The poets

Last week, we advertised a show called Seen But Seldom Heard which was the result of collaboration between academics from Bournemouth University and staff and students at the Victoria School. Those of us privileged to be present at the performance were humbled by the skills and fortitude illustrated that evening. It was truly memorable.

Hopefully, there will be another opportunity to see and listen to the poets later this term. In the meantime, please click on the link below to learn more about this project and hear the work of some of the poets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-PUPL42e3kw

Seen but seldom heard

‘Seen but seldom heard’ is an on-going collaboration between academics from BU, pupils from Victoria Education Centre and performance poets, Liv Torc and Jonny Fluffypunk, which enables young people living with a disability to find a voice through poetry. The teenagers involved have produced potent and emotive poems which explore perceptions and representations of disability within society using their own individual and collective experiences.

If you would like to celebrate the work produced by the ‘Seen but seldom heard’ project, please come to the Marconi Lecture Theatre at 5.0pm on Friday 21 September but remember to reserve your place first by emailing rsvp@bournemouth.ac.uk

National Student of the Year

Here’s Lisa Marshall, a second year psychology student who has undergone three major surgical operations in the last four years for a spinal injury. Lisa was an Olympic Torchbearer on the 5^th July in Lowestoft, having been nominated and accepted for her extraordinary courage. Not only was Lisa determined to study at BU in order to become an educational psychologist, she has consistently supported others and won the BU Volunteer of the Year Award. Here’s what Lisa says of her recent experience:

 I cannot put the feeling into words. It was a true mixture of excitement, pride, anticipation and nervousness. It all went by like a dream and it didn’t feel like it was actually me carrying it.

 I am also using my torch to visit people from the past and inspire others. I have visited my old senior school (aged 11-18) and local primary schools.

 I don’t think the achievement will ever sink in. I just try to live my life to the full and positively impact on as many other people as possible. To have the recognition for this is greatly appreciated but what motivates me most is helping individuals and watching them achieve their goals.

 As Lisa progresses into her final year, she is preparing to write her dissertation. True to form, she is even using this task to help others by developing and applying a model of coping for the benefit of those with disabilities.

 And if all of this was not sufficient reason to applaud Lisa, yet another accolade has just been accorded to her. On asking whether she wanted anything added to this piece, Lisa wrote back to say she had just heard that she had been chosen as Endsleigh National Student of the Year.

We are so proud of you Lisa and humbled by all your achievements

Welcome back!

Following problems relating to eligibility at the Sydney Olympic Games, 2000, all athletes with learning differences were excluded from participation in future Games.

However, in London 2012, adults with what are referred to as ‘intellectual (learning) disabilities’ will once more be welcomed into the Paralympic Games. A limited number of sports such as swimming and table tennis will invite entrants with intellectual disabilities to participate. These are athletes who are challenged by tactical aspects of competition and who require special coaching.

Whilst the terminology used is, arguably, questionable, this is, nevertheless, a  decision that will positively affect the aspirations of millions of people with learning differences across the world.

In good company

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There is a high degree of co-existence between dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADD and Tourette’s. Any of these can also co-exist with Asperger’s Syndrome. All of these famous people – and many more – have (or had when alive) one or more of these differences; or, like some of our students, are, or were, physically disabled.

Disability isn’t inability