Mencap celebrates inspirational stories during Learning Disability Week

Learning disability charity Mencap has been celebrating the achievements of people throughout the country during its Learning Disability Week.

The charity asked people with a learning disability and their families to answer the question, ‘who is their real life superhero?’ by sharing stories of courage and strength about people with a disability.

The annual Learning Disability Week campaign aims to combat the negative stereotypes associated with learning disabilities and educate people about the work that Mencap is doing to support people throughout the country.

Emma Harrison from Mencap, said: “By sharing positive stories of achievement and cele-brating the many superheroes Mencap hears about every day, we want to fight the stigma and discrimination many people with a learning disability face.”

As well as encouraging people to post on the charity’s Twitter and Facebook pages, a number of people wrote blogs describing the superheroes in their life who are challenging the misconceptions about learning disabilities through their inspirational actions.

Thomas Bachofner is the creator of inspirational blog ‘The future’s Rosie’ which celebrates the progress of his two year old daughter Rosie ‘Bud’, who has Downs Syndrome.

As part of Mencap’s project, he explained the many superheroes in his life, but dedicated Learning Disability Week to Rosie.

Mr Bachofner said: “You might think ‘how can a two-year-old be a superhero to a grown man?' It’s quite simple really; all I have to do is think back to Rosie’s first year, where she endured more than I have ever had to in my entire life. Rosie underwent open heart surgery at the age of six months.

“There is also the fact that this little two-year-old (with her special powers, of course) has managed to adjust my outlook on life and has changed the way I see the world; I've been around for thirty-something years now, and I'm almost sure she's the only person to have had such a major positive effect in such a short space of time.”

One blog, written by Stephen John, a Mencap campaigns officer in the North, dedicated his blog to his superhero, Lewis ‘Lewi’ Jones.

As part of his blog, he wrote: “Lewis ‘Lewi’ Jones sadly passed away on 8 August. Lewi was 62 and lived in Llanelli, South Wales. When I say lived, I mean really lived!

“Lewi was a good friend of mine and is and will always be my superhero. I am a Mencap campaigns officer in the North and I see lots of heroes on a regular basis. Parents, carers, charities and people with a learning disability; they all do something that is wonderful. “However, Lewi was unique because he changed so many people’s perceptions of learning disability without ever trying.

“Lewi broke down so many social barriers that people with a learning disability face.”

One blogger celebrated the work that learning disability consultant nurse Jim Blair has been doing to help people with learning disabilities to understand their own health in an accessible way.

Loyd Page, author of the blog wrote: “Jim is a superhero because he is thoughtful, caring, and patient. One of his super strengths is his humour – he tells lots of jokes. He is the first learning disability consultant nurse I have ever met.

“People with a learning disability can find it hard to express what is wrong with their health. Jim helps people with a learning disability to speak up about healthcare and how they’re being treated in hospitals.

“Jim helped to develop the Hospital Passport for people with a learning disability. The passport gives all the vital information that the hospital staff need when they are looking after a person with a learning disability. This can make a big difference in how people with a learning disability are treated.”

Other events were organised by Mencap to take place in local communities which celebrat-ed people with learning disabilities, but also offered the public an opportunity to learn more about the work that is being done by Mencap.

Some examples of events included coffee, cake and chat events in Coventry and Warwick-shire, a Carers Pamper Day in Wandsworth and a Family day hosted by Watford Mencap.

As well as local events, a collection of easy read recipes were created by some top UK chefs to get more people cooking throughout the country for Learning Disability Week.

All of the recipes were designed to be highly accessible to anyone attempting them. Easy to read print was used to accompany clear pictures of ingredients so that people of all ages and abilities could get involved.

It was not only through blogs that people celebrated their superheroes. On Facebook, people posted pictures of their superheroes and explained why they have been inspirational.

Maria, mum to Patrick and Kieran, who has learning disabilities and Autism, wrote about Patrick on Mencap’s Facebook page and said:

“Patrick, who is studying at University and works part-time is a brilliant carer for his brother Kieran, who has learning disabilities and autism.

“Kieran loves swimming and as well as being a brilliant brother, Patrick is a 'Mr Incredible' son to me as he also gives up his free time, early mornings twice a week (5.30-7am), as a volunteer coach for other swimmers who have learning disabilities.

“As a result four of his swimmers are competing at the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in Bath next week. I am so proud of him! He is a true superhero!”

Caroline White also wrote about her real life superhero - her husband Steve.

Mr and Mrs White’s son Seb has Down Syndrome and has become the first child with Down Syndrome to feature in a UK high street advertising campaign, when he appeared in Marks and Spencer’s Christmas advert last year.

Mrs White described the impact that her husband has had on their family’s happiness, and said: “If you asked either of my boys to name their super-hero, the answer is guaranteed to be either Buzz Lightyear or Spiderman. Although deep down I suspect their real superhero is the same as mine. Their Dad.

Mrs White concluded:“My husband Simon has never batted an eyelid about Seb’s condition and in those early, tough days, made ‘different’ normal. Seb is an equal and valued member of our little family and Simon has always made sure he is treated that way.

“I wouldn’t swap our family for the world.”

To read more blogs visit the Mencap website here: http://www.mencap.org.uk/tld-blog