The woman on a global mission to break down disability barriers
Joan Latta, pictured during her tour of South East Asia - Credit: Archant
She has been on a mission to the other side of the world to break down barriers and prove wrong misconceptions about disability.
Joan Latta, 24, from Fakenham has completed her third speaking tour in the Far East, visiting Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau to talk to students about living with cerebral palsy.
Miss Latta runs her own public speaking and disability training business, called Cerebral Palsy Alive and Kicking, which she established with the support of the Prince's Trust.
Miss Latta spoke to 1,000 students about overcoming personal challenges at an event in Macau.
She said: 'I can always tell that the audience enjoys my talks because of the reactions I get.
'Not only do I get great feedback after the talks but during the talk the audience are able to laugh at my humour.
'Although this is a serious talk there are many funny parts.
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'Whilst at the International School of Macao's opening ceremony I received a fantastic introduction by members of the student council.
'They said, 'We can learn that, despite how life may drag us down, there is always a way to reach out and make the best of what we are given.'
The aim of this presentation was to promote inclusive education.
Miss Latta attended Fakenham High School and achieved a vocational qualification at level 3 with triple distinction star at City College Norwich. She is now studying for an Open University degree.
While in Asia, Miss Latta also spoke to schools in Singapore, at St Joseph's Institution and Tanglin Trust. She was on her second tour of Hong Kong and revisited St Stephens Girls College, Elsa High School, Nord Anglia International School as well as other colleges.
As well as speaking locally, Miss Latta travels internationally to schools, colleges, charities and universities.
She provides training courses about a wide range of disabilities and is an associate lecturer at the University of East Anglia.
