Within Issue 114
This issue begins with Julia Dixon’s account of the diagnosis, treatment and recovery from breast cancer of her daughter Victoria. Julia’s account provides a wake-up call for hospitals since increasingly more people like her are likely to be presenting with cancer and other health problems in future.
Maureen Phillip describes how film production with people with PMLD (profound and multiple disabilities) provides them with opportunities to be seen and heard. Hayley Earlham writes about the co-production with learners with PMLD of a multisensory theatre for presentation at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. Katie Elin-Salt and Anna Liddell describe the creation of Oshi’s World multisensory theatre and their first project. Rachel Pilling and Gwyn McCormack describe a study of the effectiveness of Marvin’s Story Time Show in promoting the engagement of learners with PMLD in story time. Sharon Kettleborough reminds us of the benefits that the great outdoors can offer with great photos of learners engaged in activities. Jennifer MacDonald describes how she co-produced with people with learning disabilities a popular illustrated book highlighting what the resource centre service users go through daily.
Fathima Nowshard and Charlotte Fernandes draw on research to focus on how learners with PMLD engage with sensory experiences and how assessment systems must align with the realities of the pedagogy for them. Carrie-Ann Atkinson and Leigh Wharton write about the importance of networking with colleagues in other schools and engaging in meaningful professional dialogue for professional development. Fay Mudd, an educational psychologist, provides insights from her research which have led to her adopting a professional stance that is thoughtful, open and willing to learn from those who know the child best, particularly parents.
We do encourage family carers of people with PMLD to take part in an extension to the Lives of People with PMLD project (see page 34). Nicola Grove, Gosia Kwiatkowska, and Karen Bunning are researchers committed to involving in their research people with PMLD. Their important paper communicates the challenges they face when applying to research ethics committees for approval to do their research and the arguments successfully deployed to secure agreement. Becky Churchill, Katie Crouch and Ben Simmons describe a partnership with a specialist day service and family members that led to the creation of a video resource that can be used to educate policymakers and professionals.
Kate Sainsbury describes how she realised that her young son was using snatches of song to communicate and how this led to the development of their trusting relationship. Kate Adams also focuses upon the importance of listening and describes the use of a Listening Bowl, which is held by the listeners, and underscores their responsibilities in attempting to connect with the communicator.
Jo Grace reflects on the personal connections to the disability rights movement of her parents and grandparents and their lived experience of changing attitudes toward disability. Jo argues for ensuring people with PMLD are visible in public spaces to challenge stereotypes, promote inclusion and create lasting social change. Maddy Rose shares updates on the Government’s Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the importance of continuing calls for targeted cost of living support for people with a learning disability.
The Editorial team members are Maureen Phillip, Michael Fullerton, Pete Navarra, Ben Simmons and Rob Ashdown.
