Having once been told by an Educational Psychologist that she would never ‘learn or progress’, a profoundly Disabled girl’s first book, endorsed by Game of Thrones Actor, Bella Ramsey, sells out in 5 days!

Amy, 21 from Newark in Nottinghamshire, has cerebral palsy and is profoundly disabled. She wrote and created Eye of the Storm to raise money for Leicester- based charity Bamboozle Theatre’s 30th year celebration, having been part of the theatre family for 17 years.

Eye of the Storm was written word by word alongside Amy’s English tutor using her spelling book and EyeCommander software. It’s a short fictional story that focuses on a journey to the unknown for Captain Amy and her companions – full of determination, heartache and resilience. Amy said: “I am excited, proud and grateful to have seen my book in print.”
Amy has been attending Bamboozle events with her family since she was 5 years old, taking part in a range of immersive performances, where young Disabled people are at the heart of the creativity, the story and the experience.

Actor, Bella Ramsey, (Game of Thrones, His Dark Materials, Time- BBC1) who has known Amy for 7 years, says: “Many people would meet Amy and assume she couldn’t even understand what was going on, let alone write a book. But she can, and she has. ‘Eye of the Storm’ is selling out and everyone is absolutely taken with Amy, her writing and her magnificent imagination. When I first met Amy, her eyes were so full of words she couldn’t yet express. But now thanks to her determination and the support of her incredible family and teacher, she has not only been able to learn and communicate, but she has also created a masterpiece.” Bella continued, “Disabled people are exactly that, disabled by the limitations constructed by society. What Amy’s story proves, is that with care, innovation and determination, we can change the landscape and open crucial doors for profoundly Disabled people. I hope our society can be one that passionately believes in, and enables, the gifts, talents and contributions of all Disabled people.”

Amy’s mother Iona said: “An educational psychologist told me not to bother doing anything with my daughter because she could never learn or progress. How wrong she was! I was initially going to order just 20 copies but took a chance on 100. Bamboozle gave us that initial glimmer of hope and belief.”
Christopher Davies, Bamboozle’s co-founder and Artistic Director said: “We are honoured that Amy has decided to raise funds for Bamboozle by writing this beautiful story. More important is the message it gives us all, that profoundly disabled people can do more, much more than we think they can. Amy is the embodiment of this belief.” After the sell-out success of Eye of the Storm, more copies have been printed and can be purchased for £20 on Bamboozle’s website- bamboozletheatre.co.uk

A limited edition of 20 books signed by Amy [with her fingerprint] and Bella Ramsey, who wrote the Foreword, can also be purchased for £70. All money raised goes towards providing young people like Amy with opportunities to find their own voice.

The Bamboozle Approach methodology is taught in UK special schools and around the world. Christopher Davies has just returned from Shanghai with a Bamboozle team, having performed their show Firebird and training Chinese teachers, social workers and practitioners in the Bamboozle Approach, to give children like Amy, in Shanghai, similar opportunities.

Bamboozle Theatre was set up in 1994 and has spent the last 30 years working in local communities and touring work nationally and internationally. It is a leading arts organisation and charity, championing the need to provide creative opportunities for disabled young people and their families. Through a range of theatre, immersive performance, education and training, Bamboozle engages disabled young people and their families through non-judgemental and welcoming artistic provision.