Proving The Records Were Wrong
    
I left St Lawrence's in 1977 after 20 years. I've done lots of good things since then:
  • Chair of People First

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  • Travel to Canada, Europe, Zimbabwe.

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  • Speaking at conferences.

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  • Running workshops.

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  • Teaching people about speaking up.

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  • Talking to children in schools about bullying people with learning difficulties.

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  • Writing my life story.

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  • Visiting family and friends.

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  • Drinking plenty of half lagers!


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They were wrong to make those assumptions. I've proved them wrong. Some people have helped me and I want them to be put into this story. There's Flo, she's my friend, we both worked at the same factory when I first came out. I stayed in touch with her. She's great. I really like Flo, she's one person who is really important to me. She's been a great help to me. I used to go and have dinner with her on a Monday night, but not now because about six years ago something happened so I can't do that. But I do go and see her, she's a great lady to me Ð for me, she's like a foster mum. She's older than me but she doesn't act old! She's one of those old women who's got a young mind. She's lovely. She is helpful, she's very helpful! She's great, I like her.

I want to say about Mary, the lady I live with, because she's so good and so understanding and she does help with, like, the things that we can't do at home. This is something to appreciate her for. I went to Mary's from a big home. Since I've been there she has helped me to do the things I can't do, like matching clothes up, like using the shower, like keeping me calm so my face doesn't swell, and like reading, if she has time.

Photo of Mabel in the kitchen

And Foxley Lodge is a great centre, and I would like them to be put in just a little bit. It's a day centre for 22 people, and a home for two people with learning difficulties. They help us with things like knitting, sewing, cooking, telling us how much we weigh, reading and writing. It's quite small, and very nice.

There's Rita. I meet Rita on the bus, and I've made a friend of her. She works in Allders in Croydon. I'd just like to mention her. Last but not least there's Pauline and John. I've known Pauline for years. I have a week's holiday with them every year. I go to their home to stay.

Photo of Pauline and David

Of course, St Lawrence's has gone now. I was a guest of honour at the party when it started to come down. Not long ago, me and Gloria went up to have a look at what they'd done to the old St Lawrence's. They have changed it to houses. The old nurses' home is now all offices. It's for the Lifecare Trust. We walked through the new houses with Alison, from the BBC, pointing out where the old wards used to be.