The joy of inclusion is something that can’t be explained. Rather it has to be experienced firsthand. It’s interesting to consider it from various angles. Here it is from the perspective of one perceptive visitor to the DanceSyndrome space recently: One thing was that I didn’t know how I would feel entering their space. I wondered if I might feel … Read More
Inclusion is fundamental to living
Asking me to write about inclusion is like asking me to write about breathing. Inclusion is fundamental to living. Isn’t it! It’s normal for us humans to embrace others with a friendly smile, a hello, hug, handshake or wave – people you encounter everyday in your family, your community, on the bus, at the shops, at your school/college/work, or passing … Read More
Inclusion from the bottom up
If all humans are to be afforded the respect and opportunities that they deserve, we have to learn how to live differently and embrace people from all walks of life – inclusion from the bottom up. Perhaps it’s easier to look at inclusion as a life-style choice? Because choice it is. If inclusion is your default setting it subconsciously impacts … Read More
An issue of identity
Issues of Identity impact all of us. ‘What makes you you? How did you become the person you are? What defines you? How do others regard you? Do you have a label? And more importantly, do you wear your label with pride? Are you defined by your stature, the colour of your hair or your eyes, your age or ethnicity, … Read More
Manifesto: Rediscovering humanity through humility
I believe that world changing action will only result when all sectors of society are given license and opportunity to be heard, not just the educated or elite. Because everybody matters. I speak personally and passionately from an extraordinary experience of life. Thinking differently allows innovation, acting differently unlocks potential, offering opportunities creates fulfilment, with improbable unlikely unexpected outcomes . This … Read More
If it needs doing…
As we reflect on some incredible things that have happened these past few months, I wanted to share this brilliant article that was first published in the Winter 2023 edition of Animated, and is reproduced by permission of People Dancing. All Rights Reserved. See www.communitydance.org.uk/animated for more information. Reflections on a decade of DanceSyndrome In November 2022, North-West based inclusive dance charity … Read More
The journey of inclusion
We are all on a journey through life. Inclusion, or the lack of, affects every person in different ways, likewise social exclusion which can be a lonely life sentence where the recipient is deemed guilty without trial and having committed no crime. We develop and change as the years roll by moulded by our experiences, opportunities, exposure. As children we … Read More
The business of changing lives with DanceSyndrome
We’re in the business of changing lives. Ever since our daughter was written off at birth as having nothing to offer society we’ve not stopped changing perceptions of what’s possible. Earlier this year she received a British Empire Medal in the King’s birthday honours list. The organisation we created to support our daughter, Jen, who has Down’s syndrome, to dance … Read More
Putting the care back into social care isn’t difficult
I’m no psychologist but why on earth do we continue to give people with learning disabilities and their families such an incredibly tough time? Most people with learning disabilities are born with learning disabilities. Others acquire learning disabilities through accidents, notably brain injury. No one chooses to have learning disabilities. But it happens. It can happen to anyone, or impact … Read More
What does freedom mean to you?
For most of us freedom is taken as a given. It is assumed that unless you have committed offences punishable by imprisonment, that we are free to be our own person. If we accept that every person is a human being with equal human rights, then we all have the self same right to freedom. As we are all unique … Read More