WELS alumna receives MBE

OU alumna Jane Green recently received her MBE, awarded for her work as founder of SEDSConnective, a volunteer and user-led neurodivergent and symptomatic hypermobility health charity.

The prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) recognises Jane’s services to more than 5,000 Neurodivergent impacted charity members, many of whom are Autistic, have ADHD, Dyspraxia, Tourette's syndrome plus more and Joint Hypermobility conditions including Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (connective tissue disorders).

Jane left school at 16 with just two qualifications and was, in her words “considered dim and a hypochondriac.” She began studying with the OU in 1999 for a degree in Psychology, continuing onto an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Child Development and later completing a Master of Arts in Education (Leadership and Management), focusing on organisational transformation in schools.

At the time she had her own health issues and was bringing up two children with complex needs. She continually suffered strange injuries and illnesses and eventually received a diagnosis of EDS3 (now Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hEDS) but was immediately discharged as there was no defined treatment protocol. She received her autism diagnosis in 2016 but unfortunately received very little support. She also received her ADHD diagnosis this year, age 61.

She knew there would be others out there like her who must not be overlooked and therefore founded the award winning and unique SEDSConnective in 2018 to raise the profile of those who were also forced to battle for recognition and support.

“My only goal is to promote inclusivity and equity to help some of the most marginalised communities,” said Jane. “I feel incredibly honoured to be recognised in this way and I know that this recognition will help us further the education, care, and support to many individuals.”

Read Jane’s student story on OU News (from 2019).

Read more about Jane’s current work.