Page 17 - Community Living Magazine 34-1

living a life

In an early editorial discussion about
what help he had to fulfil his ambitions,
champion swimmer Dan Pepper rightly
turned the tables on me and asked: “Who’s
helped you to be here today?” We all need
support of some kind.
This ultimately uplifting book shows
that everyone has value, everyone can
contribute to society and, as my sister
says, we just need to notice that.
Society should be as aware of the rights
of learning-disabled people as it is of
debates on gender, race and sexuality.
Sir Norman Lamb, chair of South
London and Maudsley NHS Foundation
Singer-songwriter Lizzie Emeh on stage; below: actress Sarah Gordy has appeared in BBC TV dramas Trust and former health minister, has said
the book must act as “a call to arms to
who share their life stories include with no knowledge of the issues, it should confront continued discrimination. It
veteran civil rights campaigner Gary encourage them to think twice about a shows what’s possible. Made Possible
Bourlet. In an inspiring essay, the group of people too often regarded as must become the reality for all those with
co-founder of Learning Disability England second-class citizens. a learning disability.”
reflects how far we have come with Another aspect of the book is vital. Made
equality – and how far is left to go. Possible highlights the grand achievements
There is a beautiful chapter about the of groundbreaking people, achievements
art of acting and a powerful argument for that would be remarkable regardless of
wider representation of learning disability any disability. It also argues that everyone
on stage and screen from Sarah Gordy, should be able to define their own success,
who was recently seen in BBC drama The and that this comes in many forms.
A Word. Filmmaker Matthew Hellett, lead My sister might not have won any
programmer of Oska Bright, the biennial medals, performed on national TV or made
learning disability film festival, makes an speeches to a packed auditorium but her
equally passionate plea for this in his essay. “everyday success” is just as significant. It
Also reflecting success in the arts sector is worth not only acknowledging but also
is artist Laura Broughton, the first learning- celebrating. Raana has moved to a more
disabled woman to have a work accepted independent life in supported living and,
for the Royal Academy’s summer exhibition. before lockdown, was doing her own For contributors such as Harding, it is
She movingly describes the challenges of shopping and using local buses. equally important that their stories inspire
being in “Laura’s world”, where people fail Raana’s story of success will be familiar others to keep challenge the status quo:
to make the reasonable adjustments that to many families and carers. My family “I’ve broken barriers, and I’m proud of what
would make communication easier. fought for the right support, navigating the I’ve done, but the most important thing is
Another arts professional, singer- revolving door of professionals including, that what I’ve done inspires other people.
songwriter Lizzie Emeh, explains how her to name a few, health visitors, GPs, I was the first councillor with learning
potential was unlocked by the right paediatricians, special educational needs disabilities and then the first mayor. I was
support and outlines her ambitions to coordinators, social workers, care managers the first, and I shouldn’t be the last.” n
help more learning disabled people and speech and language therapists. ● Review, page 29
achieve their dreams. Raana’s success is also down to the
Other contributors include Gavin dedicated, enlightened individuals who Saba Salman is a journalist and author, and
Harding, the UK’s first mayor with a have supported her over the years. She the editor of Made Possible: Stories of
learning disability. He recalls his rise in thrived at her mainstream secondary Success by People with Learning Disabilities
local politics and harrowing years spent in mainstream school, Angmering in Sussex, – in their Own Words. Unbound, 2020,
£9.99 paperback; £4.31 Kindle
Felipe Pagani: Lizzie Emeh on stage; Rob Gould: Sarah Gordy and friends that enabled him to succeed. teacher “for setting such a positive Update (November 2017). Blog. https://tinyurl.
institutions. Paralympic swimmer Dan
leaving with one GCSE (a grade C in art
and design), a commendation award and
Pepper describes his competitive career
References
as well as the strong network of family
a letter of achievement from the head
Hatton C (2017) Employment Statistics: Quick
com/yyu3a7p4
Each story is unique; each storyteller’s
example to other students”.
James E, Harvey M, Mitchell R (2017) An
Of course, Raana’s achievements are
voice is different. But what unites the
Inquiry by Social Workers into Evening Routines
also down to her own determination,
chapters is their determination, single-
in Community Living Settings for Adults with
resilience and engaging personality. With
minded vision and belief that everyone
Learning Disabilities. University of Lancaster.
https://tinyurl.com/yy9engsl
the right support, she feels more
has value and can contribute to society –
NHS Digital (2020) Learning Disability Services
confident and she thrives.
with the right support.
Monthly Statistics (AT: June 2020, MHSDS: April
For those with experience of learning
I hope that Made Possible will
2020 Final). https://tinyurl.com/y2cqcwq2
disability, I would like Made Possible to
what support we all need to reach our
leave them feeling inspired, motivated
Mortality Review(LeDeR) Programme. Annual
and positive about the future. For readers
goals, and how this unites us.
Report 2019. https://tinyurl.com/y6sotjgm
Community Living Vol 34 No 1 | Autumn 2020 17
www.cl-initiatives.co.uk encourage us all to be more honest about University of Bristol (2019) Learning Disabilities