Brave Tyler up for prize

Tyler Jessop, of Thornhill, will join youngsters from across Yorkshire at a ceremony in Leeds tonight where the Sensory Star Awards are being presented.

Despite Tyler being severely visually impaired and using a wheelchair, he attends mainstream school at Carlinghow Princess Royal, where his teachers are delighted by his progress.

Grandma Julie Eggett said: “Tyler is doing very well at school and we were thrilled when he was nominated for the award.

“He gets a lot of support from the school and from the other pupils there, he’s learning braille and everybody is very happy with how he’s doing.

“He’s very, very determined – and he’s convinced he’s going to win!”

Tyler’s Kirklees Council special needs advisor, Gerry Verbrugge, encouraged Mrs Eggett to nominate him for the award.

She said: “I met Tyler shortly after he left St James’s Hospital when he was only able to lift his left hand, he couldn’t speak and the experts said he’d never be able to learn braille.

“I’ve watched his progress over the years and what he’s achieved against all the odds is absolutely amazing.

“I’ve been teaching children with complex needs for more than 30 years and I’ve never met anyone with such determination.

“Tyler has all these problems to cope with and he’s there giving life his best shot. It’s impossible not to be inspired by him.”

Gerry started teaching Tyler braille shortly after Christmas and works with him several times a week.

She said: “He’s making fantastic progress and is already on to the eighth book. We put our faith in him and it’s being rewarded – he’ll go a long way.”

The awards are organised by Leeds-based charity CoHearent Vision.