A DISABLED boy who inspired the world last year with his story of overcoming adversity, is beginning to see his campaign make a difference.

Jonathan Bryan, from Stanton St Quintin, has been pushing hard to see changes made to the education system that he believes let him down.

The 10-year-old was diagnosed with various disabilities from a young age which meant he was given the label of having profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and it wasn’t until his mother started teaching him at home that his potential was realised.

The young poet and writer recently got the chance to meet his literary hero, Michael Morpurgo, at Exeter Cathedral.

The pair chatted for an hour and Jonathan was thrilled when Mr Morpurgo read one of his stories.

The famous author also promised to write the foreword for a book Jonathan is hoping to get published.

“Listening to him read my story was an honour I will never forget,” said Jonathan.

The passionate youngster also got the chance to meet a government minister just before Christmas, when he delivered his petition with 179,000 signatures asking for changes to the education system to the Department for Education (DfE),

“Accompanied by experts in the field, the discussion went well and will continue into the future with follow up meetings and research,” he said.

“As a voice for the voiceless, it was a privilege and honour to discuss issues in education affecting children like me with such senior and influential people.

“Until children labelled as having PMLD are taught literacy as a matter of course I will continue to campaign on this issue.

“I will only be happy when I have made a difference for children like me.”

The meeting has triggered research into children with complex disabilities such as Jonathan, which he hopes will cause a “culture change”.

Speaking about the meeting, a DfE spokesperson said: “All pupils, regardless of their circumstances, should have access to a broad and balanced curriculum, which includes language and literacy.

“We are grateful to Jonathan for taking the time to meet with Edward Timpson and hope that his experience will encourage other young people to stand up for the changes they believe in.

“We expect all teachers, including those in special schools, to realise the importance of improving pupils’ literacy, maths and science skills as part of the curriculum.

“We are also now looking at plans to research the effective teaching of literacy for non-verbal pupils with complex disabilities to help make sure all children get the education they deserve.”

To keep up the media attention on his campaign, Jonathan is currently being filmed as part of a documentary called My Life which will air on CBBC, at some point next year.

The opportunity arose after a production company saw his blog, which last year received more than 15,000 hits.

Jonathan has also written an article which will be featured in the Guardian next Saturday, January 28.

To keep up to date with Jonathan and his campaign, visit eyecantalk.net