Abigail’s talk to the teachers
(Abigail was a key member of the first-ever integr8 trip to India to train and inspire teachers to include disabled in education programmes. Abigail gave this talk to teachers on the trip.)
Hello, my name is Abigail. I am 17 years old and I’m at college studying health and social care. My interests are guiding – I am a Young Leader and a Ranger, I help at Sunday School and participate in the Youth Group at church. I like watching Neighbours (which is an Australian soap) and doing craft activities. I have dyspraxia and aspergers syndrome.
What are dyspraxia and aspergers syndrome?
Dyspraxia is a condition which affects coordination, balance, fine motor skills, language and thought. I have it mildly and for me it has meant that amongst other things, my spelling and handwriting are poor. I was told that I can learn to do things like writing or riding a bike, but it takes a lot longer to learn. So I have had to work hard.
Aspergers Syndrome is on the autistic spectrum and is a social learning disorder. People with aspergers often have trouble making friends and they find changes to things difficult. For example, having a new kitchen at home. Having the new kitchen will be nice but I don’t like the process of getting it. I find it hard to understand what is going on quite often because I don’t pick up what people mean when they talk. I hear their words, but not their tone of voice, their facial expressions or body language. I often don’t understand jokes.
Although I’ve looked forward to coming to India, it has not been easy because there have been a lot of things to adapt to such as a different diet, climate, daily routine and the pace of the trip.
Other personal experience of disability
I don’t just have experience with learning difficulties, I also have experience with physical difficulties. My brother has spina bifida and is a wheelchair user. He is also a very good inspiration as he is a wheelchair athlete whose aim is to compete in the 2012 London Paralympics.
He was so disabled that when he was born the doctors didn’t know whether to recommend that he have an operation to survive or that he should be left to let nature take its course. He is paralysed below the waist and gets around independently using his wheelchair. He is a great inspiration because he just gets on with things and has done things that normal able bodied people haven’t done. Such as rock climbing, canoeing and camping. He has achieved these things by shear determination and the help of specialist equipment and people around him. People who are willing and able to find ways to allow him to do things were the most important. So often he just wanted to do what all his friends did. He went to a mainstream school and has just finished his GCSEs. He is going to college next year to study sport.
Why am I here?
I am here firstly because I am working towards my Queens Guide. One of the sections I have to do some Community Action. I saw Tim’s article about needing somebody over 16 with a disability to go on a mission trip and offered as it fitted in nicely. I am interested in helping disabled people and I think I might like to work with them eventually. I believe God wanted me to come on the trip.
I also liked the idea of travelling and seeing new places.
Achievements
At secondary school I was a prefect and I got numerous awards at Prize Giving. Last year I got one of the special awards which was the Miss Fraser Award for Excellence in Vocational Education. Two years earlier I was a member of the school’s Mock Trial Team which got through to the national finals. I also took part in a government video called’ Removing Barriers to Achievement’. This was about young people who had various difficulties achieving their potential.
Last year I passed all my exams gaining GCSEs in English, maths, science and drama. I also got an ‘A’ grade in the citizenship short course and a distinction in the BTEC in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism. In PE I passed my Junior Sports Leadership Award.
I achieved all this at secondary school because I had the right kind of support. When I was at primary school I did not get much help because my conditions had not been diagnosed. I found it very hard and stressful at primary school and was bullied. When I was given the right kind of support at secondary school I was a lot happier and could achieve my full potential.
My tips to other young people with aspergers or other disabilities
If you want to do things just give them a go.
It may take you longer, don’t worry.
Don’t underestimate yourself.
My tips on how to help young people with disabilities
They really need people who care about them, whether teachers, family or the wider community, believing in myself and then making an effort was very important. Anything you can do to help young people do this would be good.
Don’t worry if you feel short of equipment, although it is useful just use what you have. Your attitude, encouragement and belief in the students is far more important.
I really believe that God made us all to be just like Him. It doesn’t matter who you are. Whether you hop along on one leg or run around on two. God still loves you all the same. Now listen here, when you’re sad and lonely and feel like no one else cares, just remember that the lord Jesus Christ cares for you no matter who you are.
