All the young dudes

The legendary Mrs Buhweet tweeted the following pic this week:

It got us thinking about how young people seem to just get #JusticeforLB. They recognise how wrong what happened to LB is, and how wrong it is that certain people are treated so badly. Some of the young people who have contributed to the campaign are learning disabled themselves, or have sisters, brothers or other relatives who are disabled. Others don’t.

We were contacted by Andrew Owens who wants to make a short documentary about disabled people to raise awareness among the students at his college. He wrote:

The reason for this is because I read the story of Connor (LB) and was shocked by how he was treated and even more shocked as to how little the services who should have been caring for him appeared to care.   It made me explore more and look at how we think about people with disabilities in society. Before I did this, I had little understanding of the barriers that many people and their families face on daily basis, many of which are about attitudes.

I would be grateful if you would agree to take part in the documentary (I will travel down to you) and give me any guidance that you may feel is necessary to really bring the message home to my generation that people with disabilities are people first. They have hopes and dreams like everyone else and should not be disregarded.

Just some examples here: Actions around 107days of Action. Madi Barnicoat kayaked 125 miles in the Devizes to Westminster race raising money for the fighting fund. Emma joined her mum and auntie and took part in the Henley Team Triathlon in memory of LB. The Oxford Woodcraft folk who showed their compassion and thoughts about #JusticeforLB through an evening spent drawing brilliant bus pics. Beckie oversaw a session of dazzling contributions for the Justice quilt at a messy church session. The various kids who ran with the LB flag over two years at Glastonbury still make us chuckle with their enthusiasm and commitment to the cause:

Two of LB’s brothers, Tom and Owen took part in The Tale of Laughing Boy film together with Will, Tyrone and Tommy. There have been other contributions too including the Brownies in New Zealand talking about epilepsy, kids holding cake sales and making gingerbread figures. The turnout for LB’s funeral was heartbreakingly moving and the changing but substantial group of young people who sat at the front of the public gallery every day of LB’s inquest still brings tears to my eyes.

So reassuring that young people get it. And so important given the official responses so far to the Mazars review are so lacklustre. And that their passion and commitment to justice is being recognised

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