimes there is a shortfall in public services provision for young people and adults with autism.
She is also fiercely protective of her brother, Isaac, who is also autistic and visually impaired due to a brain tumour, and has severe learning difficulties and NF1 disorder. She is what her mum, Miriam, calls a ‘hidden young carer’ – supporting her brother emotionally and physically every day.
Naomi campaigned to South Lanarkshire Council to install a new accessible swing in a park near her home, so that Isaac could also use it. And so a new swing was installed for Isaac and he can now enjoy being in the park with his sister!
To raise autism awareness Naomi has also written, with support of her mum, about her struggles with attending mainstream school and eating. To date, her blog posts have been viewed 250k+ times! You can check them out on her mum’s blog at the links above, but have tissues at hand – her story is raw, honest, and touching!
Naomi has also been on BBC Breakfast talking about fidget spinners and how good they are for children with autism.