You are on one side And I am on the other; Are we divided?

Equality, fairness, respect and dignity have always been at the heart of my work. Earlier this year I was fortunate to be asked to support a learning disability organisation to develop a punchy position statement in response to a Government policy, something very close to me. One of my first roles when I left University (first time around) was as a live-in volunteer, living alongside and working with adults with learning disabilities. I learnt so much, which I took with me to every future job. This recent opportunity seemed like a perfect chance to see how much had changed, for me and for the learning disability community, in the intervening years...

I wish I could say attitudes and opportunities had changed significantly. It was a shock just how many deep-rooted prejudices remained. Feelings of control and power that some legal, health and social care professionals felt they had every right to hold over people, simply because they 'had' a learning disability. It was horrific to hear their views. 'They' felt that they had every right to make decisions for 'them', with no consideration of 'them' as people. The horror drove me onwards, and made me look backwards... 

The residents of the community home I worked and lived in were all individuals. They all had their own interests and priorities for life. They all wanted different things. They all had different relationships. They all had lives. They all made me laugh in different ways. I was so lucky to live with them for a time. They shaped me, and gave me valuable experiences which I would never shake off. I wouldn't want to. 

That experience has been the driver for my career. My experience made this recent job more real, more vital and more disheartening all at the same time. My experience made my contribution stronger, more alive and more impactful. Things may not have changed enough over the years, but that first job changed me, and in return I changed things with this recent job. Experience counts. If you think my experience can help you, get in touch...