Not Lost Book Launch

Hi readers, Emily, Kerry and William here. Life has gone a bit crazy for us this week!

It started last Monday. We, Emily and William, met Cat and publisher Olli, who brought to Dorset the ‘Not Lost’ books, hot off the press. We opened the first box. It felt amazing, to hold it in our hands!

Laura then dropped us home and walked into town to meet someone. Who should immediately walk out in front of her? Susie!  A kind passer-by snapped Laura holding Susie and ‘Not Lost’ in front of the Oxfam window. Behind them a sign says, ‘Find Joy, Give Joy’. This could almost be Susie’s motto! It’s also like Susie planned this book. First, her unlikely appearance at Laura’s flat, getting the ball rolling which encouraged us to write Not Lost, and now standing there waiting for Laura to show her the book!

So many people have asked about ‘Not Lost’ this week, even researchers from Warwick University that I (Kerry) and PFD are working with, who want a copy too.

For the three of us, it feels exciting to be part of this, and we are extremely proud to be doing something so positive and that people seem to like. It’s made us feel more connected to our local community too. Even if sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming, it also feels like a warm inner smile. When we overhear people talking about Susie or Not Lost, it’s hard to not butt in and talk to them!

Finally, a very big thank you to Dorchester’s Town Crier, Anthony Harrison, who wrote a cry for ‘Not Lost’, and performed it on Saturday in Dorchester with us. It felt amazing!

Don’t forget, if you can come to the book launch on Wednesday 23rd October, from 5-6pm, at the Dorford Centre, we’d love to see you.

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