Learning disability and then some!

[Sally426]

I have a learning disability and a condition with my thyroid, called hypothyroidism.

Having a learning disability can be hard, but having a thyroid condition as well is (sometimes) a double issue!

My hypothyroidism means I have an underactive thyroid gland which causes me mobility issues and affects my co-ordination. This means I can be slow with some movements and I sometimes fall over.

My learning disability means that I sometimes struggle to pay attention and digest information. I also sometimes need more support with certain tasks and parts of my job.

I have had this my whole life and it has affected me in different ways, but I have been still be able to achieve some fantastic things.

Throughout my life I have lived in different places, attended different schools and had many different jobs.

When I was younger, I attended a special school, mainstream schools and also a boarding school.

At school I sometimes found it hard to pay attention and be with the other school kids as I struggled to digest information at the same time as them.

Things did get a bit better but I was still seen as different to the other kids. I also had some accidents due to my coordination, I once split my chin open on a weekend break with my family!

When I moved to mainstream school things improved and I made loads of friends but found most of the lessons hard (especially mathematics!).

This was where my interest in theatre and films first appeared as I used to play act in the middle of the classroom, because I was eccentric and got bored easily!

Following this I moved to a up North with my parents where I received special assistance in school. My special assistant was called Miss Armstrong. She was a nice lady who wouldn’t take any nonsense from me when I used to joke around in lessons.

After school I went to college to get some more qualifications to help me get a job. I then took part in a YTS training scheme which helped me to get work experience and find a job.

My favourite job that I did as part of this was in hospital near a mortuary – which sounds scary, but it wasn’t, and I really enjoyed it!

Eventually I moved to London where I lived in supported housing. It was from here that I was put in touch with Mencap and applied for a job there, which I got! Since then I’ve done various roles in the organisation and now work in the Digital Team.

I now live independently in my own flat and travel to and from work, and around London in my free time, independently. I have a few hours support a week from my support worker who helps me out with different domestic tasks. I also receive a personal budget which helps me to go out and do the things I enjoy in my free time.

In my experience I think that society’s attitudes towards people with a learning disability can be varied but are improving. If I could give people without a learning disability some advice for interacting with people with a learning disability I would tell them not to treat them like children, to just take their time, to be understanding and know that some people might just need a bit more time and support with things.

For people with a learning disability who might be looking for employment opportunities, or support with housing, I would tell them that there is support out there, you just have to look in the right place. Places like Mencap’s online community and the Learning Disability Helpline are great ways to find advice and support to do the things you want to do in life!

I’m looking forward to hearing about other people’s experiences through this online community and will also use it to find out more about issues that are important to me.

[Freddy44]

Hi. It's great to hear your story. I'm not sure I'd fancy working in a mortuary.

[Marilin]

What an inspiration you are to the able bodied as well as those facing issues around their disabilities. Well done for not giving up and leading a full life.

[Sally426 in reply to Marilin]

thank u all

[WorkingCarerParent]

Thank you for sharing your story! It's inspirational to hear what you have achieved

[FilmMusicFan]

Hi. Thank you for sharing your story. My daughter has autism, ADHD and learning difficulties. She attends a special school now and was in a mainstream school for primary school. I work in a pathology department, which includes the mortuary, although the mortuary is three floors away from my office.

[Shue Community friend]

Hi, my mom had hypothyroidism but manage well on thyroid tabs. My sister had hyperthyroidism and had to have her throid destroyed with radiation. She now takes thyroid supplements but struggles so much with tiredness and weight gain, brain fog and forgetfulness. Even after 15 years of treatment they still can't find the correct dosage for her. Do you take thyroid supplement and if so do you find it beneficial or hit and miss?

[Physiologist]

Hi Sally,

What an inspiring post. What a lot you have achieved!