Challenge Not Accepted: Liam
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Societal bias about disabled people often means it's assumed they shouldn't or can't take risks or push themselves to do something challenging. As part of our Challenge NOT Accepted campaign, we're sharing the stories of young people, like Liam here, whose medical complications don't prevent him living a full life.
His mum, Sarah, explains:
"Liam was born with a rare disorder that has caused epilepsy, learning disabilities and limited mobility so he often needs his wheelchair. He was also born without eyes and needed 30 operations throughout childhood to reconstruct his face.
But Liam’s medical complications don’t stop him living a full life.
Liam communicates through touch, sound and movement mostly. He can talk, most often repeating what he’s heard, or by answering simple yes/no questions, and he loves to sing, whether it’s a nursery rhyme or copying the tune of our doorbell!"
"Liam loves the sense of movement and so he loves swings, trains and the biggest, fastest fairground rides. My husband often gets off rides looking rather green, but Liam is ready to go again!"
"I was so grateful that his Rose Road support workers took him to Paulton's Park for his 21st birthday recently, with one of them even coming in on her day off just to make sure he had a good day. He went on his favourite rides more than once and enjoyed the train around the park as well.
And this is just one of the many special and exciting things Liam gets to do through his attendance at Rose Road’s Destinations day service since he left school".
"I can't do everything for Liam by myself and I know with Rose Road he’s been living his best life".
"He’s going out and accessing everything he enjoys. You have been like his second family. He has never cried or said no when he's gone off, and he always comes home happy.
Sound, and especially music, has always been very important to Liam too. He didn't always engage well in group music therapy sessions with other providers, but the individual sessions with Kathryn at Rose Road have seen a massive improvement in Liam's communication and interaction through the music they make together.
"You can just see the pleasure on his face, he really loves his time in music therapy".
"It's had such a positive impact for his sisters too, Liam needed so much of my attention at hospital when they were younger, and we couldn’t dedicate enough time to them. But we benefit so much from Liam’s overnight respite at Rose Road. It gives us a break so I can spend time with them doing things that Liam wouldn't enjoy.
We knew when we first visited Rose Road all those years ago. We said “Yep, this is it”, and you've been there ever since".
"It's amazing to know you're always going to be there. The future is going to be good for Liam because of you. Long live Rose Road!”
Watch our Challenge NOT Accepted video here, and find out how you can keep the conversation going here.
❤ Please donate to empower disabled young people to continue to push boundaries, break down barriers, and make their own decisions and have their voices heard, through person-centred and individually tailored support, activities and adventures with Rose Road.
❤ Download our Disability Awareness Conversation Guide(PDF) - developed for the campaign and designed to help you run informal, conversation-based workshops on improving inclusion and accessibility in everyday life and work. Topics include the Social Model of Disability, Effective Communication, Challenging Biases, Respectful Language and Promoting Self-Advocacy.