Becoming a New Member of Norfolk’s Disabled Youth Forum 25th June 2011
My name is Laura Gosman and I have lived with Cerebral Palsy [Spastic Diaplegia of the Lower Limbs] since birth. Now at the age of 20 and on the way to independence, [I am currently studying Applied Social Sciences at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen] I am realising that I am not as comfortable with my disability as I previously thought.
Joining the Disabled Youth Forum in Norwich has enabled me to feel more at ease and empowered by my disability rather than viewing it as a barrier. I have also learnt more about other disabilities and have been forced to confront some of my own prejudices surrounding them.
The members of the forum are a very warm, friendly and welcoming bunch of people and I would enthusiastically encourage anyone who is interested in joining to do so.
Together we can change the face of disability for the better.
Campaign against the cuts March and Lobby 2011
The march took place on Wednesday the 11th of May. We, that is myself, Kate, Chris and various other members of the NCODP, set off from Framingham Pigot by coach at 8am and returned at about 7pm that evening.
We arrived in London at about 12:00, with the march starting at 12:30. Prior to the march there was a chance to see many people up on a big screen making speeches about what impact the cuts would have on disabled people, which was of course a negative one. The screen was set up at the point at which we all had to wait before beginning the march.
Many of the speeches were very good including one made by the CEO of the NCODP, Mark Harrison, and another even more passionate one made by Gerry Hunt, a member of the Darlington Association on Disability’s Youth Forum.
Once the march was underway, I felt there was a very positive atmosphere. There was very little tension and everybody seemed to have a good time.
Once the march was done I went off to meet my MP, Simon Wright, at Portcullis House. This was where we had launched the Youth Forum’s film back in March.
Overall, I felt the meeting went well. I managed to put across most of the points I wanted to make but didn’t get a chance to ask the questions I had prepared. However, he suggested that I mail these to him at another time so that he would then be able to give more detailed answers. I also felt that he seemed to be sympathetic to, and to a certain extent agree with, what I was saying.
Once we had finished, I met up with Caroline, Chris and Kate again. Shortly afterwards, we boarded the coach to head back to Norwich.
In all, I had an enjoyable day and felt it was a positive experience.
DISABILITY LIB CONFERENCE 2011
Rob and I attended the Disability LIB (Listen, Include, Build.) Conference, in Birmingham on the 9th of April this year.
We travelled to Birmingham by train on the evening of Friday 8th and stayed overnight at a Holiday Inn near the conference venue, which was Birmingham City University.
Once we had checked into the hotel, we went down to the hotel restaurant where we had dinner and met some of the other people attending the conference. The other people staying at the hotel with us were part of ALFIE (Alliance For Inclusive Education.), one of the partner groups involved in organising the conference, as most of the other groups would arrive at the conference the next day, having less distance to travel than we had had.
After some time spent chatting about ourselves in general and our organisations, during which a further two people arrived who would act as Sign Language Interpreters for the deaf attendees the next day, we all headed to bed.
After getting dressed and having breakfast the next morning, a taxi arrived to take us, myself, Rob and some of the other people attending the conference, to the conference itself.
Once everything was set up, the conference went well. To start with, Rob and I and then a group from Darlington, near Newcastle, went up on stage separately to talk about our individual groups and the ways in which we help our members to achieve what they want.
This was intended as a ‘showcase’ of how younger generations such as ourselves, pave the way for further equality in regards to disability by showing that we are just as able as anyone else to achieve what we want. However, owing to the fact that the audience was composed almost entirely of disabled members, and those who weren’t were disabled allies, I suspect we were preaching to the converted.
After a question and answer panel we had lunch and then in the afternoon we broke up into groups to discuss issues relating to whichever partner group was leading the discussion. I was sitting in on a discussion with people from the DAA (Disability Awareness in Action.) The discussion we were having was about Human Rights and how important they are, particularly for disabled people who are disadvantaged already.
Our conversation was cut short by the next activity which was an open mic session. Everybody who performed in that was impressive.
Finally, we wrapped up with our thoughts and impressions of the day.
Overall it was an enjoyable day, I had fun and I’m glad I went. It was encouraging to see such a positive attitude towards disability and what it means to be disabled
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A CINEMA EXPERIENCE WITH A DIFERENCE
Youth Forum film comes home to Norwich
After its success at Port Colours House in London on Monday the 24th of January this year, “Don’t Dis Me I’m Able” returned home to be watched by local celebrities, parents and friends of the youth forum members at Cinema City.
The film emphasises on the daily challenges and discriminatory actions both young disabled people and celebs face every day. All participants share with you there aspirations and how they overcome such barriers. Cartoons, role play, interviews, improvisation and grit and determination all play a big part in illustrating this.
Chris a youth forum member said, “This film was a journey and on this journey we’ve learnt many skills.” Ed another forum member seconded this by saying, “When we first started the film project I wasn’t sure how it would work out but now I feel it’s been a real success.”
The film received a positive reception at Cinema City, this was partly due to three youth members of the youth forum, Kate, Chris and Ian publicising the launch in a BBC radio Norfolk interview. They chatted about the very hands on approach to making the film and how it had given all the youth forum members opportunities and a chance to experience what it’s like to make a documentary right from the simple idea right down to the editing and adding the extras such as music and audio description.
“Don’t Diss Me I’m Able” is hopefully going to be used as a teaching tule in schools so that children grow up more aware of what people who have a disability face in their daily lives.
On January 24th the NCODP youth forum travelled to London to present their film “Don’t dis me I’m able”
An early start, a coach trip and politicians, not the three most appealing of topics! However on January 24th 2010 the NCODP youth forum found themselves on the way to London to present their film “Don’t dis me I’m able”. Unsure what to expect and who was going to be there. It was because of this that we all were a bit nervous and exited at the same time! The coach trip did however provide an excellent opportunity for us to prepare our presentation, many people could be heard mumbling and many thinking caps were on!
On arrival we had to be checked at security and then were shown into the room in which we would do the presentation. The room itself was quite large could hold up to 150 people.
The actual presentation got underway around 3 and we were all amazed at how many people, (some famous, some important and some both!) were there, it was amazing to see and we all felt like a part of something special.
The film was played and the audience was asked to participate in an open question and answer session. This provided both the Youth Forum and the audience with the opportunity to express their view and ask questions regarding disability.
The response from the people who watched the film was hugely positive they were amazed at the youth forums team spirit and collective talent.
All in all it was a huge success and the we all proved that we can achieve great things when we put our minds to it!
Thanks must go to Caroline and Rob though for organising and helping at the event along with all the other wonderful helpers!
Chris Reddington