A box just arrived……..a box of books. 

Yes I’d ordered them, and yes, they’re all the same, but seeing your words in print in a proper book for the very first time is a proud moment.  Really?  Me?  Why me?  However did that happen?  Who’d have thought?  But then who’d have thought that the introverted shy 18 year old musician Sue who found camaraderie on soup runs for the homeless would have experienced anything remotely like the extraordinary exciting journey my life has become? 

We all read of and admire those in their 20s or 30s who make their fortune thinking that could never be me.  But now perhaps I can justifiably lay claim to fortune.  My riches are not financial.  My riches come in the form of smiles, engaged happiness (rather than learned helplessness dished up by the system), doors opening wide, welcomes, hugs, laughter and fun. Of seeing Jen loving her life, living on cloud 9. 

‘DanceSyndrome is my everything’ ‘I have the best job in the world’.  I’ve had so many experiences and have so many friends in my life who I would never have met if I hadn’t had a daughter with learning disabilities born to me.  Together we’ve fought the good fight.  We’ve found people who believed in Jen, those who gave her lip service, and those who didn’t have the time of day for her but all too often, as Anthony my son would say, I gave them the benefit of the doubt for too long.  Never giving up hope, always believing and working alongside others who believed has led me to the place I am today.  I feel incredibly lucky to have been rescued from my 18 year old self by fortune.  

Incomprehensible, true and energizing, every day and every year gets ever more exciting presenting new opportunities to share the magic, share the passion, share the empirical evidence that by listening intelligently to every member of society we can create a better, fairer, more welcoming place for ALL regardless of perceived ability.  There is a font of opportunity and creativity, talent and assets untapped and unexplored within people with learning disabilities. 

Though have to admit, for me those precious moments of down time are fiercely protected and are equally important in the mix.  I find so much joy in walking and talking, sailing and skiing, time with friends, and infinitesimal step by infinitesimal step getting to grips with my harp under the watchful eye of patient guidance, and always, always having access to a piano for solace and comfort in those difficult times we all experience when all you want is for the world to stop, so you can get off. 

Perhaps I’m in danger of craving that next adrenaline fix!  But actually it’s already en route though currently embargoed! 

You can buy the ebook or print copy here: https://amzn.to/3TnIRCj

Please do let me know your thoughts on my chapter Turning the World Upside Down.