Sharing a time when you felt totally included

Chloe_Alumni

This week (28th September to 4th October) is National Inclusion Week. The awareness week mainly focuses on employment and here is the theme for this year:

Our theme for National Inclusion Week 2020 is Each One, Reach One. It is about the opportunity that we all have to connect with someone else, or another organisation, to help them understand the opportunity of inclusion and connect. It is about individuals and organisations connecting and inspiring each other to make inclusion an everyday reality. Together, we will build the biggest inclusion chain ever.

However, on the community we want to talk about inclusion in every aspect of our lives. As a disabled person I have experienced many times where I have felt out of place or in the way because of my disability. Yet this isn't always the case.

A time when I felt completely included was at the CP Teens UK ball when surrounded by others with the same disability. CP Teens UK is a small charity that is based in Chesterfield. The aim of the organisation is to support teenagers and young adults with cerebral palsy and to provide the chance to socialise or play sport with others who have a similar disability.

For me, the annual ball is often the highlight of my year. It is a chance to raise money for a charity that is very close to my heart and have a good time. No one is looking at how you are walking or if you need your food cut up. You actually stand out more if you're not disabled!

What more can be done to make things inclusive? Do you have a moment when you felt totally included? Let us know in the comments below! 

Here are some resources that you might find interesting:

• Disability Viability Project (podcast) 
• Calendar of free diversity webinars
• Each One, Reach One campaign

Ami2301

Since becoming disabled (3 years ago), there has only been one day where I felt truly included, and that was the Superhero Tri 2019 with @hdeakin. I cannot put into words how amazing it was to be surrounded by hundreds, possibly thousands of disabled people. Nobody felt out of place and it was one of the best days of my life!

[Deleted User]

I feel included at my Taekwondo lessons, they all know me and the instructor makes allowances for my disability, Mr S is a right nice bloke as well, if he was any more laid back he'd fall over lol.

Chloe_Alumni

@Ami2301 I can imagine this day was truly magical!!! 

hdeakin

Ami2301 said:

Since becoming disabled (3 years ago), there has only been one day where I felt truly included, and that was the Superhero Tri 2019 with @hdeakin. I cannot put into words how amazing it was to be surrounded by hundreds, possibly thousands of disabled people. Nobody felt out of place and it was one of the best days of my life!

@Ami2301 I am so so glad to hear this ? I could not agree more with how the experience felt for me too. It is a great event. So inclusive and welcoming. The support we got and encouragement to manage to get over the finish line and to be able to do it together too was incredible. A special moment.
The cpteens ball sounds amazing @Chloe_Scope - I wish I was a bit younger! -I think 29 is maybe a stretch! ?

Chloe_Alumni

@hdeakin, 29 us not a stretch! We have people of all ages come to the ball.

leeCal

I had one job in fifty years where we all pulled together as a team, sharing resources, skills and knowledge and working with a shared vision. No bullying, no postering, just harmony. It was the best four months of my working life. And the key to it all was that we were mostly middle aged plus. The boss knew what he was doing, he wanted quality over quantity and we gave it to him. An extremely pleasant experience I’ll always cherish.

the next two jobs I had were the worst ever, just so my universe was kept in balance ?

Deresha

On behalf of my son, but we come as a pair.

A few weeks ago we turned up to a new dance class (for home educated children). The teacher took one look at his hearing aids and proceeded to ask his name in sign, to which he replied in sign too, even though he can  hear and speak too.  But anyway, the teacher took me aside and said she was rusty with bsl and could I stay for the session.  I replied that I’d be staying anyway due to his tracheostomy and other disabilities. Only then did I point at his wheelchair and entourage of equipment.  “Oh, I hadn’t even seen them....”.  Refreshing, I thought.  We go every week now. We have demonstrated equipment (and their noises) to other children in the class who no longer just stare. The teacher now merely asks for a brief update at the start of class, then cracks on with him like any other. Love her. She’s exceptional, and I’ve told her that.

Chloe_Alumni

Aw this is so lovely @Deresha!! I wish there were more people like this! 

hdeakin

I echo @Chloe_Scope. @Deresha what a wonderful teacher and person. She sounds lovely. It makes such a difference

hdeakin

Chloe_Scope said:

@hdeakin, 29 us not a stretch! We have people of all ages come to the ball.

Oow I heard about Cp teens when I was about 23 but thought I was too old then and have since got older lol! Where is the ball held? It sounds fabulous. I might have to get in touch with Ellie! X

Chloe_Alumni

The ball is in Chesterfield every year around October time. Unfortunately it's not going ahead this year, but is booked for 2021 @hdeakin.

WestHam06

Hi @Chloe_Scope,
                                Thank you for sharing this brilliant post with us, I'm sorry I am a little late to the party A time when I felt completely included was during a wheelchair basketball session where you had both disabled and able-bodied players. It was great, just playing and having a laugh, though there was little bit of competitiveness (nothing to do with me ) It was  a privilege to be a part if it. Thank you

66Mustang

This may be a bit of a cheesy answer but one of the times I feel totally included is on this forum. Everyone is really friendly and supportive and I feel like I can type out whatever is in my mind and people will be understanding. On other areas of the internet you have to moderate what you say before you post it to avoid possible ridicule but here I feel there is no chance of being ridiculed whatever you decide to post.

I also like that there are both disabled and non-disabled people coming together in one place. I still don’t know whether I am actually disabled or not but I feel like I fit in here. People are so welcoming and understanding regardless of whether you have a physical or mental “disability” and everyone is treated equally and their problems are taken equally seriously. Even if, in my opinion, my problems pale into insignificance compared to what some people on here have to cope with (and cope with very well), my problems are still taken just as seriously as everybody else’s and everyone sympathises and tries to help out.

Ross_Alumni

Lovely words @66Mustang, I'm glad you feel at home here. I couldn't agree more with everything you've said  

Chloe_Alumni

Thank you everyone, some great things!