Latest news with #DownsSyndrome
BBC News
17 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Special educational needs school leavers working as classroom assistants
Classroom assistants Dan McKee and Savanna Presho are both aged 20 and have Down's with 22-year-old Ben McCreight, who has a learning disability, they are working hard to make a positive difference to pupils at two primary schools in Bangor, County and Ben work as classroom assistants in Clandeboye Primary School, while Savanna works in Bloomfield Primary principal of Bloomfield PS, Rebecca Bishop, told BBC News NI that Savanna "brings out the best in our pupils." BBC News NI visited the school to see her at work in the school's polytunnel, helping the pupils learn about how to grow flowers, plants and also works with pupils in the school's nurture unit and P1, supporting the teacher."She's fitted in here like she's part of the furniture," Ms Bishop told BBC News NI."Savanna comes in here and just enjoys being part of our everyday."She brings that natural empathy which all children have within them, and that willingness to engage and to work with new people."It's nice for them to see somebody different coming into school and have that opportunity to shine with their own personalities." Just over a third of people with disabilities in Northern Ireland are in work, compared with more than half in the rest of the to the Department for the Economy (DfE), adults with disabilities in Northern Ireland are twice as likely to be unemployed as those without a disability. Making a difference At Clandeboye Primary School, principal Julie Thomas says Dan and Ben working in the school every Monday had made a difference to said he loved the children and staff in the school and looked forward to work every Monday."We help the kids doing PE and after that doing some work," he Thomas added: "Dan and Ben have been working with P1 and in our nurture room, The Nest, to help support the children with their practical activities and their social activities and also their time outside in the playground."Within a very short time, we've seen their confidence grow."They have grown in how they're seen within the building."They've made really good relationships with the staff as well as the children and we just see them as part of our staff now in Clandeboye Primary School." At Clandeboye, Dan and Ben were role models, Ms Thomas said."With us working now fully with children who have additional needs, I think it's important for the families of those children to see that there are other experiences once the children go beyond school life themselves and on into adulthood," she said. SEN support Parents and school principals have highlighted how support for young people with special educational needs (SEN) ends when they leave have campaigned for to change that and introduce statutory support until the age of is a situation that Robert McGowan runs Strides Day Opportunity Service in Bangor, which provides work experience and other classes for young adults who have come through special education. Mr McGowan arranged Dan, Ben and Savanna's placements as classroom assistants with the two primary schools."Dan started in special education as a boy of maybe five or six, so he's had 13 or 14 years in special education," he said."Then the provision stops. Once they reach the adult sector, there seems to be a gap there."All that effort, all that consistency, all that time that's been spent that can ease off and almost dry up."Mr McGowan also said it was important to provide "meaningful" work experience for young adults with disabilities.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
How a Dubai dad turned his daughter's joy into heartwarming children's book series
Safder Nazir never imagined that a quiet weekend, writing at his desk, would mark the beginning of a legacy. But in 2023, the seasoned tech executive and father of five published The Adventures of Layla, a heartfelt children's book inspired by his youngest daughter. Layla, now eight, was born with Down's Syndrome — and it's her joyful spirit, fierce determination, and magnetic presence that shaped not only the pages of a book, but the very soul of a family. 'I wrote it for her — and for children like her,' says Nazir, 53, who has called Dubai home since 2003. 'Layla is a gift. I wanted the world to see her that way too.' The Adventures of Layla isn't a book about disability. It's a celebration of curiosity, courage, and slices of experiences from Layla's life. The first story, Layla at the Beach, is based on one of her favourite places and her unique experiences — from packing her backpack to finding a disability parking space. The upcoming sequel, Layla and the Party, recounts a touching moment when Layla lost her helium balloon and simply said, 'Why can't Daddy get it back when he can do everything?' 'These are the moments that stay with you,' says Nazir. 'They're funny, profound, and entirely her.' Though many know him as the senior vice president for public sector at a global tech firm, few realise Nazir's quieter role as an author capturing tender memories in prose. The books subtly weave in themes of inclusion, resilience, and diversity — not by making them central, but by celebrating Layla simply as the star of her story. A father's purpose For Nazir, Father's Day isn't just a date on the calendar — it's a time for reflection. His journey into fatherhood began decades ago in Manchester, England, where his two elder daughters were born and raised. He moved to Dubai with his wife Carla, a teacher, in 2003, building a life grounded in love, values, and spirituality. Together, they raised five daughters: Raihaanah (25), Sumayyah (23), Ameerah (18), Safiyyah (16), and the youngest, Layla. Nazir and Carla were in their mid-forties when they discovered they were expecting Layla. 'We thought we were done,' he chuckles, recalling the surprise when Carla informed him she was pregnant again. 'But Layla was always meant to be. I believe every soul destined to be born will arrive, no matter what we plan.' Like many older parents, they were offered advanced prenatal testing. One test suggested their daughter may have Down's Syndrome, and termination was suggested as an option. Nazir's response was immediate and resolute: 'That was never an option.' And so, Layla arrived — reshaping not just his schedule, but his soul. From her earliest days, Layla began redefining expectations. Though initial concerns included a hole in the heart, possible developmental delays, and other challenges, she defied most of them with courage and light. 