If you ask me…

Which professional has been most use to you?

Alan Faulkner, the manager of our social inclusion
project, supported me while I have tried some new and scary
things.

If you ran care services in your area what would you do
differently?

I would make sure that people’s wishes were really being
listened to. If we try something new and don’t like it, we need to
know we can go back to what we were doing before, whether that is
where we live, what we do during the day or anything else.

What three words best describe you?

According to the person typing this – funny, thoughtful and loyal.
I think I agree with her.

What event most changed your life?

Getting married. It’s what most people do and it made me
feel the same as others.

Has any government policy ever done anything for you?

Valuing people has completely changed the way people work
with us. Now we are seen as the “experts”.

When were you last angry?

Recently, when I realised the person I was talking to was
not listening. I was only there because I had a learning disability
and just to make them look as though they were working inclusively
and could tick the right box on their targets.

When did you last cry?

I find it difficult to cry, but I cried at the funerals of
my parents who died within two weeks of each other.

How would you like to be remembered?

Being remembered as somebody who made a difference – or as a nice,
helpful person – would be great.