Religious faith can frame experiences – it is not an escape from reality
Community Living is a great read. I particularly enjoy reading Moments in History, as it provides a historic perspective to current issues and allows an appreciation of what has changed for the better, as well as of the problems still being experienced despite the progress achieved. “When a screen star shone a spotlight” (autumn 2019, page 30) helps us appreciate just for how long parents of people with a learning disability have been fighting for their children’s rights. There is one aspect to it, however, on which I feel I must comment. It is true that, as Susanna Shapland says, the parents of Robin Elizabeth Rogers – 1950s US TV stars Roy Rogers and Dale Evans – were wealthy. It is also fair to point out, as the author does, that they therefore had options not available to most disabled people and their families, then or now. On the other hand, the argument that their belief that their daughter was a gift from God “could be too abstract for those dealing with day-to-day reality” is very much debatable. For those whose lives are steeped in faith (Christian or otherwise), embracing their experiences in keeping with that is not an escape from reality but a way of living life – with all its trials and tribulations – differently. Living life with a meaningfulness framed through religious beliefs may not be for everyone and may call for a different kind of empathy but should not be diminished. In the end, what matters is – as Shapland rightly points out – that Rogers and Evans used their privileged social position to throw a positive light on the lives of people with a learning disability – and that is certainly something that everyone, whatever their background and outlook, can be happy to affirm.
Dr Anne-Marie Callus
Senior lecturer, Department of Disability, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta
Terms reflect individuals and society
I am writing to support Paul Williams’ comments (Whose term is it anyway?, autumn, page 6). Connect in the North has long used people with “learning difficulties” rather than “learning disabilities”. This was originally because it was the terminology our members preferred. It also fits better with the social model of disability. People have difficulty learning but they are disabled by a society that does not provide the adjustments, adaptations or supports that people need. People with other impairments who use the social model may refer to themselves as disabled people, but not usually as people with disabilities in the way that people with learning disabilities is used. As Williams says, over recent years, the use of people with learning disabilities has become more widespread and many of our members use it themselves. We run Stamp Out Bullying training in which we explore words that are acceptable to use and those that might cause offence. Generally, people with learning difficulties tell us that they are happy with both terms. I do not know what the argument is against using Down’s syndrome. It makes sense to me to use it but, if people with Meader’s view Down’s syndrome don’t like it, I would of course adopt their preferred term.
Cathy Wintersgill
Director, Connect in the North, Leeds
Success in a tough job
In the digital age, it must be a really tough job to publish a magazine. But the sheer quality of Community Living – printing, content, layout, contributors – is as good as or possibly higher than it has ever been. I have been reading it for many years, starting in the living room of David Brandon, its first editor, with him beside me. It was great to see him mentioned in the last issue. Huge respect from me for all your achievements in helping this to happen. The magazine has guided, informed and helped me for close on 30 years now.
Pete Crane
Hesketh Bank, Preston, Lancashire
