Pregnancy to Parenthood Project Officer Jen Brown often speaks in public. She’s been interviewed by the BBC on the 6 O’Clock news about the effect of service cuts, she’s met with Richard Parker West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor to discuss the issues disabled people experience and what can be done about it and last year she spoke about her lived experience of maternity services at our AGM. Her speech was heard by maternity commissioners, learning disability nurses and co-production professionals. It was because of this she got involved in the recent launch of the Learning Disability and Autism Plan. The plan aims to improve care and support in the community, reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and strengthen preventative services like CASBA to enable people to live longer, healthier and more independent lives.

Jen takes up the story here:

I was very excited and honoured to be asked to be a part of the Learning Disability and Autism event for their launch of the 3 year delivery plan.

This plan is very important. It will mean that by 2029 people’s lives will be better and healthier because of the changes that are planned.

Suzanne Hemming attended our AGM. She’d told me how inspirational my speech was and a month or so ago she asked me if I would like to talk at the event and share my story. I said that I would. Following on from that I had an introduction with Emma Ambler and James Lewis to discuss the event.

I was so pleased to be part of this. It’s what I want to do: be a voice for myself and my community and make changes. The 3 year plan has 10 different areas of action, and  fingers crossed, the planned changes could happen by 2029 – that’s just 3 years away.

On the day, Rachel came over and spoke to me before the start, and I was very excited to learn that there was going to be on a discussion based on what I said. I did a video recording as something for them to reflect back on.

On the day, everybody was so caring and comforting to me. They kept asking if I was ok, if needed to go for a walk, got me glass water after my speech.  People kept saying how amazing and inspirational I am. I might have looked sad, but I wasn’t, just overwhelmed by the support from everybody.

When I was telling them about my journey and how I’ve progressed, I could see they were enjoying it and paying attention while I spoke and that was really wonderful. The room was full of professionals and I can see what they think and how they are going to make a change.

A dear friend of mine keeps saying I should write a book and I think I should. Going through my whole journey from start to now has made me realise how hard I have had to fight all my life and how far I have come. Thank you to CASBA for all your support with my journey, to Rohan my CASBA colleague at the event it was great spending time with you. It was lovely to see old colleagues from SaTa as well.
I was even asked if I would like to be a part of the group photo for the website. I said yes and Forest my anxiety bear was in the picture as well.

Even though my brain was little bit fried and I had a headache afterwards, it was great. There was a fantastic end to the day with the Crafting Conversations, and we all sang together as a light way to end the day. We left feeling joyful and celebratory at our achievements.

I went home so full of pride and fingers crossed I hope I made a difference. I couldn’t stop talking about the day.

I have done lots of public speaking but this one has left a lasting impression on me. I felt the warmth in room and caring nature after so many professionals coming up to me and told me what they thought and how inspirational I am. Thank you everyone, it made my week, still so excited.
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