A Difficult Start: “School Was Surviving”
When I met Louis, it was immediately clear that I was speaking with someone who had not only faced enormous challenges but had chosen not to be defined by them. Diagnosed with autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, and learning difficulties, Louis’s childhood was marked by misunderstanding and isolation in a system that didn’t know how to support him. But despite this, Louis now stands tall, not as someone shaped by his diagnosis, but as someone who reshaped what those labels meant for his future.
Louis openly shared that school was one of the hardest parts of his life. “School life was surviving,” he told me. Each day was a battle. He was misunderstood by many of his teachers, some of whom disregarded his work altogether, he recalled times when teachers would screw up his work in front of him, telling him it wasn’t good enough. He was bullied by peers who were never taught to understand difference or neurodiversity. No one explained to his classmates that some students find things trickier than others, or that being different isn’t something to mock, it’s something to respect and embrace.
As a young boy, Louis took things very literally and couldn’t distinguish easily between fiction and reality. There were times when he’d disappear at school, finding places to hide just to feel safe. His mum, desperate to protect him, even had to restrict his access to YouTube channels when he began copying the behaviours he saw online without fully understanding the consequences. While other children were figuring out how to socialise or what they might do at the weekend, Louis was simply trying to get through the day.
A Mother’s Love and a Lifeline
But despite all of this, his mum never treated his diagnoses like a life sentence. She didn’t see labels, she saw challenges, and she faced them with love, fierce advocacy, and unshakeable belief in her son. Louis says what kept him going in the darkest times was telling himself that one day, he wouldn’t have to see those people again. That this chapter would end. And it did.
However, the impact was real and lasting. The emotional distress Louis carried from school, combined with personal family issues, led to a mental health crisis. He became suicidal. He self-harmed. For a time, it felt like the only way out. But through the unwavering support of his mum and the slow, careful rebuilding of his self-esteem, Louis found a new path.
The Turning Point – A New Chapter
Everything changed in 2015. With the right support around him, Louis began to thrive. He completed a Level 3 apprenticeship in equestrian care and gained a Level 3 coaching qualification in tennis. Today, he teaches horse riding at The Haven in Saxilby, a place he co-founded with his mum, Kim, and coaches tennis as part of the Special Olympics. Most recently, Louis qualified for a national competition at Wimbledon this August - a huge milestone and testament to his incredible journey. He’s now also in the process of joining the skiing team. Louis owns his own home, is looking for his second, and travels regularly. He’s a natural sportsman with a big heart, and his mission is simple: to help others, to inspire, and to show that the right support really does change everything.
What Louis Wants Schools to Know
When asked what he wishes teachers had done differently, Louis was reflective but firm. “My vulnerabilities made me a target,” he said. “I wish someone had taken me out of situations that weren’t suitable for me.” He believes schools need to offer more inclusion, real inclusion. His suggestions are simple but powerful: run social interaction groups, offer lessons in positive relationships and social awareness, teach students how to understand the minds of their peers with diagnoses. In short, create school environments where no child is left behind, emotionally or socially.
The Message: Don’t Give Up
Louis’s story is a powerful reminder of how crucial the right support and awareness can be. Too often, children like Louis are misunderstood, mislabelled, and left without the help they need. But his life is living proof that labels do not define a person. With love, belief, and purposeful support, young people can rise above what others expect of them.
Today, Louis is proud of who he is. He’s proud of what he’s overcome, and he wants other children and their families to know that things can get better. He encourages others to keep going, to fight for what they need, and to never give up.
“When you push through with the right support and find something you love,” he said, “you can find happiness again.”
Louis did. And now, he’s making sure others can too.
Next Month's Blog - Stay tuned for more updates and next month's blog which will be '“Walk and Talk: The Power of Community for Parents of Children with SEND”
This blog will explore the heart behind our monthly Walk and Talk sessions - why they were created, who they’re for, and the real impact of simply connecting with others walking a similar path. We’ll dive into the importance of community for parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), how shared experiences can reduce isolation, and why taking time for yourself matters more than ever. Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, fighting for support, or just feeling alone, this blog is a reminder that you’re not. And we’re walking beside you.
Walk and Talk in Lincoln – July’s date and location will be announced soon. Stay tuned!