'She might not be the fastest runner in school,' Nazir says, 'but she's strong in spirit, and she loves physical activity. She has changed all of us. Her presence influenced everything — even my eldest daughter's career path.' A late talker, Layla spoke her first word at four. Inspired by her sister's speech and language therapists, Raihaanah pursued the same path and now works with the National Health Services in Manchester. Sumayyah is following her own calling in dentistry, after a degree in biomedical science. Ameerah, also influenced by Layla, is studying to be an occupational therapist, 'We raised them with one principle: serve your community. That's where gratitude and fulfillment come from.' The idea of legacy runs deep in Nazir's parenting. From teaching his daughters how to assemble furniture and handle car repairs to ensuring one-on-one bonding time — he's instilled confidence and independence in every daughter. 'He is their only male role model and he is determined to be the best one possible,' says Carla. Their household was built on small rituals with big meaning. One conundrum he faced was which child to greet when he returned home from work. He solved it by lining them up — youngest to eldest — so that there would be no complaints. 'This is a path we follow for everything,' laughs Nazir. 'Youngest to oldest.' The heart of the home Despite the challenges of raising a child with special needs, Safder exudes calm and certainty. 'I never worried too much. I don't stress about milestones or timelines. My belief is that each child comes with their own provision — their own destiny. My job is to do my part and raise them with love, respect, and guidance.' Layla isn't just the youngest — she's the heartbeat of the family. Her laughter fills their home, and her resilience reshapes perspectives. One of their favourite pastimes as dad and daughter, was running together in their compound — from one lamppost to the next. 'I taught her to pace her breath, to keep going. On sports day, it became a prompt for her when we shouted out: just one more lamp-post.' Managing five daughters across different life stages hasn't been easy — but it's been deeply enriching. From errands and road trips to solo meals, Safder ensures they get individual quality time. Even now, with three daughters living abroad, the family remains closely knit. 'They come home often — and always make time for Layla.' In their home, Layla isn't treated as someone different. She's included in everything, encouraged to try, and celebrated for being exactly who she is. A digital legacy Beyond his books, Nazir is quietly compiling a digital archive of Layla's life — short videos, reflections, milestones. Not for likes or views. 'It's for her to look back, to see how far she's come. To believe that she can do anything.' And she already is — in her own time, in her own way, cheered on by a father who sees her not through the lens of limitation, but love. 'I dote on all my daughters,' Nazir says. 'But Layla… she's different. She's changed me. She's taught me patience, perspective, and joy in the simplest of moments.'
Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Times
We don't see anyone like us in jobs, say people with Down's syndrome
A lack of visible workplace role models is a big barrier to seeking employment for those with learning disabilities such as Down's syndrome or autism, a study has found. There are about 1.3 million people with learning disabilities in the UK, but only about 5 per cent are employed. Three quarters of people with a learning disability would be more confident in applying for jobs if they saw similar people in customer-facing roles, according to the research by the polling company Savanta. Only 16 per cent of employed people with learning disabilities said they knew someone they could learn from with a similar condition in the workforce. More than 500 people with learning disabilities and their carers took part in the survey, conducted for the Hilton hotel group. Only a quarter of carers said they had ever been served by someone with a learning disability. A separate poll of 2,000 consumers found high support among the general public for having people with learning disabilities in customer service jobs. Three quarters of respondents said there were not enough people with such disabilities working in hospitality jobs, and more than nine in ten said it was important to see staff from all backgrounds in such roles. Although more than half of the UK's disabled population were in work last year, the share for those with a learning disability was only 5 per cent GETTY IMAGES Sam Innes, a food and beverage assistant with Down's syndrome at the Waldorf Hilton in London, said it had been a relief to find work at the hotel after struggling to find a job. 'I've always wanted to work and be around people, and I knew a hotel would be the perfect place to do that,' he said. 'Having a job helps people with learning disabilities feel valued and shows others what we can achieve when given the chance. It's boosted my confidence and helped me become more independent.' Mark Costello, principal at Aurora Foxes, a hospitality college that supports young people with learning disabilities, said: 'When people with learning disabilities see others like themselves thriving in customer-facing roles, it inspires confidence and ambition.' Stephen Cassidy, senior vice-president of Hilton in the UK and Ireland, said: 'Representation matters — seeing people like yourself succeed at work builds confidence and opens doors to career opportunity. 'Our team members with learning disabilities contribute across a wide range of roles, from front-of-house positions like reception and concierge to behind the scenes work in kitchens, housekeeping, and revenue management.' A diverse team brought 'unique strengths' and 'enrich[es] our culture,' Cassidy added. 'By providing the right support and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, we empower individuals to reach their full potential and demonstrate that inclusion is a powerful driver of success in hospitality.'
