Learning Differently, Living Fully and Being Me

Hi, I’m Teri, I’m 27 and I live in the borough of Elmbridge.  Since quite a young age I have known that I learn differently to my peers, but that’s OK, I haven’t let it hold me back.  In fact I am currently working in a children’s nursery and I love it!

Looking back I can remember that school was a bit of a struggle as I was in mainstream education but when it got to secondary level I was finding it tricky to move at the same pace as everyone else.  It became clear that I should have really gone to a special educational needs school and been given better support with my learning, but I guess that’s just the way it goes sometimes.

Thinking about this year’s theme for Learning Disability Week ‘Do you see me?’, I guess I do feel seen, but sometimes I think people don’t realise that I do have differences- which is maybe not the way round people might think it would be.  I have in the past been given some strange looks, but I try not to let it get me down.

I’ve also been lucky in that my Mum, my Nan and my Grandad have all been really supportive of me, and I am really close to them.  That helps me a lot.   I have also been coming to ECL for a while now, and I really like attending the weekly sessions – it’s fun, I can socialise with people and the most important thing is that I can be ‘me’.  I love coming somewhere where I have that freedom. 

To find out more about ECL, activities for people with learning disabilities and joining in, please contact Pier by email on coordinator@eclwalton.org.uk