Thomas Henley, Taekwondo Athlete, Student, YouTube and Aspergers Syndrome.

 

 

 

 

My name is Thomas Henley and I'm an International Taekwondo Athlete, University Science Student and YouTuber! Studying Biomedical Sciences at the University of Manchester (UK), I make regular Gaming, Autism advice, Fitness, Diet and Taekwondo videos for my channel. These videos are catered to anyone who wants to enjoy some funny gaming videos and some quality, EASY to follow tutorials.

 

My YouTube Channel can be found at the following link https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC0VOu3k-sTNze2TioZUfvNA

 

I am also a Fighter Ambassador for  Fighting For Autism.

 

 

 

As a Taekwondo athlete I have am pleased to say I am 2x National British Champion, Commonwealth Champion and Male Fighter of the Commonwealth Championships. I have also represented GB Taekwondo at the European U21 Championships in the -80kg category.

 

 

Living with Aspergers Syndrome (an Autistic Spectrum Disorder) has many challenges such as difficulty in social situations, uncertainty in reading facial expressions. In my life the hardest thing to deal with was my ability to understand my own emotions, which lead me to become very depressed and anxious. In the present day I can say I'm very happy with my life, however do frequently have to deal with constant anxiety

.

The Fighting for Autism campaign suits me very well; Taekwondo has allowed me to battle my anxiety, depression and self-esteem issues head on and ultimately made me a more social and confident person.

The Silver Medal that Thomas won this weekend at a Taekwondo Competition in London

 

Fighting For Autism - The People You Meet, and the Inspirational Stories behind them.

The People you meet, and the inspirational stories behind them.
Mark and Arlene Sproule TAMMA Martial Arts Academy over in Northern Ireland.

 

 

A few months back I was so very fortunate, to be able to sit and talk about children on the Autistic spectrum, and these wonderful people did not only know their stuff, they were phenomenonally keen on really raising the bar on accessible martial arts classes for those on the Autistic Spectrum and additional needs.

 

Mark and Arlene Sproule are two well established Martial Artists, who run a club specifically for children on the spectrum and with additional needs, they have  have 2 grown up children, who are on the Spectrum, so my senses were heightened on what the future may hold for my own son, the day I met them, they were off to collect awards at a Martial Arts seminar so I was lucky enough to grab a sneaky coffee with them whilst they were in London , as both are incredibly gifted martial artists.

 

Sitting in their company, I was told of inspirational tales of how youngsters who had joined the club, had progressed leaps and bounds, but we're also made to feel so very welcome, meeting new friends, the club has become a hub, a meeting place for so many and is run in such a way, where established students become study buddy's to those just starting their own martial arts journey.

We spoke of how their club has become a much needed place of gathering, but also something very special as this magical place, shows a sense of belonging, a place where skills and friendships are developed. Fighting For Autism would be extremely proud to work alongside such a magnificent  club.

.

 

(Paulieboy meeting up with the amazing Mark and Arlene Sproule of TAMMA Martial Arts club)

 

We went on to speak about our own children, and It was pointed out at how talented Courtney and Timothy are.
Timothy is a gifted video editor, with a flair for computers, Courtney is an artist, the pictures I was shown on that day, absolutely blew me away, seriously they are that good.

Courtney although incredibly shy, is to me a megastar in the making, her artwork is amongst the best I've seen in a long while, a way of expressing yourself through art is so highly spoken of, I explained that Fighting For Autism were looking potentially for a mascot, and some drawings were sent over.

First Courtney had to establish, what it was that we were looking for so sent over a few ideas

Then followed a few more, We asked Courtney is she could design a Tyrannosaurus Rex, with 2 Superheroes, as some of our ambassadors have a perchance for that particular dinosaur. 

 

Then the wawaeeeeeeeeeewa moment occurred!

 

 

Blown away, by what I saw, I knew that some of Fighter Ambassadors we're incredibly fond of the Tyrannosaurus Rex,
Fighter Ambassadors David Rickels, JP Gillespie and Nas "T- Rex Stowell"
Ladies and Gentlemen please have a look at the artwork that Courtney created, I think it Tyrannosauruseriffic, Courtney's incredible gift of art can also be seen on her YouTube Channel which is absolutely amazing, and we have asked Courtney to become a Voices For the Voiceless Ambassador for Fighting For Autism, Courtney and her mum Arlene are also in the process of writing their own children's books, with Arlene doing the foreword and Courtney doing the Art work

I came away with a new friendship and got to speak to 2 wonderful individuals who encompass the spirit of Martial arts and got to hear of 2 young adults on the spectrum who will take the world by storm with their Artwork.

 

Heres a link to Courtney's Artwork she is extremely gifted and talented, I'm sure you'd agree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-940fnKoI

 

the most amazing thing is that by a love of martial arts, parents, carers and those on the spectrum are beginning to talk, and become communities, whether that be with new friends overseas.

 

I wanted to say a massive Thank You, To Mark and Arlene Sproule, for being absolutely outstanding people who run a spectacular club for some awesome people, and to the ultra talented Timothy and Courtney Sproule,

 

 

 

 

Fighting For Autism, fighting for acceptance written by Claire Smith. Mother, Mixed Martial Artist and on the Autistic Spectrum

Claire Smith is a Mother, a Mixed Martial Artist and also on the Autistic Spectrum and a Fighter Ambassador for Fighting For Autism.
This is the 3rd part of her story that explains what being on the Autistic Spectrum means to her, we often get asked at Fighting For Autism, to hear about Adults on the Spectrum, and who better to write than a person on the spectrum themselves.

"Social and Personal relationships can often be difficult, exhausting and confusing for many on the autism spectrum, whilst most neuro-typical people find them fun, relaxing and enjoyable. If you work or live with a child, teenager or adult on the autism spectrum, you will recognise the difficulties they have with getting along with people, making friends and keeping all kinds of relationships going.  This is an obvious obstacle to not only their happiness but also their ability to make progress in life, to fulfil their ambition and hopes. In many cases, it is a barrier to them learning at school and earning a living, and causes withdrawal from the world which seems so alien to them. The obstacles faced by children, adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum is by far more detailed than most people would think.

Autism to most is just a behavioural problem, people don't look at the real problems or obstacle people on the spectrum face.
Having  ambition can be frowned upon. Having a dream can be laughable.
Being on the spectrum myself I find friendship and relationship are hard enough to form without people putting the obstacles there for me, people need to be more aware about the difficulties autistic people face with friends and stop alienating us.

We deserve friends, we just go a different way about forming friendships.
Hasn't everyone got the right to dream and is ambition not a good thing to have if you have a disability or not"?

Claire in Competition

Never ever give up on your dreams, you could well be the spark that ignites the flame for someone else to start chasing their dreams .

 

Huge thank you to Claire, for really wearing her heart on her sleeve and being a Voice for the Voiceless, children on the spectrum, do go on to become adults on the spectrum , Autism is not something you grow out of, but with the right people encouraging you and fighting your corner, there can be a brighter day ;-)