A MAN from Balsall Common has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours with an MBE for services to special educational needs.
Mikey Akers, who is 25 years old, lives with the lifelong, neurological speech disorder, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), previously known as verbal dyspraxia.
He was diagnosed with CAS when he was just two years old.
His mum, Louisa Akers said: “Growing up with CAS was a lonely and isolating experience, as Mikey never met anyone else with the diagnosis, so at the age of 13, he decided to set up a Facebook page, Mikey’s Wish – Verbal Dyspraxia Awareness and share his story in the hope of ensuring that no other family would feel as alone as his.
Mikey added: “I really hope that anyone who shares my diagnosis who sees this, realises that with hard work, determination and a never give up attitude, we really can go on to achieve so much.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped make this possible.”
Mikey has also travelled to America to talk at the Apraxia Kids National Conference four times to give parents hope for their child’s future, he has given talks in schools, at SEND Conferences, head teacher conferences and he is an ‘expert by experience’ at Birmingham City University where he gives talks to student speech and language therapists.
In 2022 Mikey started working with his MP, Saqib Bhatti, and the RCSLT to raise awareness in parliament.
Mikey tabled a petition calling for more investment in speech and language services that was debated in January 2025 and from that he had a meeting with Stephen Kinnock, Health and Social Minister at the time, who promised Mikey and the ‘Invest In SLT’ team an action plan on speech and language.
Mikey also founded the registered charity, Mikey’s Wish Foundation, where he and the team of trustees are improving the lives of people with childhood apraxia of speech by providing resources, holding events to bring people together, supporting children in school and helping them access the essential support.
