Page 13 - Community Living Magazine 32 - 2

interview

disabilities? “It’s getting worse of need and different kinds of
in some respects, because of Jackie Downer: “When I see ability but definitely they are
the cuts. The youth service, people integrating, it gives 100% and I am so happy.
elderly, ethnic minorities and me hope” Some of them are young and
people with learning disabilities some of them are older and
– the funding is not there for they are really good.”
anybody. I think it’s harder for Downer mentions one of
everybody. the staff in the local job
“The funding is not there like centre who has also been
it used to be - like for People supportive.
First, advocacy, and they used Does she think people are
to go out and do things”. more aware of those with
She still feels positive, learning disabilities than used
though. “People with learning to be the case?
disabilities give me hope, “I think so. I think it’s
because people are doing getting better. I see people
things. We’re out on the street doing more things now and
and we’re doing various things going out in the community
and I think employment is more. And doing activities
getting better. I have got and working. Before, we
employment and I mix with never used to do that. I know
other people. certain people are doing the
“I can do certain things and [supermarket] trolleys still …
certain things I can’t do. Like but they are still working.”
with the Unicorn Theatre, I
know that some people with another chapter
learning disabilities can’t do the Downer says she and others
till but we can do other things. her age, are looking forward
“And when I see that, when I to the next phase in their
see people integrating, it gives lives. She means getting older.
me hope. My support workers “Our bodies are changing.
and other family members give It’s another chapter. Are we
me hope as well. I achieved certain things somebody say, ‘We are going to stop your going in a care home? That’s the future.
and I need to learn from my achievement benefits’ while I am crying on the That’s the finishing off.”
but I am happy.” phone?” Meanwhile, her housing benefit As a part-time worker, she worries about
is discretionary, which is another concern. getting a pension. However, she recognises
Benefit blues “It does grind you down,” she says. “you she has done better than many of her
Before this interview, Downer said she get depressed. They have got the power. peers. “Some of my friends haven’t
wanted to talk about her experiences with What can you do? worked since they left school.”
universal credit. “All I can say is they “And who makes the money at the end For a message, she recommends the
don’t know what they are doing. How can of the day? Not the people with all kinds song Something Inside So Strong by Labi
you go to two doctor’s appointments?” of physical disabilities or mental health or Siffre. “If you listen to that, you will
she says.
continue going on with what you’re going
anything. The doctors that see you are
“ Working makes the getting £60 or £70. They are making the on,” she says. “The words say it all. It
money.”
makes people strong. Anytime I think
Her small team of support
about it, I take the courage.”
workers,
As Siffre suggests, people should
difference in people’s
lives. It has definitely some grow taller if others build barriers, and
respond to their rights being taken away
voluntary and
by running even faster, driven by
some funded,
made a difference
Her support worker explains she ” are “a lifeline”. Downer has
an inner strength.
in my life
She recognises
It is certainly
they too have
what Jackie
needs: “They
done for her
underwent two assessments in error and have all got whole life. n
their own
there were problems in how she was different kinds
given information about her benefits Seán Kelly was chief
assessment. Despite having received an Downer has executive of the
apology from the Department for Work & coauthored several Elfrida Society from
Pensions, Downer is still waiting for an publications for 2001 to 2012 and is
appeal hearing almost a year later. Books Beyond Words: “They involve now a freelance
Universal credit nearly broke her down. people with learning disabilities from writer and
“I was crying on the phone. How can day one” photographer
www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 32 No 2 | Winter 2018 13