Magic Mirror Ball

Lots of blip opportunities today: sun, torrential rain, hailstones, a rainbow....

My thoughts however were still on the events of last night. My friend S, a social worker specialising in children with special needs, was taking a group of kids to the Tate Gallery in Liverpool's Albert Dock for a special event, and needed help with transporting and caring for her 7 charges. I volunteered to help, despite having zero experience in this field, and can honestly say it was the most amazing and fun party I have ever attended. The gallery was transformed into one huge fun area, with 3 different discos (one silent for those who either couldn't hear, or were badly spooked by noise - if you chose to hear the soundtrack you just put on wireless headphones). Dressing up and face-painting were de rigeur, fun activities for the least mobile were available, and in a "quiet room" massages and soft lighting was provided for those who just wanted to chill out. Everywhere you looked people were just smiling, dancing and having fun. Despite the range of disabilities in evidence from slight to profound, children and adults were united in having an uninhibited good time - it was contageous and I couldn't stop smiling. The best moments for me were when M, a severely autistic 12-year-old girl who can't bear to be touched, reached out and held my hand, and L, a totally deaf teenage girl with cerebral palsy and no speech and unable to leave her wheelchair, gave me the most wonderful smile; the intelligence in those beautiful eyes but trapped in that silent body was hearbreaking.

I took lots of pictures but had already blipped yesterday, and anyway would prefer to not publish pictures of those lovely people who either can't or would not understand about giving consent. I will print them off to give to them instead, to remind them of the evening. I still feel deeply priviledged to have been involved. It puts all my petty concerns into perspective.