Within Issue 111
Welcome to the summer edition of PMLD Link where the focus is on community and what community means to us. The richness of the articles in this edition provide a wonderful tapestry of the varying ways we connect with community.
We begin with Lucy Layzell’s article that highlights that ‘life with profound and multiple learning disabilities comes with complexity, medication, care planning, daily personal care, but it also brings with it deep connection, purpose, and moments of unforgettable joy’. At the heart of it all is a community of brilliant people.
This is followed by Dr Shahzad Ahmad sharing his family’s caring journey and the importance of a good community for carers.
People with profound and multiple learning disabilities, family carers and organisations, including self-advocacy groups, working together for inclusion and to problem solve is a theme across many of the articles. One of the very practical solutions, key to enabling people to live a full life in the community is, of course, having access to a Changing Places toilet, which feature across a number of pieces.
We are reminded by Lorena Hall that, true community isn’t just about inclusion in name. It’s about being seen, felt, and known. It’s about being more than a client, a file, or a schedule. It’s about belonging, for her son Mikey, and for those who love him.
Joanna Grace highlights the benefits and connections that online communities offer for families who may feel isolated and alone at difficult times in their lives. Finding connection through online communities can be based on interest and people can connect across geographical areas.
We are reminded what meaningful inclusion looks like when two schools work together to create one community rooted in empathy, mutual respect and the celebration of every learner. Frozen Light Theatre Company have been thinking about community a lot recently and they discuss what community means and asks how do we create it? The article allows us to think about space and how creating a space where people can do what they need to do, be welcomed, listened to and feel like they are accepted, is creating a community.
There are so many wonderful articles for you to enjoy in this summer edition of PMLD Link, you won’t be disappointed. So in the spirit of community, we invite you to make yourself comfortable, pour a cup of tea (or a beverage of your choosing) and enjoy this edition of PMLD Link where we celebrate our wonderful community.
Guest Editors: Maureen Phillip, Annie Fergusson and Bella Travis
