In this blog we share stories from people with a learning disability about their life and relationships in support of Learning Disability Week.
Without interactions you can’t have a relationship and without a relationship I don’t think one can have a life of any real sort.
(Clinical Psychologist quoted in the Intensive Interaction Newsletter)
For Learning Disability Week, we are sharing stories from across Thera Group about how people with a learning disability are living the life they choose and smashing misconceptions about what they can achieve.
People with a learning disability live their life like everybody else. They enjoy their hobbies, interests and create meaningful relationships just like everyone within our society.
Many people with a learning disability have a desire to form meaningful romantic relationships just like people without a learning disability
Jordan Allan, Service Quality Director for Thera Scotland, recently gave a presentation where he explained his experience of being in a relationship.
I’m engaged to my partner and we’re getting married in two years. For a lot of people with a learning disability they aren’t encouraged or supported to get into a relationship or get married if they want. People think they don’t have the capacity, which is totally wrong.
Relationships are an important part of life and something everyone can have.
We recently spoke to experienced disability advocate, and new Service Quality Director at Thera North, who highlighted an awareness about sex and relationships for people with a learning disability. In particular, people with a lived experience who are LGBTQ+.
A friend of mine is LGBTQ+ and there isn’t any support in that regard for people with a learning disability. I know someone who came out and people would tell him no. You like women. You don’t like men. People don’t consider sexuality when considering learning disability and that’s harmful to people.
Attraction, sexuality, and relationships are a key part of most people’s lives, and those with a learning disability are no different.