Everyone’s Human Rights are Important

My name is Leeanne, and I am a person who has a background in the Care system and has lived experience of a Learning Disability. Over the years I have made a life for myself where I have been involved and worn all different kinds of hats in different parts of my life - to help and encourage other people to get their voices heard in different parts of the world and other organisations to try and make a difference worldwide and beyond! 

I want to tell you a little bit about my experience.  

Our Human Rights are no different to other people. People with a Learning Disability in particular who are also facing a care-experienced background face more barriers than most. More than a few people who have a Learning Disability do not get our Human Rights respected. This needs to be changed by listening to us who have lived experience and what we know. Those barriers are highlighted by services that are meant to be a support system in our lives. The choices, for example, to have a family in the future is another set of hoops to jump through and more.

When I was younger my birth family treated me as an outsider and did not want to see me as part of their family. I always thought I was on my own with this but through the years I came to realise that there are more people that I have met in different places such as people in organisations and friends that I have come to know over the years working alongside them. I tend always to say you never know who has been through the same thing as you until you speak up.

I would like to see the Scottish Government leading the way to educate those needing advice from someone who has firsthand experience of a very challenging childhood. The Scottish Government must work closely with those who have lived experience to do this the right way. 

What we need to say is very important, educational, and inspiring to other people!

I have written a book that combines my lived experience in one giant puzzle. The book is called ‘My Journey Through Life – The Real Me!’  I am also writing my second book which will reference a lot of important learning and lessons to be learned. Yes, the two books will highlight a lot of things. But the important message is that everyone is unique and important, and you need to understand that everyone is different. 

Today I would like to ask one vastly important question. To me, it is very important in today’s society: What do you think you would do to support people with a Learning Disability and care-experienced background to communicate better? For example, I would say communication is first and foremost and that people need to communicate with us to ensure that we get the right help from the right people and services. 

In my time as a trainer, I have always looked at my Learning Disability differently from others or I have questioned myself. Most of the time people have often told me when I was younger that I do have a Learning Disability but to be honest with you I do not see me having a Learning Disability.

I see someone who learns differently and who has a mild difficulty. Being part of the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodivergence LDAN Bill as one of the Leap members who help and advise the Scottish Government has made me question whether or not I have a Learning Disability. 

While on the Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodivergence LDAN Bill I was allocated by organisations that I have been working with over the years to be on a panel of people with Learning Disabilities to advise what was best for us to the Scottish Government. We worked very hard for over a year and still are to ensure that the voices are heard for people with Learning Disabilities in this bill. 

People with Learning Disabilities must be at the front of the bill instead of the back pages. There was a time during the process when we thought we were losing our voices. It is still a great opportunity for those who were on the Leap panel. People with learning disabilities attended over 56 meetings to ensure that people with Learning Disabilities are more than just heard in any part of the bill and their lives. 

Most people who enter the care system have several issues that are very important and unique. Most of these people do not have a voice or it is hard for them to stand up for themselves. The people with a voice do try their best to stand up for other people and not just themselves.