Gently changing perceptions: DownSideUp, a blog we love

Tania writes:

I wanted to share a blog post with you I've just read from Hayley at DownsideUp

Hayley's blog, about her journey with daughter, Natty, who has Down's Syndrome, gets stronger all the time and this post is one that highlights the importance of what blogging can achieve: an increase in understanding and awareness without it being shoved down your throat.

Hayley writes with warmth, humour and compassion but as ex-Cllr Brewer discovered, she's not someone you would want to tick off either.

I've been reading a lot of posts lately for the Mumsnet #ThisIsMyChild campaign and you can find my round-up on here Mumsnet.

There are quite a few SEN bloggers these days and it was a pleasure to discover some new ones. For me however, the cream of the crop is Downsideup, (though I am very partial to a bit of Just Bring The Chocolate when she's around too...:))

So here is an excerpt from Hayley's post:

MUSICAL and LOVING aren't they?

Well, I guess I can dispel myth and challenge stereotype just as efficiently through family tales and amusing anecdote, so let's take a light-hearted look at one of the first things most people say when they meet someone who has a family member with Down's Syndrome...

"Oh, I hear they are so loving, and very musical too."

Firstly I have to say that I never roll my eyes, or even inwardly tut, when people say things that bely their limited knowledge of Down's Syndrome. That was probably me once. I too didn't know it was a 'baby with Down's', not 'a Down's baby' before I began on this journey. If people's intentions are kind and they have taken time to come and talk to us, then we shall be ambassadors and leave them with a positive image of the people they met.

But yes, I have heard that before, and I am putting a penny in a jar every time I hear it. One day we will go First Class to Bermuda on the contents of that jar 😉

Read the rest here

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Tania Tirraoro

Founder, Co-Director at Special Needs Jungle

Founder of Special Needs Jungle. (She/Her) Parent of two young adults with autism. New grandma. Tania, who is autistic, is a leading SEND advisor, working with the Special Education Consortium, Ofsted, and Whole School SEND. She is also an Advisory Board member of the Royal Holloway, University of London Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and an Editorial Board member of Springer Nature Gene Therapy journal.
Tania is an experienced broadcast and print journalist & author. She also runs a PR, web & social media consultancy, SocialOro Media.
Tania is a rare disease & chronic pain patient advocate with Ehlers Danlos syndrome.

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