What a beautiful summer at the end of a beautiful year from nomadics living our lives of choice. I feel like the luckiest person alive as Malcolm and I celebrate 46 years of marriage. Pity about the weather! Depression after depression after depression this August 2024, but the right place for us to be is out on the water. Otherwise … Read More
Thought Leader Gold Award
Wow! I’m still stunned two weeks on to have been recognised as the Gold Award winner by the Stevie International Business Awards. On occasion awards appear out of the ether. When we enter awards, for DanceSyndrome or for Jen, it’s because we believe that sharing what we do with a wider audience enables and inspires other people to know and … Read More
Do you see me
For Learning Disability Awareness Week 2024 this question, “Do you see me?” posed by Mencap is so deep and so profound, whilst simultaneously distressing, disappointing, and painful that it even merits consideration. It is a sad travesty of the 21st century, an inditement of the way society has stood idly by as people who happen to be learning disabled or … Read More
Friendships – good for our mental health
Friendship is something most of us take for granted. Even though I’m naturally shy and introverted, and didn’t easily make friends in the playground, preferring my own company, I now have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances around the world. Some I don’t see or speak to often, but that doesn’t stop us from picking up where we left … Read More
Changing lives one person at a time
When the idea for gathering dancers with and without learning disabilities together to learn skills, create choreography and support each other to develop it was because nothing existed to support our daughter Jen to do what she wanted to do – Dance. Jen, with a her support team at that time, came up with idea in her bedroom, then put … Read More
Express Day 24 review
Dodging the cloud bursts we arrived at Blackburn Empire Theatre excited to watch Express 24, the annual show of the multi-faceted talented dance charity, DanceSyndrome. The Sunken Forest was an opportunity to put aside the cares of the world, allow yourself to be enveloped by finely wrought, enthralling, enchanting spell binding ballet. The dance was absorbing as dancers shared their … Read More
Travel offers opportunity to new adventures
Travel – And why not? For anyone, everyone. Even those who are deemed not to be able to handle change well. Without travel doors remain closed, opportunities are denied, adventures not experienced, face to face connections have no chance to flourish. And so it’s been these past few 4 days. 4,640 miles 9 hrs flight, + 8 hrs transfer and airport + … Read More
Working together
It’s fascinating what the two words, “working together” conjure up isn’t it? Does it really mean two or more people joining together in an equitable relationship to create something? Or does it mean that someone is wanting to do something for you that really only benefits them or their organisation, but because it may be seen as “helpful” it can … Read More
Is every relationship equitable?
In my experience the simple answer is no. But should every relationship always be equitable? I believe every person has the right to be seen and heard in the language appropriate to them, with every voice and person of whatever age, ability or background, being able to contribute their thoughts, ideas fairly and equally with those they are in relationship … Read More
Ending stereotypes
We don’t care that Jen has Down’s syndrome. Jen is Jen and that’s the bottom line. For Jen, celebrating all those around the world with an extra chromosome, or Trisomy 21 is important. For Jen, it’s a celebration of her and people like her being recognized and valued for who they are. We have strict instructions to wear odd socks … Read More