Welcome to my 2nd blog ‘Assumptions and Attitudes’ Although my disability presents me with physical problems, it is often people’s assumptions and attitudes which frustrate me the most. I often describe these as forming an invisible barrier between me and the other person and the only positive thing is that as people get to know me better, I can feel this barrier coming down. The most common assumption which I find people make is that I have some kind of a learning difficulty just because I have a physical disability which affects my speech. One of the assumptions, which I can laugh about now, but not at the time, was when I was studying at University. I asked if I could go and meet someone, the person knew that I was a student as I said I would go and see them after my lecture had finished. On walking into the room one of the first questions which they asked me was ‘Can You Read.’ If I wasn’t so shocked then I would have replied saying ‘No, you only use picture books when you are studying for a degree!’
Another funny experience was when I was doing some work experience at a school for people with profound disabilities (a silly idea I know, but I wanted to study Health and Social Care at college.) When I was having my lunch break, despite being dressed in my college uniform, a member of staff came up to me and signed, ‘Do you want to read a book’ – she automatically assumed that I was a child at the school! I think I replied, pointing to the college logo on my jumper, ‘No thank you I am fine and just want to enjoy my lunch break.’
I know that I am not the only one who struggles with attitudes. Scope – the charity which campaigns for Equality for Disabled people carried out some research showing that 2 in 5 disabled people feel undervalued and disconnected from society with part of this stemming from people’s attitudes.
Challenging people’s attitudes was the main reason why I began Be Aware Be Clear, hoping to educate people and to make a real difference for other people who have disabilities
Be Aware Be Clear 
Good article Heidi. Really explains the difficulties you, and many others, will have encountered.
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I remember how hard your mum fought to get you into mainstream school. You were the brightest kid in the class and still are
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You have some good answers there – just hope it made them think!
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Thanks Heidi for your post your doing a great job educating people about disability as your friend i have become so much more aware of all these issues of young and old are affected through their lives, keep up god’s work you’re the best X
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