This is Me: Valuing the lives of people with learning disabilities


This is Me: Valuing the lives of people with learning disabilities


We have been working with the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities, PAMIS (Promoting a More Inclusive Society) and Down's Syndrome Scotland to raise awareness of the experiences of people with learning disabilities. Through a series of short films, our aim was to challenge stigma and discrimination and influence positive change.

‘This Is Me: Valuing the lives of people with learning disabilities’ brought together self-advocates with learning disabilities and supporter organisations, families and carers to tell their stories and share the changes they would like to see to make Scotland a more equal, more inclusive place for people with learning disabilities. 

Take a look at the selection of short films, poems, blogs and video blogs below, created with people with learning disabilities and family carers. You can also find these on our SLDO YouTube page. Keep an eye on #ThisIsMe22 for updates. 

Guest blog from Pat Graham


We invited Pat Graham to share her reflections and insights from her life as a parent to Lauren who has a profound learning disability. Pat also draws on her work as Chair of PAMIS, campaigning to improve the lives of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families. 

Read Pat's blog. 

Pat also kindly recorded a video of her reading her blog so that more people can enjoy listening to what she has to say. You can watch Pat's video at our SLDO YouTube Channel. 

A message from Lauren


Chair of PAMIS Pat Graham kindly shared this beautiful poem about her daughter Lauren. Lauren has a profound learning disability and Pat tells us that she wrote it to highlight that, even though Lauren is unable to speak, she has thoughts, feelings & aspirations like us all.
The message is to listen to people with learning disabilities. They have a lot to tell you. Read the poem 'A message from Lauren'.  

Guest blog from Fiona Dawson


We interviewed activist and self-advocate Fiona Dawson to hear about her work to support people with learning disabilities and her views on how we can all work to challenge stigma and discrimination, to make Scotland a more inclusive place. Read Fiona's interview here. 

Fiona also kindly recorded herself reading her blog so that more people can hear what she has to say. Check out Fiona's video on our SLDO YouTube channel.