Day 11 I relieved Paul at 4am who reported starlit skies, still no moon (?), wind gusting 19 – 27 knots, and lots of shooting stars. My watch came with plentiful wind, even bigger seas, and a yacht which didn’t show up on the radar at all passing 0.7miles ahead of us. I’m thankful for alarms on the electronics! All … Read More
Exclusion or Inclusion?
We all have choices in life. But sometimes society, our community or situations are created unequal. Sometimes, people are excluded, or included, because of the colour of their skin, their gender, their finances, where they were born or their disability. How many of us would choose to be excluded from society? Would we choose to be denied access to opportunities, … Read More
Lifetime Achievement Award
With synapses zapping, buzzing, and fizzing all week, perhaps I might be forgiven for indulging in a tingling sensation of pride. It is incredibly special to be determined the most worthy recipient from amongst notable others of the Lifetime Achievement Award at Best Business Women Awards. Thank you again to you Debbie and your judges and sponsors for creating this … Read More
Sharing and impacting in Europe
We’ve just returned back to the UK buoyed up by a fabulous experience at #EAMHID25 in Ghent where Jen and the DanceSyndrome dancers made a significant contribution. Not only did they have an opportunity to deliver a solicited symposium (presentation) in conjunction with the NHS and a workshop ‘Embracing Inclusivity’, but they were given license to share their passion and … Read More
Inclusion Awareness Week – Now is the time
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
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
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
This Down Syndrome Awareness Week 2025
Spot the dancers a mile off! A meeting of hearts and minds through dance, sparkles, smiles, two honorary Doctors of Arts from the University of Salford in 2024 communicate through their shared passion. From the moment we arrived at the prestigious Cholmondley Room Jen was on the look out for Dr Ria Meera Munshi. Her excitement was palpable. Yet again … Read More