Healthy, Safe and Fulfilled Lives
Pro Active Community Board members were invited to present at Kingston University, as part of the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Learning Disability Community of Practice event.
An interactive and very vocal morning, listening to guest speakers danielle garratt and Shannon from Thumbs Up Brighton, Genny Breau University of Greenwich Staying Alive & Well Group leads Irene, Richard and Amanda sharing the LeDeR report for 2022.
‘Spot the difference’ as Richard has named it, still containing startling statistics, and as Amanda said with the high numbers of deaths for adults with learning disabilty “far too big for us”
Congratulations to the whole team involved in launching the newest Books Beyond Words almost 70 titles with over 80 stories - ‘Loving Babies’. Another excellent way to share information in an accessible, equitable way. Thank you Baroness Sheila Hollins, Katy Hollins and Emily.
The afternoon began with an uplifting and very active sing along with Alix Lewer and some of the Include.org choir members sharing Makaton signs and a chance to sign as well as sing.
Pro Active Chair, Leanne Yeo, took everyone through the Pro-Active Community year gone by and plans to come, the Disability Taxi Charter, and hot off the press, the first of 3 videos funded by VARB on ‘My journey to well-being’.
This was so well received! The film has received lots of praise from all the participants today
💜“The slide on co-production and the brilliant co-produced film lead us all to do more co-production with the real experts”
💜“Encouraging everyone to live a healthier life and having more accessible healthy living services”
💜“Work with others and share experiences”
Jonathan Beebee, Royal College of Nursing talked about LD Nurses and how we embrace the workforce.
He made the point “Autism often receives more focus than Learning Disability” and how this needs to be addressed.
Michael Fullerton, joined by Rachel and Alex sharing the PMLD Link information reminding us all to include PMLD in central decisions being made. ‘Removing the cloak of invisibility’, it’s not pitying that’s wanted but ensuring inclusion.
Everywhere needs a champion to represent those with different communication needs and support requirements.
Ivan Olbrechts MA CMgr FCMI VR asked everyone’s thoughts on the shocking and sad realities of DNACPR recommendations for adults with disabilities. Why are people not consulted on their thoughts about this difficult topic for many to talk about?
❓And finally, we were asked to think about a topic tricky for many, supporting people with learning disabilities to talk about death and dying. What more can we all do to make this mainstream and not taboo.
Brilliantly summarised by LDN George Matuska
encouraging us to take todays sharing and learning away and act on what we can.
Thank you to Daniel Marsden, Anna Cox and all the organisers, presenters and participants, a superb day.