Conversation moves…

Hi readers, it’s Emily and Kerry here, noticing how many different conversations topics we seem to cover when we catch up!

In the last hour we’ve updated our ‘about us’ pages for a video we’re making, then talked about what matters most to our members (adults with a learning disability) who attend PFD events, which is to keep seeing friends and having fun. With most members having families or carers to manage their affairs and sort problems, their main focus becomes the fun stuff!

That got us thinking about our own lives and things we manage. For example, when I Kerry, go to a new place, I must think about lots of things – is it accessible, an accessible toilet, can I get there independently and so on. Did you know sometimes disabled lifts are only accessible if you have someone with you? For me, Emily, recently I needed Mum’s help with an issue at home, but who will help me if Mum can’t, especially if it’s about support at home.

We then wondered about radar keys for disabled toilets being sold, and at such a low price, on Amazon. It’s good for people with an invisible disability, like a stoma bag or anxiety, who need the toilet urgently but don’t qualify as disabled, but could this be abused?

I, Kerry, then spotted Emily’s shoes, as they looked so comfy. This somehow took us to talking about bereavement, as I, Kerry, am invited to a meeting on it. With both of us now working with PFD and Weldmar Hospice, we ended up agreeing about how important end of life is, yet most people don’t plan this well.

So, a snapshot of our conversation. There is always more, and not enough room here, but we did put the world to right today!

The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff