Young Epilepsy student Manuel Harris runs with the Olympic Flame

17 year old Manuel Harris from Young Epilepsy’s St Piers School carried the Olympic Torch after being chosen as an official torchbearer. Manuel joined the procession to carry the torch through Seal in Kent at 12:22 on the 20 July 2012. He was nominated by his teacher, Oyla Scott.

Manuel was supported by his many classmates, teacher and support workers who cheered him with shouts of ‘Mani, Mani, Mani, Go Go Go’. Students from St Piers had also made a beautiful banner which read Go Mani Go, which was held up as he ran past.

Manuel has been a student at St Piers School, part of Young Epilepsy, for six years. A keen sportsman himself, he has a yellow belt in Tai-Quan-Do.

He was chosen to carry the Torch in recognition of how he approaches the many challenges he faces day to day, including Neurofibromatosis, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as well as communication and behaviour difficulties.

Before the relay Manuel said: “I am really thrilled to have been chosen to run with the Olympic Torch. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone from Young Epilepsy – and especially to my teacher Olya - for nominating me.”

Everyone at Young Epilepsy is so proud of Manuel and everything he has done today!