06/07/2026
Every young person, and especially those with learning challenges, should read Chris Leece’s autobiography The Manchester Maze. This book will inspire the reader to be tough during hardships, persevere, and seek success for yourself, all the while inspiring others. I first became acquainted with Chris when I posted a picture on Facebook of one of my restored and handpainted vintage cast iron benches. To my surprise, a positive reply came to my Huntsville, Alabama Facebook post from Manchester, United Kingdom! I immediately had to look into this person with a page named Mancs Stuff. I saw that he also has the love of restoring old cast iron benches. Researching more, I was impressed by his volunteer involvement in The Red Bench Project. The primary mission of this charity in Manchester, is to place red benches in key community and recreational areas. These benches feature signage, QR codes, and resources for mental health and su***de prevention to encourage people to talk and seek support. So believing that Chris is your regular good guy with lots of skill, talent, and charity in his heart, I wanted to read his book, The Manchester Maze. WOW, Chris grew up in a challenging environment, and had difficulty learning in school, and interacting with friends. He did not know that he had true disabilities - ADHD and Autism. He just knew life is really tough, and somehow he coped by seeking to find where he might fit in. This book is his story, his journey, his maze. As discouraging life events unfold with each chapter, the reader must continue because the final chapters, reaching into his adulthood, tell how he learned his diagnosis, and found his desire to find himself and his purpose. He didn’t need to seek where to fit in anymore, because he fits in by being the loving, caring, creative person that was always there, right inside of himself. After reading the book, I went on to discover his artwork for The Adventures of a Bag of Flour children’s series, and his creativity and expertise in building The Manchester Maze online video game about his life’s journey. As I continue to watch Chris, his adventures in utilizing and teaching AI and business courses, I believe that all along Chris was equipped with what he needed in life, he just had to journey through the maze to arrive where he is today.
