The last of the Sweet Peas
I think this will be the last bunch of sweet peas to be picked this summer, but they have done quite well.
A wet day but it didn't matter as I had errands to run: collecting my new specs from Stockbridge, and then collecting my Mother's repaired hearing aid from Alresford, and delivering it to her.
This evening, the rain stopped just in time for Winchester GoLD's BBQ at the rugby club. Over 70 members, staff, carers, and volunteers attended, and it was a great success. I had some very interesting one-to one conversations with a few of the members, and a couple of other supporters. I find it sad how people with learning disabilities often get overlooked, and decisions are made about them rather than with them, and instead of acknowledging what they can do, people judge them by what they can't do. One member told me of a recent cruise around the west coast of Scotland, which she had paid to go on, (and went on her own). They called in at only one port because it was assumed it was too dangerous to take the guests (who all had had some kind of LD)by tender to the other small ports. She had wanted to visit villages and to see life on the islands. When they did land at a port they had a coach trip and a teashop stop and then it was back to the ship for lunch! This lady is an accomplished actor and performs regularly in demanding drama productions. Like all GoLD members, she is desperate to play her part in society and to have a job, but it's difficult for most to achieve these aims. Fortunately, GoLD does provide much needed advocacy, practical help , companionship and interesting activities, but there's more work to be done!
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