Sophie Garner wins Wear it for Autism competition

Sophie Garner

Sophie Garner, 14, from Norden, has won the Wear it For Autism 2014 competition after being nominated by her mum for overcoming her fears and anxiety.

Sophie, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome when she was 10 years old, won the category of child with autism after her mum wrote into the competition explaining why she should win.

Her mum, Nicky Garner said: “I was just so proud of her for overcoming her anxiety and getting better after the year she has had that I thought I would nominate her for the competition.”

Asperger’s Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that is characterised by significant difficulties in social interaction and non verbal communication.

Wear it for Autism gives the chance for children, parents, grandparents and carers who either have autism themselves or care for people with autism to be pampered and to take centre stage in a fashion show in London.

Sophie will now receive a make over and will be given a new haircut/style, make up and a consultation with celebrity stylist Lewis Duncan Weedon who will be styling Sophie and the other winners for the fashion show.

Designer clothes will be loaned to those taking part in the fashion show from Wish Want Wear and South African designer Miglio Jewellery will be giving jewellery to the winners on the day for them to wear and keep!

Nicky added: “She is really looking forward to it. She has never done anything like this before.”

Judges for the competition had to decide on the winners of six categories with nominations being described as “heart wrenching and inspirational.”

In her nomination, Nicky said: “Sophie has Asperger’s and SPD. She has had a really tough 2014 as she suffered from a breakdown caused by anxiety on the 3/2/14. As a result she has been unable to attend school and has had to take anti depressant medication (which she hates taking but knows it will help her). To begin with she wouldn't go out at all but she has worked really hard to face her fears about leaving the house and is starting to slowly enjoy life again.

“I am so proud of how far she has come over the past few months and feel if she was to be pampered and participate in Wear it for autism it would be really beneficial to her well being and further help to improve her confidence which has taken a severe beating with her anxieties.”

The fashion show, which will also be filmed and shown on YouTube, will take place at The Millennium Hotel in Knightsbridge on Monday 6 October.