This week is Learning Disabilities Week and to highlight this we are hearing from local people who want to make all of us more aware of what life is like when you have a learning disability.
Billy Lai is supported by the Council’s Promoting Independent Living Service and is employed as an expert by experience by the Health Authority to deliver the Oliver McGowen training to health and social care workers in Coventry and Warwickshire.
He wanted to tell us more about the training.
Billy explains: “Hello, my Name is Billy. I am an Expert Oliver McGowan trainer.
“The photo above is me with lead Oliver McGowan trainers.
“You may ask what I am an expert in?
“I am an expert with lived experience of a learning disability and autism.
“You might ask who Oliver McGowan is and why is it important!
“Oliver sadly died due to not being listened too or understood. Oliver’s death highlighted the need for healthcare staff to have better access to training that offers a greater understanding of autism and learning disabilities.
“We are part of a movement to reduce health inequalities. To make sure people deliver person-centred care, and the impact of this that give autistic people and learning disabilities the opportunity to live in the way that we like to and live, happier, healthier lives.
“I give people ideas and lived experience about autism and learning disabilities. Having a learning disability means I sometimes have difficulty communicating with people and others around me.
“We talk about people talking gobbledegook and how it feels, when I don’t understand what is being said. People using jargon can be confusing and unfamiliar with medical terms and meaning.
“I speak about what a reasonable adjustment is and how that can change my experience. For example.
- Speak clearly and use simple words.
- Having family, carers, or support assistants at appointments.
- Appointments with extra time, at a suitable time in a quiet place that start and finish on time.
- Accessible printer/digital
- Hospital passport
“Speaking to people telling them about my experience, and things that have happened to me when I have visited a health professional. Makes me feel like I am helping others, so they don’t have the same experiences as me.
Billy explains: “It gives people an idea of how it made me feel and what I felt. I like receiving feedback each week, this makes me feel heard and understood. I like talking to people, and listening to how they feel they could do things different.
“As the weeks and months have gone on, I am growing in confidence and look forward to delivering training each week. I like walking into the room full of people and being part if a team delivering the training, I am keen people ask me questions.
“I can get frustrated when people don’t ask questions, this can make me feel like I have not done a good job and they are not listening. I have expressed these feeling to lead trainers, who advised me I am doing a good job, and what I have to say is valved and heard. Sometimes people don’t think and its nothing personal to me. To help me process that and make me feel empowered. I receive each week feedback from people who have attended training.
“I like receiving this feedback each week and have print it out to put in a frame. This sits proudly on my windowsill.
“I have formed strong relationships with other trainers, and we meet regularly for a chat and to check in on each other.
“This month I am taking part in a recruitment drive for new Expert trainers. This gives me the opportunity to talk about what we do with pride and confidence passing on my knowledge and skills. Each event I attend, I like to dress smart and feel business like. This is important to me and makes me feel like all the other people on the bus going to work.
Billy added: “I am buzzing that I can earn my own money. I have the power to choose what I want to buy and when. I joke with staff and family I earn my own money and I am not telling you how much it is.
“Working for the NHS has been a long-held dream of mine, following other family members. I am incredibly happy to have been given this opportunity.
“Due to all our hard work, starting and providing this training. We have been nominated by people attending training for an award.
“The National Learning Disability and Autism awards, who, for the very first time, have a specific Oliver McGowan Training Award
“We are a finalist!!!
“I am really looking forward to attending a black-tie awards ceremony on Friday 21 June 2024.
“I have never been ICC Birmingham, especially as a finalist. I have my ticket booked and traveling by train with other trainers. I am hoping people ask for my autograph, I will take a pen with me just in case.”
For more details visit mencap.org.uk/learningdisabilityweek