REAL LIFE: "I can't do anything"

At almost eight years old, Rory couldn't write, read or even draw. Any work his teachers tried to give him, even simple worksheets, reduced him to tears. It got so he wouldn't even pick up a pencil, or look at a piece of paper.

 

"I'm rubbish. I can't do anything!," he would say.

 

Rory had recently moved in with his grandparents after a history of abuse at home. YMCA Norfolk pastoral care worker, Jo, met with him over the course of two years, just to chat, relax, and even to play a couple of games.

It was hard work; Rory found it very difficult to speak. Jo brought in the support of outside agencies able to work with Rory as he tried to resolve some of his past, and gradual changes began to emerge.

 

One day, Rory picked up a picture of a church outline, and copied it. It looked like the original drawing! From then on, Rory began a series of church outlines, getting better each time.

 

He started to make friends, and last year Rory was chosen out of the whole school as the Head Teacher's Pupil of the Year.