Supporting people with Speech, Language and Communication needs
Support Mikey's Wish Foundation to help those in need
Supporting people with Speech, Language and Communication needs
Support Mikey's Wish Foundation to help those in need
Mikey's Wish Foundation
Supporting Speech and Language Needs
Mikey's Wish Foundation works to advance health and provide relief for those with speech, language, and communication needs. We offer speech and language therapy, specialist training for therapists, informational resources, and raise public awareness about the impact of these needs.
Who We Are - Mikey's Wish Foundation Trustees
Mikey Akers
Georgia Leckie
Louisa Akers
I was diagnosed with verbal dyspraxia (now known as childhood apraxia of speech) when I was 2 and a half, the worst case my speech therapist had ever come across. I never met anyone who shared the same diagnosis, so at 13 I started a Facebook page to raise awareness.
For the last 10 years I have actively been raising awareness through sha
I was diagnosed with verbal dyspraxia (now known as childhood apraxia of speech) when I was 2 and a half, the worst case my speech therapist had ever come across. I never met anyone who shared the same diagnosis, so at 13 I started a Facebook page to raise awareness.
For the last 10 years I have actively been raising awareness through sharing my story. I noticed the struggle families like mine had to access the speech and language therapy that they so desperately need. The therapy that will ensure they have a voice. I wanted to help and through the work I have been doing, I’ve made great connections around the world.
For sometime I have been thinking of making Mikey’s Wish an official charity but the time never really quite felt right. That is until I gained the support of some amazing Mum’s who shared my passion.
Louisa Akers
Georgia Leckie
Louisa Akers
I have been on this apraxia journey every step of the way with Mikey, from the moment he received his diagnosis of verbal dyspraxia at 2 and a half, a neurological diagnosis that meant he may never speak as well as his peers. Fighting for the therapy and support he desperately needed. I remember the day he came to me at 13 with a poem he
I have been on this apraxia journey every step of the way with Mikey, from the moment he received his diagnosis of verbal dyspraxia at 2 and a half, a neurological diagnosis that meant he may never speak as well as his peers. Fighting for the therapy and support he desperately needed. I remember the day he came to me at 13 with a poem he had written, called I am the Boy, expressing his desire for more awareness. The poem that started his awareness campaign, Mikey’s Wish. Standing with him while he tirelessly raised awareness to support those who shared his diagnosis and their families. Travelling to America so he could speak at the Apraxia Kids Conferences. Supporting him as he grew in confidence and made amazing connections. So 10 years later, when it was decided that Mikey’s Wish should take the next step and become an official charity, I couldn’t be any where but right by his side.
It’s an absolute honour to have the opportunity to be a trustee for the Mikey’s Wish Foundation and I’m excited to work with such a dedicated team to try and better the lives of people with speech, language and communication needs.
Georgia Leckie
Georgia Leckie
Georgia Leckie
As a parent of a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, I am only too familiar with the difficulties families face accessing the right support.
I know that our story & journey is not a lone case, but it has connected me with some amazing people & some fantastic opportunities to raise awareness.
I am passionate about raising awareness of Ch
As a parent of a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, I am only too familiar with the difficulties families face accessing the right support.
I know that our story & journey is not a lone case, but it has connected me with some amazing people & some fantastic opportunities to raise awareness.
I am passionate about raising awareness of Childhood Apraxia of Speech and ensuring that children receive the speech & and language therapy they need in a timely manner.
Additionally, I am passionate about all things communication & raising the profile of communication difficulties individuals face daily & how we can help improve those lives, by understanding & making accommodations that contribute.
I created the communication Station which we have now merged with the foundation and will continue on this mission.
It is a privilege and honour to work with the rest of the team at Mikey's Wish Foundation and I am excited to see what we can collectively achieve.
Yas Firth
Karen Massey
Georgia Leckie
I have been a long-term supporter and fundraiser for Mikey’s Wish since 2017. I am the proud mum to Ethan, a 12-year-old with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), and Lily age 5.
Ethan was diagnosed back in 2017 and I quickly stumbled across Mikey’s page on Facebook whilst desperately searching for more information on Verbal Dyspraxia (CAS
I have been a long-term supporter and fundraiser for Mikey’s Wish since 2017. I am the proud mum to Ethan, a 12-year-old with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), and Lily age 5.
Ethan was diagnosed back in 2017 and I quickly stumbled across Mikey’s page on Facebook whilst desperately searching for more information on Verbal Dyspraxia (CAS as it’s now known). Mikey’s page has been a lifesaver in so many ways throughout the past 7 years and I have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people over this time.
I decided very early on I wanted to start fundraising to help raise money (and most importantly awareness) of Mikey’s Wish and I have helped to raise over £15,000 since my first fundraiser back in 2018!
I am so happy to join the team as a trustee and hopefully continue to raise valuable funds to help children with speech and language difficulties.
Pam Slater
Karen Massey
Karen Massey
I first heard of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), previously know as Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia (DVD) with my daughter’s diagnosis in 2013.
Finding Mikey’s Wish blog in 2020 gave me a lifeline of hope for the future, as did connecting with other families affected by CAS who are facing similar challenges, which is how I met Georgia
I first heard of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), previously know as Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia (DVD) with my daughter’s diagnosis in 2013.
Finding Mikey’s Wish blog in 2020 gave me a lifeline of hope for the future, as did connecting with other families affected by CAS who are facing similar challenges, which is how I met Georgia Wilson, and Karen Massey.
In May 2022, it was a privilege to work with The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and The Dyspraxia Foundation on #14daysofDVD, which contained daily facts and links to information that I wished I had known earlier. This led up to Apraxia Awareness Day on 14th May and was my first collaboration with Georgia to share this information. We also contributed to the RCSLT’s updated position statement on CAS.
I’m keen to raise awareness that CAS is a red flag for a genetic condition, with 1 in 3 cases being due to a genetic change.
We all want the best for our children, and it is an absolute honour to join the team at Mikey’s Wish Foundation to try and make a difference for people with speech, language and communication needs.”
Karen Massey
Karen Massey
Karen Massey
It was early 2019 when I first discovered Mikey's Wish, as my career had led me to work with many children who shared the diagnosis of Verbal Dyspraxia. I then went on to write my first book, and Mikey kindly agreed to include his poem, I am the Boy.
Throughout my clinical work as a speech and language therapist, I have often admired the e
It was early 2019 when I first discovered Mikey's Wish, as my career had led me to work with many children who shared the diagnosis of Verbal Dyspraxia. I then went on to write my first book, and Mikey kindly agreed to include his poem, I am the Boy.
Throughout my clinical work as a speech and language therapist, I have often admired the energy, determination, as well as noticing the challenge that both developing clearer speech and accessing therapy resources require. These qualities are seen in both the children and parents in equal measure. The way that Mikey's Wish has engaged with clinicians and families really resonates with me. It's one of the reasons I was delighted to be invited to join as a trustee of the Mikey's Wish Foundation. Working closely with Mikey and others who are equally passionate about improving speech and language therapy for all is a role I am very proud to step into.