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
The joy of inclusion
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
Being a Disruptor for Good
I’m honoured and astounded to have been shortlisted for the Northern Power Women Awards, Disruptor for Good. It seems unbelievable to be recognised for doing something that has simply been part of who I am, and who we are as the Blackwell family. When I gave birth to Jen, after a textbook pregnancy, it seems that I became a disruptor … 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 last 12 months of an extraordinary ordinary life
For us it’s normal. It’s what we do, it’s who we are. For others who know what it’s like to live with a learning disability, or care for and support someone with a learning disability it, we’re told it’s an extraordinary ordinary life. Jen was written off at birth by the medics. She wasn’t valued. From the off she was … 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
Co-production – a long and winding road towards undreamt riches!
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