Max's DJ story

Hiya my name is Max. I have been diagnosed with autism, dyspraxia, inattentive ADHD and hyper-mobility. I found school really hard and never mixed a lot with people growing up, and mum referred to me as being very quiet but happy. 

I went to a mainstream primary school but had a lot of additional help and got an EHCP in year 6 and then to a specialist school in year 8 after being at home for almost a year due to struggling in mainstream secondary school.

I had started self-harming and my mood was incredibly low every day and found day to day tasks really difficult and hated socialising.

We grew up with not a lot of money either. My mum was on her own with me and my autistic and ADHD brother and my younger brother, with my dad earning minimum wage to pay the basic bills.

Since I was three years old I have always wanted to be a DJ after watching Kevin and Perry, but financially this is unachievable due to the costs of the courses and travelling etc. But thanks to the short breaks service we were allocated each month, I started FourFour DJ Academy aged 13 to learn the skills of being a DJ.

In about eight months I received my certificate to say I knew everything I could be taught and I was qualified to DJ, so then I learned after that to produce music myself again out the short breaks service money. I am still doing production but I like to produce music with my tutor still.

I have has several songs signed by a small label and they are available on Spotify, Amazon music and Deezer etc for streaming and purchasing and another one or two coming out in the future.

I played at Gloworm festival for 10 minutes in August 2022 with FourFour DJ Academy, they thought I was that great they invited me back for 4 hour slots on the Saturday and Sunday of August 2022 sponsored by Kinetic Sand.

Now I am almost 18 and looking forward to playing in clubs and now with a little help be able to travel round the world a DJ as I have a lot of confidence in my mixing skills. Many bigger artists have said I am quick and exceptionally good with my technical skills.

I have DJed with Phillip George, who had three top 10 singles that were major big tracks in the UK, who also said I would go far. I have helped FourFour DJ academy raise money for charity by my mixing skills in a charity event they hosted.

All of this has happened in my life due to the amazing funding from the short breaks service at Nottinghamshire County Council. I am so thankful and appreciate all the funding and help and support. I would have found employment so hard given all my needs and disabilities but DJing is a massive passion so now I have these skills me and my family have hope for my future. Yes I will still require help and support but to be able to work and enjoy my life is something else.

I thank everyone so much at short breaks and Nottinghamshire County Council for helping me achieve my dreams and give me a future.