Anna Kennedy: Supermum!
Anna Kennedy: Supermum!
Here at Insight we all wish we were a little bit more like Anna Kennedy. She is a woman who has stood up and fought for the good in her life, and she is a shining example of how you can turn things around – all you have to do is put your mind to it!
This is exactly what Anna has done for Autism. Setting up schools for those who have been diagnosed with this incurable but manageable condition, holding countless campaigns and fundraising events to raise awareness, and founding a charity that has changed so many lives, her spirit has continued to reach out and inspire others, bringing hope to more than 2 million people who are touched by autism each day.
In this special Mother’s Day feature on Anna we take a look at her busy schedule, the incredible educational structure she has helped to put in place and Insight’s Editorial Director interviews another inspirational mother.
“Anna is there whenever you want her – she’s not inaccessible. You send her a message on Facebook, send her a message on her blog or her website and she’ll get back to you. And that’s rare in this day and age. There are days then she’ll come into work and she’ll say ‘I’ve been up all night with this family trying to help them’ and it’s genuine, really genuine.” Tally Nothey, a volunteer for AnnaKennedyOnline
“After coming out the other side, I can honestly say the work she does is magical. It takes your breath away.” Isobel Bevan, Chair of Hillingdon Manor PTA
“Every time I see or hear about Anna, I am in awe. She is an inspirational mother, businesswoman and campaigner. I wish there were more Anna’s in the world!” Katherine Benson, Editor of Insight Magazine
A Woman with a Plan
Anna Kennedy is a woman in high demand! It’s no wonder her office is bursting with prestigious awards and esteemed accolades, including her newest addition of Insight’s Businesswoman of Year 2013. With a list of events that is growing daily, we take you through a handful of Anna’s plans for the next few months…
Anti-Bullying Campaign & The House of Commons
Anna has recently discovered that the House of Commons are giving her an hour to herself to speak to MPs and professionals alike. She is hoping to raise awareness of the second verse of her anti-bullying campaign, this time working with the Anti Bullying Alliance, who she met last year. The main focus of the campaign is going to be around breaktimes and lunchtimes at school, as this is when children are bullied the most in mainstream schools.
Baston House Conference
16th March
There will be free entry to this conference for parents, and Anna will be providing invaluable information and advice for everyone. From those who have recently had a diagnosis for their child to parents wishing to find out more about the school and services, there will be bags of useful advice to take away from this event. Anna as ever will be on hand to offer her wisdom and support:
“There are quite a few parents who are coming to this. I just had one lady that contacted me yesterday, her son is four years old and has been diagnosed with autism. She doesn’t know anybody and she feels really lonely and is trying to get her head around it so she wants to come.”
Raising Awareness
Anna is travelling the country throughout the year, attending talks all over the country to raise awareness and support for individuals and families affected by autism. In the next couple of weeks she will be visiting Birmingham to talk about how the Performing Arts are beneficial to those with an Autism Spectrum Condition.
“I’ll be talking about how kids and adults turn to the Performing Arts to help them. I noticed that when I did my anti-bullying campaign that a lot of kids and adults that had been bullied actually turned to the Performing Arts to help them get through it, so they might have taught themselves to play the piano or guitar, one young lad I spoke to, he wrote a book and got it published! They go into acting, singing, all forms of Performing Arts and these kids have gone into that to help them. I’d probably say about 70% of the acts that performed at last year’s Autism’s Got Talent were bullied.” Anna Commented.
Autism’s Got Talent
11th May
All of the acts have been chosen for the second year running of Autism’s Got Talent. After the smash hit show last year, Anna and her team are excited to have nearly sold out tickets already.
The show helps the performers, most of whom were victims of bullying within a school or community, use Performing Arts as an outlet to help them get through their terrible experiences. Showcasing their unique talents proved to all that there is greatness, warmth and talent to be found within the Autism Spectrum. Anna’s Colleague Tally Nothey commented on last year’s show:
“Autism’s Got Talent has been the highlight of what we’ve been doing. It was a scary thing but with Anna you don’t have time to be scared! We were walking on air after the event because you just didn’t know what was going to happen, we’re still buzzing now and that was almost a year ago! The kids, they transformed into something completely different when they were onstage and it’s just beautiful to see, absolutely beautiful. There was so much crying in the audience, it was just unbelievable! I’ve never seen so many people cry and laugh and smile and cheer, and the standing ovation at the end could have gone on all night. And now we’re already starting to sell out for this year, it’s incredible!”
Tickets are now available for this year’s show on May 11th at Mermaid Theatre London. Prices are £15 per adult and £10 per child, with concessions available on request. For more information please contact Lisa Robins on 01895 619734 or lisa.robins@thevines.org.uk.
The Autism Show
Anna will be returning to the Autism Show this June after her successful talks last year. She was also provided with the space to put on the Autism’s Got Talent show at the venue, and is thrilled to have been asked back for the same performance this year. This time the Autism Show will not only be held at the Excel in London, there will be a second show in Manchester – both of which Anna is going to be attending with the cast of Autism’s Got Talent. She commented on last year’s show:
“We had a theatre with 300 seats and it was just packed out straight away! People were complaining because they couldn’t get in, so we’ve been asked to go back again this year, it’s quite exciting!”
Not Stupid Now Available on Kindle!
Anna’s heart-warming tale of her struggle to find the right education and support for her two sons, both diagnosed with autism and Asperger’s, is now available to download on the Kindle – for just 99p! This means that it is now accessible to many more families who can take comfort in Anna’s story and advice.
“One lady downloaded it on her mobile and she said she couldn’t put it down. She finished the whole thing in one night! A lot more people are buying my book now, and I did have plans to write another one but they’ve been put on the back burner for a while – I just can’t fit everything in!” Anna told us.
Download Not Stupid now at http://www.amazon.co.uk
Check out Issue 199 for more about Anna Kennedy and an exclusive interview with Tally Nothey, another inspirational mother!
Thank you. I just received this comment on my Facebook page today’ If it wasn’t for Anna Kennedy wise words..I wouldn’t be able to get my son into the best Autism school in north Wales. Always stand your ground..never take no for an answer and take someone with you who knows education law!!!’
“Anna Kennedy: Supermum! Insight Magazine” truly enables me personally imagine
a tiny bit more. I treasured each and every particular element of it.
I appreciate it -Elena