Inclusion rocks! Inclusion is key to happiness. Most of us have experienced exclusion at some time in our lives. Just imagine if that was the norm, if you were routinely left out. How would you feel? What would you have to live for? Why get up in the morning? Now is the time to stop paying lip service to EDI. … Read More
A ‘service user’ summer
How was it for you? Your summer holiday that is. Hopefully you’re restored, refreshed, relaxed, reinvigorated. It’s important isn’t it. That break we all value so much, plan ahead of time, secure the dates in the work calendar, decide whether we prefer to go alone, with family or friends. As autonomous adults we can choose where, when, the budget, and … Read More
In Jen’s own words
I always wanted to be a dancer. I’ve always danced. It’s in my blood. Dance is how I communicate best. I’m Jen and I’m a dancer. I am co-founder and director of my charity DanceSyndrome. I’m also proud to be a NAPA Ambassador helping others to be active in whatever way is right for them. I trained as a community … Read More
Dear Parent
If you don’t have a child with learning disabilities, please read on to understand more. This is our reality. If like me you do have an offspring with learning disabilities you’ll experience life very differently to the rest of society. Dear Parent, How are you doing today? If we haven’t met before I’m Jen’s mum, occasionally known as Sue. Today … Read More
Do you see me and my vulnerabilities
I’m always mindful when writing as a carer of 43 years that I’ve had it relatively easy. Jen has been blessed with good health, so our challenges have mostly been intellectually, socially and emotionally focused. The lot of a carer is fraught with uncertainty and often significant financial sacrifice. We find ourselves needing eyes in the back of our heads … Read More
We have no idea what’s possible
30 years ago, May 1995, Jen aged 13 lay on a blanket under the pear tree in the garden whilst we planted an orchard. She was incapable of doing anything else. Jen had already been receiving medical intervention for 3 weeks. 1 day later she was in hospital and we were advised that she was terminally ill. At best she … Read More
Inclusion in Practice
“Inclusive education is a national priority—and a shared responsibility.” says Tom Rees, Chair of the DfE’s Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion. We agree! We’ve submitted the following to the enquiry, and have offered our support to engage further happy to share all we’ve learnt from our personal experiences: Social change is imperative if we are to create a fairer, more … Read More
Accelerate Action – it’s possible if we choose to act differently
The theme Accelerate Action coming from International Women’s Day 2025 is a powerful one. But only if we then take action on what we believe needs to change. I’ve had a wonderful couple of weeks capturing some conversations with some amazing women with different life experiences, cultures and stories from my own. But our commonality of wanting the world to … Read More
Solving the SEND Crisis – our opinions and evidence
The UK Government Education Committee inquiry “will focus on how to achieve both short term stability and long-term sustainability for the SEND system to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people.” January 2025. We have submitted written evidence as parents of a 43 year old daughter with Down’s syndrome and feel that opening up the conversations, encouraging and … Read More
Eternal Opportunism
I have a problem. I have eternal opportunism written into my DNA. My glass is (almost) always half full, because if half empty I’d have walked off the end of that metaphorical short plank a long long time ago; or as Malcolm says, it keeps the men in white coats at bay. So how about you? Do you have clear … Read More