BBC Radio Orkney

A Life More Ordinary

A Life More Ordinary: Episode 2: Bill, Anne and Lesley Learmonth

Factual: Disability

Episode 2

Episode 2: Bill, Anne and Lesley Learmonth

Bill, Anne and Lesley Learmonth

BBC Radio Scotland - A Life More Ordinary, Bill, Anne and Lesley Learmonth

The Learmonth family share their experiences of raising a child with Down's syndrome.

Clare English hears about people with learning disabilities. The Learmonth family talk about their determination to help their daughter who was born with Down's syndrome.

This year the Scottish Charity 'Enable Scotland' Celebrates its 60th Year, they have been actively campaigning for a better life for Children and adults who have learning disabilities, supporting them to live, work, and take part in their communities - basically trying to help them to reach their highest potential, whatever that may be.

Clare English speaks to people with learning disabilities, voices rarely heard on BBC Radio Scotland to find out how changing policies have impacted on their lives- Today, we hear from the Learmonth family- Bill, his wife Anne and their daughter Lesley who was born with Down's syndrome. They were told days after her birth that Lesley would be severely disabled and that she wouldn't have any quality of life, and they should simply go home 'go home and love her'
Devastated, they took their baby home but vowed that their little girl would reach her full potential, whatever that maybe.
Now, Lesley works full time and lives in her own flat, quite a turnaround from the prognosis 45 years ago. But, the journey hasn't been easy and they have had to fight for Lesley every step of the way as well as protect her from intolerance and discrimination.

BBC Radio Scotland

Clare English hears from people with learning disabilities.

Clare English hears from people with learning disabilities about how their lives have been affected by changing policies.

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A Life More Ordinary

Episode 2: Bill, Anne and Lesley Learmonth

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