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Anna Kennedy OBE – leading campaigner for those with autism and special needs' Anna Kennedy OBE (born March 12th 1960) is a leading campaigner for improved educational and other facilities for those who affected by autism and Asperger syndrome conditions. Early life Born in Middlesbrough to mother Maria Sammarone seamstress and father Antonino Sammarone car salesman, she has a sister Maria Luisa Davison and brother Tony Sammarone. She went to Sacred Heart School Middlesbrough before leaving to train as a stage dance teacher at a dance school in Italy for 3 years. She then stayed in Italy where she set up and ran her own dance school for a number of years before returning to the UK.

In 1988 she married her husband Sean Kennedy – who is a qualified solicitor advocate – she gave birth to two sons, whom she discovered, when they reached school age, were affected with an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). For many her life might have been destined to be that of a simple mother and wife but this was not to be. A new direction Anna’s life took a dramatic turn in 1999. Then, as the mother of two boys, Patrick and Angelo, one with autism and the other Asperger syndrome, she simply wanted the best education for her sons, but after being refused entry by a staggering 26 special needs schools she decided to take matters into her own hands and started her own very special place of education.

In September 1999 she and her husband felt so passionately about providing a better education for children with autism and Asperger that they remortgaged their house and transformed a derelict council building in Middlesex, West London, into Hillingdon Manor School (www.hillingdonmanorschool.org.uk). Amazingly Anna had no experience of teaching and the couple had no cash, so her husband asked for voluntary redundancy from his job in order to generate money to live on during the early stages of the project. The school, Hillingdon Manor, is now a centre of excellence, and has earned considerable recognition for its outstanding work, and caught the imagination of Esther Rantzen who is now the school’s Patron.

Hillingdon Manor has continued to thrive and regularly educates 150 children from 3 to 19 years and there are plans to expand to accommodate an increasing number of parents who are looking for a positive and supportive environment for their intelligent but often challenging offspring. Statistics in the UK show that 1 in 64 children are now being diagnosed with an ASC. Since 1999 Anna’s work has expanded considerably and she has opened a number of new facilities including schools, a Community College for people aged 16 plus, a residential home for those attending the College, a specialist support outreach services organisation, and a thriving social networking club for people affected by autism

The book ...NOT STUPID In 2008 Anna co-authored her best selling biography “Not Stupid” which poignantly portrayed her struggle to find appropriate provision for her boys – a story which will be familiar to many parents who cannot get what they feel their children need and deserve from their local education authority. Her story appeared as an hour long ’pick of the day’ BBC video diary documentary on television and her story has been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers, including the Times Educational Supplement, The Times, The Observer, The Guardian, The Daily Mirror and The Daily Mail.

Anna is regularly invited to speak at conferences on the subject of autism and has also taken part in many high profile TV talk shows, debates and news programmes. She went on to win ‘Woman of the Year’ in 2009, an award run in conjunction with The Observer newspaper and during the same year was also the recipient of the coveted Institute of Directors (IOD) Chairman’s special award for outstanding contribution to the community. “A truly amazing mother” prompted Samantha Cameron to name her the Daily Mail’s most Inspirational Woman of the Year 2010. Esther Rantzen was so moved by Anna’s story that she became the Patron of Hillingdon Manor School and she sums up the essence of Anna Kennedy’s work and the schools she has set up with these words. “I have been extremely impressed by Anna’s determination and her dedication to improving the lives of individuals with autism. I am delighted to support her work. Anna goes from strength to strength by building up the expertise and excellent facilities necessary to provide education and life skills support to individuals from all walks of life that have been affected by autism.”

In 2009 Anna’s schools were taken over by specialist education provider Hillcrest (www.hillcrestcare.co.uk) that has developed and enhanced the facilities to make these centres some of the very best of their kind in the UK. Anna continues to maintain a keen and active interest in the schools.

The Autism Portal is launched – Anna Kennedy Online Also in 2009, determined to do more to help children and adults with autism and Asperger syndrome Anna launched a FREE online service for all of those people who were involved with the subject either as: sufferers themselves, parents or other family members, carers and teachers. The portal known as Anna Kennedy Online (www.annakennedyonline.com) now has a worldwide following as more and more people visit it for advice, guidance and to share ideas and offer each other help. The portal has become a real lifeline to families and carers of those with autism as it provides a superb showcase and digital meeting place where they can share ideas, ask for help or be directed to specialist services and products that help those with autism. As the incidence of autism grows in the UK and worldwide so the popularity of the site increases.

Anna Kennedy continues to campaign in the media for better facilities for those with autism and also lobbies Governments to get them to do more to improve educational and caring facilities. OBE recognition Her work has moved many people and in the summer of 2012 Anna Kennedy was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her services to autism and Special Needs education. However her work and her personality can best be captured through the words and experiences of those who have been touched by her story and her quest for a better deal for those with autism and Special Needs. Here are some of the comments left on the Anna Kennedy Online portal. “Your personal story, the passion and dedication you have for the betterment of your sons, and the advocacy for quality education for all students with special needs, are absolutely inspiring.” “You make us so proud Anna” "I watched the interview on your website regarding autism and your book Not Stupid. I wish it was on the 'must read’ list of every teacher and parent working with/or who have a child/children with an autism spectrum condition. I want to commend your efforts with your school and the work you have done in your community. Anna -. YOU ARE MY HERO!" "I have only been a facebook friend a very short time, but i have soon discovered that you help so many people with coping in difficult situations with their family life, your passion cannot be questioned, keep up the great work you do Anna" "Thank you Anna, I'm passing through a very difficult moment, for the first time since I have known my son Enrico is autistic I feel tired, inadequate and very worried about his future.but your posts help me to think positive thoughts. Thanks" “Wow, impressive and wonderful. I'm so glad to have connected with you - I learn so much and share your valuable snippets and articles too. You help so many families who may not have the time or patience to forward on so much information. Thanks a zillion.}”

Another centre of educational excellence In September 2010, Anna opened Baston House School in Bromley, Kent (www.bastonhouseschool.org.uk) which eventually accommodate up to 100 children from 3 to 19 years of age. Formerly an independent girls school, the new school provides a centre of excellence in the education and development of children who have been diagnosed with autism in Kent and Greater London. The school has become very popular as there are few resources in the South East that can accommodate the special education needs of individuals affected by Autism and Asperger Syndrome. For parents of children diagnosed with this condition life can be a constant struggle and schools like Baston House provide a welcome relief and a real breakthrough for these children to help them to lead more fulfilled and productive lives.

The results of the education provided at Anna Kennedy’s schools are impressive as one parent of a child at Hillingdon Manor School described. “I must say that being around my son is becoming more and more of a pleasure and less and less like a task since he has been attending Hillingdon Manor! My thanks to you all and especially Anna, please keep up the good work.” 2012 – an Olympic special envoy In 2012 Anna was appointed as a special Olympic envoy representing the interests of those with autism and special needs. As her work continues Anna believes that the issue of autism is going to touch more and more lives as sadly this condition is on the increase ( the latest research reveals 1 in 64 children are now diagnosed with autism) so she continues to campaign to help everyone who has special needs to ensure they can all fulfil their potential and live meaningful and productive lives.