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children? review – fails to properly tackle the stigma around disabled babies
For the makers of Ellie Simmonds' new documentary, Should I Have Children?, the most powerful moment of the show is clearly supposed to be when she finds out why she was given up for adoption. It is emotional viewing: her birth mother speaks of her difficult circumstances (she had kept her pregnancy secret), the purely negative information she had been given about Ellie's dwarfism, and, most poignantly, how she thought of Ellie every day in the decades before they met again. It is deeply moving, for Ellie and the viewer. For me, though, the most powerful moment is altogether less charged. It comes when Ellie visits David and Megan, whose pregnancy she follows after they are told their baby almost certainly has Down's syndrome. We watch them grapple with the ramifications of the diagnosis including their fears for the child's future and the decision about whether to terminate the pregnancy (90% of pregnancies involving a diagnosis of Down's syndrome are now terminated). David talks movingly of struggling with the idea of his child being bullied. Yet when Ellie visits them at home, everything has changed: the baby is there, and the couple are clearly smitten. 'All the worry completely evaporates the minute you see her for the first time,' David says, in an ordinary expression of fatherly love that is also a powerful statement about how the reality of disability is so often removed from the fear it provokes. While the documentary asks a lot of important questions, I wish it took a little more time to examine where that fear comes from, and how much it plays into people's decisions to terminate a pregnancy or give a child up for adoption. It's there briefly in David's comment about bullying, and in another he makes about worrying over who will look after their child once they no longer can, but it's not probed more deeply. The focus is on the medical, on the individual choice parents make about whether they can cope with a disabled child, but not on the question of whether, in a world that often provides little help to these parents and constantly devalues the life of their child, that is even a free choice at all. Ellie does mention the role stigma plays but the documentary would have been stronger and had a bigger effect on public attitudes if it had addressed this wider, social dimension. There are other important questions that don't get attention, not least the law that means that, in the UK, abortion is generally allowed up until 24 weeks of pregnancy, but is legal up until term if there is a significant risk of foetal 'abnormality'. Whether these laws are correct or not can never be fully answered in a one-hour documentary (or perhaps ever), but it does feel like an oversight not to even mention the disparity – or how it feeds into the issues that are addressed in the film. Ellie's own, personal dilemmas are also not fully addressed. We see her find out about her chances of passing on her dwarfism to any children she may have, but, again, the conversation is entirely medical. The ethical concerns are left unspoken, perhaps allowing audiences to conclude that passing on a genetic condition is always bad – even though that isn't necessarily true, and it's not clear Ellie believes it is (she worries that genetic testing will mean no babies with dwarfism will be born to parents with the condition). There is no assertion of disabled people's human right to a family life, or mention of how often disabled people's reproductive rights are systematically abused (in many parts of the world, including the US, disabled people can still be sterilised without their consent). There is also no discussion of the prejudices disabled parents, especially those with genetic conditions, face or the lack of services to support them; both of these problems feel crucial if the central question – should Ellie have children? – is to be properly addressed. Once again, the social aspects of this decision seem to be overlooked. The documentary is thought-provoking, and Ellie's genuine compassion for everyone she meets makes it a compelling and worthwhile watch. There is only so much she can cover in an hour and audiences will still learn an enormous amount. As she says, most people do not have to consider all these issues when they have a child, and it can only be a good thing to get the public to think about them too, especially in the judgment-free way Ellie approaches her work. But we must remember that for all the medical information, the decisions people make about having a disabled child or being a disabled parent are shaped by fear and stigma. We need to talk about that a whole lot more. Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children? aired on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong charity stages disco to help neurodiverse adults feel ‘what it's like to party'
Eric Wong Hok-pan loves buses. He is familiar with many of the routes in his home city of Hong Kong and knows what year some vehicles were built. Wong is particularly passionate about vintage buses – especially when it comes to photographing them. 'This one is old, built in 1998,' says Wong, proudly showing off his vast collection of bus photos on his Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Wong's hobby recently took a bad turn when he was bullied by a group of teenage boys while photographing his favourite subjects. Eric Wong Hok-pan and his mother, Amy Chung, at Hong Kong charity Love 21 Foundation's headquarters in San Po Kong. Photo: Kylie Knott Wong has Down's syndrome, a genetic condition caused by unusual cell division resulting in an extra copy of chromosome 21 that affects appearance and the ability to learn. It was not Wong's first experience with bullying, but the abuse left him traumatised and dampened his enthusiasm for photography.
