Page 23 - Community Living Magazine 35-3

editor’s diary

Polite words will shock in future I could never compete
I was asked to speak in an online seminar
for history teachers about putting the
history of learning disability on the
Dated language, families being wary of change for the better, curriculum in mainstream schools.
A fellow speaker was Shaun Webster
the audience reaction at a dance performance, a sharp speaker MBE, an equality campaigner, activist and
and a candid model all catch Simon Jarrett’s eye self-advocate. He tells his life story in
Saba Salman’s book Made Possible.
If you ever get the chance to hear him
riting an article recently, I will be left alone to bear the brunt of any speak, do take it. He is so mesmerising
needed to read through the negative consequences of change, while that at times I forgot I was a fellow
Wvery first issues of the British professionals move smoothly on to their speaker, as I listened to what he had
Journal of Learning Disabilities, an next project. to say.
academic journal launched almost 50 I think it is important to remember that He began life, as he openly
years ago in 1973. when family members appear to be acting acknowledges, with an incredibly difficult
It was then known as Apex, the Journal in a very conservative or even reactionary father, and was told things that would
of the Institute of Mental Subnormality. way, they often have very legitimate have destroyed most people’s self-esteem
There was talk of “mongols” and concerns, arising from bitter experience, for ever.
abnormality. The language, while not at the root of their anxieties. But he went on to be a father himself, a
intended to be disparaging in these generous and highly effective campaigner,
articles, is always a shock, even if we go Dance ovations and the proud possessor of an MBE
back only a few years. I have the privilege of being the chair of a (which he made sure he went and
Be assured that the language we use so dance company in London called Corali, showed to his dad after he got it).
confidently today will be a shock to others where we train and develop the careers Someone asked a question to both of us
in not many years’ time. of talented dancers who happen to have at the end and I hastily said: “Please let me
learning disabilities. go first. There’s no way I can follow him.”
Reactionary or legitimate? The other week, they appeared in a
Even more of a wake-up call in these show at the Barbican Centre in London, Model behaviour
journals than the language were the where they performed with a company I saw the ever more successful fashion
many articles and letters written by called Thick and Tight. model Ellie Goldstein on morning
worried parents. The show played to sell-out television recently.
Many were deeply opposed at the time audiences for six nights in a row They showed a
to all the talk going on about closing and they received huge clip of her modelling
long-stay “subnormality” hospitals and ovations each night. The for Gucci or Vogue
returning people to the community. audience reaction was nothing or suchlike, and one
At first, their language and their to do with the fact that the of the presenters
concerns seemed very alien to me. But dancers have learning commented: “You
then I realised there was a thread that disabilities and everything to look like you were
linked them to familiar themes of today. do with their talent. born to do this.”
Families often have a real distrust of any “I was,” she
new government policy or initiative, Many parents opposed plans to replied.
feeling that somehow it will be they who close long-stay hospitals. Why? That told them. n

Insight into the value of creating and While life stories are person centred, encouraged, especially for those with
sharing life stories they are not necessarily shared to change complex needs. The people who know
Ledger S, McCormack N, Walmsley J, Tilley policy – although this can occur – but to them best are encouraged to be part of
E, Davies I. “Everyone has a story to tell”: “celebrate life” and the life that the this process.
a review of life stories in learning disability learning-disabled person chooses to tell. While this study gives strong evidence
research and practice. 9 July 2021. This study invites readers and researchers on the value of life stories, collecting
 https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12388 to consider further the importance of life them in certain settings is slow. It requires
stories for learning-disabled people, and time and sensitivity to the needs of the
nfluenced by the telling of his own life how using them with research practice will individual as well as a skilled approach by
story, the co-author of this paper, Ian make it more informed. This could improve those gathering and recording the story.
IDavies, is directly quoted throughout, health and social care practices. Nonetheless, it is evident that life stories
sharing greater insight into the purpose Creative approaches to gathering life help to shape personalised care and offer
and value of the study. stories, such as the use of photographs, opportunities for disabled people to be
“The reason I recorded and shared my music and personal objects, are actively engaged in their life choices. n
life story was to raise awareness that
people with learning disabilities can do
this. People think we can’t, but we can.
Telling our stories helps other people to
understand us,” he writes.

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 35 No 3 | Spring 2022 23