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George Tappenden

@georgetappenden1

3.8K

followers

720

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WIN 26 @wellchild
WIN 25 @bafta
WIN 24 @ndawards
Voice of Change Award @varietygb
Public Speaker 4 @lamdadrama
Drummer 🎶
Campaigner 📣
SMA Awareness 🧬

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This is my last post of some of the filmed footage, along with a few personal photos and moments from the @wellchild Awards. 💜

I just wanted to share something that probably won’t surprise most people, but I felt it was worth mentioning.

As Prince Harry sat next to me at the table rather than my mum, he ended up helping me throughout the first part of the evening. He helped me with my drink, moved the gift bags from around and behind me so I could manoeuvre my chair, and even offered to help me up the ramp and come with me if I wanted him to.

I said no, thank you. I’m far too stubborn for that! 🤣

I know these might sound like small, ordinary acts of kindness that we would expect from any decent person, but honestly, they don’t always happen. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference.

He was simply kind, and I wanted to acknowledge that because we live in a world where we don't shout a lot about the good in people.

Also, a huge thank you to @gabyroslin, who kept me company for the second half of the evening. ❤️

And finally… thank you, @wellchild, for such a special evening. 💯

#wellchild #wellchildawards #princeharry #spinalmuscularatrophy ##dukeofsussex by @georgetappenden1

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6 days ago

'Disability and Me' WON!!!! It won a BAFTA!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

I'm so proud. It takes guts to open up about your life to the world, especially the bits we struggle with AND especially as teenagers in such a judgemental world. But without being honest and brave, how will we ever make change for the better and make this world a more kind, accessible and inclusive place. So proud.

Shout out to the three other amazing people who also talked about their disability @pdaspectrumgirl @hope4harmonie and @eva_abley

Big shout out to @fyi_skykids @thomas_bionic @freshstartmedia_ @first_news for giving us a very much needed platform and a platform that the disability community so desperately needs also in this country.

We keep going 💪💪💪💪

#bafta #baftawinners #fyiskykids #documentary #baftas2025 #baftawinner #disabilityandme #disability #spinalmuscularatrophytype2 #spinalmuscularatrophy #smatype2 #musclewastingcondition #wheelchairuser #genetic #disabilityadvocating #nda2024winner #disabilitypower100 #disabilitycampaigner #inclusiveattitude #accessibilitymatters #tunbridgewells #kent #zebedeetalent #baftatv by @georgetappenden1

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a year ago

The lovely @clarebalding and me on stage giving each other the look of mutual respect at the @ndawards and with the award presented by @sypped So grateful for the experience and platform @paulsesay What a memory to have forever.

#nationaldiversityawards2024 #nda2024winner #nda2024 #award #awardceremony #positiverolemodel #liverpoolcathedral #liverpool #spinalmuscularatrophytype2 #smatype2 #disabilityadvocating #disabilitycampaigner #disabilitypower100 #zebedeetalent #proud #wheelchairuser #platform #publicspeaker #onstage #futuregenerations #tunbridgewells taken in Liverpool Cathedral by @georgetappenden1

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2 years ago

My mum @lucyfrost2021, most favourite film EVER, is The Commitments, and having listened to the soundtrack most of my life, it's become one of mine and shaped my taste in music and my love for live music.

We were both due to go to the @newcrossinn last Friday to see @racommitments who played Jimmy, perform with his band. Unfortunately, it would have been too much for me within three days with the awards. So, instead, I got sent this message from Robert, and hopefully, I'll be seeing him live soon.

This song is one of our favourites covered in the movie, and I like the lyrics as they resonate with me. See you soon Robert and thanks 🤘

Jimmy Rabbitte: "Soul is the music people understand. Sure, it's basic, and it's simple. But it's something else 'cause, 'cause, 'cause it's honest, that's it. It's honest. There's no bullsh@t. It sticks its neck out and says it straight from the heart."

#soulmusic #thecommitments #livemusic #wellchildawards #spinalmusculatatrophy by @georgetappenden1

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5 days ago

Receiving my @wellchild Award with @harryjudd @gabyroslin, my mum @lucyfrost2021, and @therealgokwan on stage. Great humans.

This song by @ninasimone is just 👌

@magicfm

#wellchildawards #wellchild #specialrecognition #spinalmuscularatrophy #disabilityadvocate by @georgetappenden1

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7 days ago

Here is the speech I wrote and read at the @wellchild Awards yesterday. I meant every word. Nothing good ever comes from doing nothing.

Well done, and thank you to all those who attended.

#wellchildawards #speech ##specialrecognition #princeharry #spinalmuscularatrophy by @georgetappenden1

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8 days ago

Yesterday, I had the honour of attending the @wellchild Awards to receive the special recognition award. I also got the opportunity to speak on stage, which I'll share here.

