Dear Parent

Mum and daughter hugging on busy street

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

Co-production – a long and winding road towards undreamt riches!

Malcolm, Sue and Jen Blackwell

Without realising it, it seems that Malcolm and I have been practicing co-production all our lives, supporting each other to be the best that we can be. With the arrival of Jen and her unexpected learning disabilities in the form of Down’s syndrome, she was naturally embraced into the same cultural norm.  I’ve always sought to do my best as … Read More

Achieve, smashing misconceptions

The Blackwell family achieve smashing misconceptions

This week is Learning Disability Awareness week, with the theme “Achieve, smashing misconceptions”. National charity Mencap are leading the way in busting myths about people with learning disabilities, sharing brilliant stories. We all have our own stories. I wrote in Carer’s week how important it is for each of us to own the narrative of our own life: “After a … Read More