Our son, Ethan, has a rare medical condition called MPS VI. He endures a number of health complications and is under the lifetime care of Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Ethan has inspired many with the strength and resilience he demonstrates in managing the impact his condition has upon his life.
May 15th is MPS Awareness Day and every year we run a ‘Wear Blue Day’ event to help raise the profile of his condition and The MPS Society. This year MPS Awareness Day/Wear Blue Day falls at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, and to acknowledge the significance of this, we have created a Mental Health support project aimed at children and young people, which is engaging and rewarding whilst highlighting the importance of both days.
Through the format of a poem, “The Boy in the Blue”, we have highlighted personal parts of Ethan’s journey, and encourage readers to reflect upon their own feelings and experiences, making the text relatable and universal in terms of Mental Health challenges.
To further explore the themes from the poem, we invite readers to select their favourite line or verse and to use their preferred art form to bring it to life. This can be done through drawing, colouring, painting, crafting, photography, illustration, or even music; there are no limits.
Often, particularly if vocabulary doesn’t allow it, creating a piece of art can be an excellent way to communicate or express oneself. Alternatively, if creating art does not appeal to the reader, they could choose to write lines, verses or a poem about their own journey and experiences.
Ultimately, the goal of the project is to encourage our readers to think about and prioritise their own mental health, by thinking about their own thoughts and feelings.
We truly believe that the poem, coupled with the interactive art and writing elements, offers a positive opportunity to generate discussion about Mental Health, disability, acceptance and inclusion, and will support the reader to identify and reflect upon their own wants, needs, likes, dislikes, and available support.
The resource is free and accessible to everyone who wishes to engage with it, and we have a number of families, charities, schools, corporations and organisations already signed up to deliver the project. In particular, it is appealing to parents, Art, English and PSHE teachers, as well as counsellors, art groups, therapists, youth & community workers and charities.
The resource will be sent in various file formats by email and can be used on a 1-2-1 basis or in a group setting, so is suitable for families to use in their home or by anyone who works in a setting that deals directly with children and young people.
We will be promoting “The Boy in the Blue” across all social media platforms, enabling it to reach a wider audience. Our goal is to collate examples of the art and verses created by the project users and, where permitted, display them on both our website and social media platforms, creating a larger online resource and community of support.
If you would like to learn more about this project and access our free ‘The Boy in the Blue’ resource pack, please fill in the form below.
” The boy in the blue is just like you,
And every other child and grown-up too “
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‘The Boy in the Blue’ Resource Pack
‘The Boy in the Blue’ Resource Packs include a full copy of the poem text in various presentable and printable formats, along with details on how you can share your artwork, post on social media and get in touch for more support.
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The Boy in the Blue 