A 13 YEAR-OLD dyspraxia sufferer has been asked to give a speech about his condition to a national conference next week.

Dan Marsh, a Chester Catholic High School pupil, will travel to the Tower of London for next Thursday’s speech where he will address hundreds of people.

Dan said: ‘I think mum is more nervous that I am about the speech. It doesn’t bother me.

‘I want people to know what primary school was like for me, I don’t want other people who have what I have to go through the same things.

‘I was picked on because I couldn’t run like the others and would always fall over. I couldn’t help it but had no way of trying to explain.

‘Why I couldn’t do the same things? Why did I have to think about running before I could do it? Why did it hurt to stand still?’

Coordination signals are affected by dyspraxia and it makes it hard for people like Dan to do everyday activities that are taken for granted by most people, like tying shoe laces.

The speech will be given as part of a conference to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dyspraxia Foundation.

Proud mum Marion of Blacon said: ‘Giving the speech in front of so many people doesn’t faze him at all.

‘He is happy to stand there and tell a room of strangers how dyspraxia affects him because he wants to make a difference to others who suffer with it.

‘Dan has suffered with the condition all of his life and suffered a great deal at primary school because of it.

‘At the time people didn’t understand, he couldn’t stand still, catch a ball, play football or ride a bike.

‘When he was diagnosed with dyspraxia everything changed. He went to Catholic High School who have been absolutely brilliant and understanding. They made the move to high school so much easier.’

Dan has made speeches previously to Cheshire’s Parent Partnership to explain his condition from a child's perspective.