I have SO SO SO much to share with you all, but I thought I'd start with this photo. I had the pleasure of meeting Prince Harry and sitting next to him for the first half of the evening. Harry is such a nice bloke, and I have the utmost respect for him and the work he does. He has guts, too.

Here is a photo of me, Harry, and my mate Dexter from school.

#wellchild #wellchildawards #princeharry #spinalmuscularatrophy #dukeofsussex by @georgetappenden1

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8 days ago

So, I've joined a band 🤟 Tomorrow will be my third Saturday practising together. This week, we are doing @thefratellis Chelsea Dagger. So I had a go playing it for the first time at my drum lesson tonight @jammusicschool
My arms managed to hold out for the whole song. I have come far with my arm strength. It's hard, but I'm doing it, and that's what matters. I'm doing it.

You can see my powerchair back is tilted flat and my side laterals removed. This gives me the freedom to move my upper body a bit more. I'm lucky to have that strength, plus I have spine fused, which helps 😄
I then have the pedal on the footrest. I don't have the strength to reposition myself, plus both my hips are dislocated, but it just works👌

Just edited some clips from me playing the song.

#spinalmuscularatrophy #drumlessons #bandpractice #thefratellis #wheelchairuser by @georgetappenden1

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11 days ago

I’m so incredibly grateful and happy to tell you all that I have won the prestigious WellChild 'Special Recognition Award'. 💥
It is such an honour. I'm so excited for the 21st September where I'll also be giving a speech on stage, too 😬

I've taken some time to post this fantastic news because of the bullying and cruel social media comments aimed at Prince Harry, the charity’s patron, which has made me hesitant about sharing, what should be such special moment. And that’s really sad because every child and family should be able to celebrate their achievements without fear of what grown adults might say behind a keyboard.

Some of these children, alongside me and their families, have faced more in their short lives than many adults will ever experience. They’ve shown incredible strength through unimaginable challenges, and they deserve every moment of happiness, recognition, and celebration that comes their way.

WellChild and its patrons are here to celebrate children, families, doctors, nurses, and specialists. So please, let them have that moment.

You don’t have to agree with someone to show kindness, whoever they are. Bullying is simply not acceptable towards anyone. Full stop. You don't get to pick and choose when that rule serves you.

Thank you to those who have shown love and support towards me. Thank you for believing in me 🤟

#wellchild #wellchildawards #specialrecognition #spinalmuscularatrophy #antibullying taken in United Kingdom by @georgetappenden1

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15 days ago

What a lesson looks like with @jammusicschool and what can be achieved in forty minutes thanks to Josh. All new skills today, with a bit of bass thrown in at the end 🎸

I've had the summer off, and this was my first lesson back. My mum is always fearful that I will lose the strength to play if I have big gaps, but tbh I never really worry because I know that my body will adapt whatever happens and I'll work with it. Just gotta go with it.

I am really trying to prefect the rebound, so I use less muscle strength and safe energy, but it's hard with my grip, BUT I am getting better.

Tomorrow, I will go to my first band practice 🤞🤞

#drummer #drumlessons #wheelchairuser #spinalmuscularatrophy #drums taken in United Kingdom by @georgetappenden1

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25 days ago

Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! 🥰

I’ve had such a good day with my family, got some ace presents and even a new bedroom which I’ll show you soon.

Tomorrow I’m out with my friends all day so the birthday celebrations aren’t over yet! 🎉

Obviously, here are the obligatory birthday photos of me hitting another milestone 😂📸

Thank you, everyone, for all the messages ❤️

Big things are happening next month… 👀
Watch this space!!

#birthday #celebrations #grateful #spinalmusculatatrophy #15thbirthday by @georgetappenden1

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a month ago

15 years tomorrow, George ❤️

I think I could count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen you not smiling or upset over the last 15 years.

You are the most determined, happiest, funniest, intelligent, confident, and resilient young man I know. I could write so many words about what you’ve gone through, who you are, and everything you’ve achieved. I tell you these things all the time, but somehow, I don’t think they ever truly register with you. I don’t think you realise just how much you’ve overcome, how far you’ve come, or the sheer magnitude of what you have achieved.

You take so much in your stride. Things that would overwhelm most people, you somehow face with a smile, a joke and that incredible determination of yours. You just keep going, never seeming to realise quite how extraordinary that is.

And perhaps that’s the one thing I wish I could make you see, just for a moment, through my eyes, rather than your own.

So I’ll leave you with this…

George — perfect, just the way you are. ❤️

Happy Birthday xxxxx

#myson #happybirthday #proud #spinalmusculatatrophy #alwayssmiling by @georgetappenden1

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a month ago