Together against loneliness

With an important caveat.  All views are personal and formed over 70 years of living, 44 with Jen, who today presents as her most fulfilled self ever. Let’s consider the work/life balance for all of us. What works best – for you, for people you know, for your family members, your loved ones, for people with learning disabilities?  And how … Read More

This Down Syndrome Awareness Week 2025

Two ladies one wearing silver sparkles and sparkly headband one wearing white jacket. Both smiling, Creating shapes with their hands learning indian dance hand moves

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

Eternal Opportunism

Malcolm, Sue and Jen Blackwell wearing hats in the snowy cold of Colorado January 2025

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

A wander down memory lane

Young Jen Blackwell dancing

This weekend saw me dive into files I’ve not looked at for years.  Photos, articles, letters of support all focused on the Art of the Possible, even one from my old music teacher at school, then the deputy head with whom my relationship was complicated by the fact that she was also a personal friend of my parents.  She was … Read More