“I might be small, but I have a big brave heart.”
Their Story
Olivia-Mae Grace Haddon is a powerful example of survival, courage, and determination. By the age of ten, Olivia was already a professional-level, competition horse rider, thriving in school and excelling in her sport. Her life changed dramatically when the pandemic, a serious fall that broke her spine, and emerging mental health challenges altered the path she once knew. Olivia has spent years navigating education systems that struggled to meet her needs.
The Achievement
Against overwhelming adversity, Olivia refused to give up. After joining a specialist school, she rebuilt her confidence and found the strength to pursue a new dream in performing arts—embracing singing and dancing despite living with constant pain from her spinal injury. Through extraordinary determination, she achieved GCSE passes at a time when sitting even one exam once felt impossible, and went on to secure a place at one of the country’s most prestigious performing arts colleges.
The Impact
Now transitioning into mainstream college life, Olivia continues to challenge perceptions around neurodiversity and mental health. By teaching and mentoring younger students and educating schools and families about mental health from a young person’s perspective, she is paving the way for others to believe in themselves beyond any diagnosis. Olivia’s journey powerfully shows that even when one dream is taken away, resilience can lead to new purpose—and extraordinary success.