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Aston Avery is a young man who has overcome a great deal in his young life. Aged 21, he was was diagnosed with autism at just two and a half. He also suffered from the bowel disease enterocolitis which leaves bowels and internal muscles not working and causes inflammation of the intestines.
From the age of four he spent most of his life undergoing a number of operations to fix the digestive disorder before having a full colostomy when he was eleven. On top of all of this was his autism, making communication with the world around him a challenge at best, impossible in many cases.
Seven years ago he joined La Danse Fantastique Theatre School, based at Basildon’s Salvation Army hall in Cherrydown West. This turned out to be one of those life changing moments for this exceptional young man. In time the discipline and hard work he put into his involvement with this charity began to improve his confidence and help him mix with his peers.
This hard work and determination helped him to develop into a talented and confident performer. Not only has Aston completed Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art exams and been recommended for a university course, he has also performed in a number of shows. So impressed were La Danse Fantastique with Aston that they nominated him for the Pride of Essex Awards.
During a special ceremony at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, Aston was awarded the top prize which recognises achievement over adversity.
Today Aston is a great communicator, and as Ben Lacey on Inspiring People found out a very quick witted young man … listen out for the ambush Aston laid out for him during the interview!
It is always a pleasure hearing about people dealing with and overcoming the restrictions that life often puts onto some people. But meeting Aston makes you realise with the right motivation from within yourself and with the love and support of others so much is possible. Aston’s brother, Aaron played a key role in helping his younger brother to talk. Aaron’s dedication in this matter saw him receiving the Princess Diana award.
Aston has raised funds for several worthy causes and has rubbed shoulders with Frank Bruno, Archbishops, Matthew Kelly and Fatima Whitbread to name but a few. He has appeared on television and has a pretty good singing voice too!
Aston Avery IS a very Inspiring Person.
