People First. Phyllis "I was institutionalised. I couldn't stick the outside world." Lesley "I love bingo - that's my enjoyment, my pleasure.

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1 This document is a snapshot of content from a discontinued BBC website, originally published between It has been made available for archival & research purposes only. Please see the foot of this document for Archive Terms of Use. Travel "All we want out of life is to be treated like everybody else." "They said I'd never walk. I started walking at 10 years of age." The right to marry Love is a universal right, so why is it still taboo for some people? People First 2007 is the European Year of Equality, but people with learning disabilities are still struggling for their rights. See the world through their eyes. Many thanks to Emma Alcock and members of. "I was institutionalised. I couldn't stick the outside world." "I love bingo - that's my enjoyment, my pleasure." Charity broadcast is the latest charity to feature on the BBC website. Audio and Video The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites Barbara MacArthur, Cardiff My husband and I split up before our son Howard was born. He left the city and I had no idea of his whereabouts. I didn't tell anyone that I was pregnant as I was afraid I'd lose my job. Howard was diagnosed as profoundly autistic and asthmatic and has diabetes. As a child he was hyperactive and had no sense of danger. I had to nail bars over the bedroom window because he'd climb on the sill and push against the glass. Once he butted me and chipped my two front teeth when I picked him up quickly to save him from danger. Doctors told me he was very backward' and was a write-off - to place him in an institution and forget him. He was refused an education as he could not speak until he was 10. I always worked, there was no choice. Social security money would have been insufficient to keep Howard. He always had a large appetite and his extra largesized clothes were expensive. In 1973 my son received an official letter saying my ex-husband had died. He'd never remarried so my son was his only relative but nothing was left except enough to pay the burial expenses. I managed to get enough cash to buy a very old house with no bathroom and an outside toilet. It took ages to clean up and get rid of the mice and cockroaches. I am proud of Howard. Many will always consider him as being a "bit odd" but he is popular and has a tremendous sense of humour. He is great company and is kind and affectionate. A few years ago we both signed on for part-time computer courses. We both became hooked and ended up signing on for a full-time course at a local college. My son became so proficient that the tutors nicknamed him "cyberjunkie". We were both thrilled to gain our computer science qualifications and continued our studies. Howard graduated from university -

2 computer science degree. Not bad for a write-off! This site is now closed and cannot accept new comments.

3 Travel See 's film (Need help?) Read the transcript of 's film: Home The first photograph is of my living room. I live on my own with two carers - I get them for eleven hours a week. Talk The photograph now is of a shop full of people talking. I enjoy talking and I enjoy being involved with People First. You're talking about issues to do with people with learning disabilities. It's about self advocacy - for people to learn how to speak up for themselves. That's all we want out of life - to be treated like everybody else. Friend Every dog is his man's best friend. I would love to have a dog, but I don't think it would be fair on the animal to be stuck in the house eight hours a day when I'm not there. It's nice to have friends. If you're stuck at home it drives you up the wall. The only friends I get in are the social care workers. If I don't see them I don't see anybody. When I come to People First, it's just getting me out of the house. Audio and Video The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites Love Love can be a splendid thing. It's wonderful to have, but it can be hard when you lose it. I hope to find love but I'm not building my hopes up. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, I'm not going to worry about it. Another World It can be unusual to see a black person about. It's not always something we see everyday in the South Valleys. Happiness This bicycle gives me freedom to go wherever I like and not have to be tied down. Sometimes I climb the wall if I stay in, and the bicycle makes me happy because I go out to places. Anything's better than looking at the four walls. Eleanor Rothwell from Pontypridd Hi Phil - I enjoyed seeing your film. Dave forwarded me the link. I think what you say rings true for lots of people - well said Phil!Would be great to see you up at Dare Valley again for a cycle ride to Cwmaman and a chat. Next one is 10.30, November 12th - meet by the visitor centre. Babs - you're

4 welcome too. Never too late to start again! (Bikes provided by Sustrans) Dave Sewell, Cwmbach Hi Philip. What a fantastic film. I found it very moving. I don't know if you remember me but we met on the last cycle ride from the Dare Valley Country Park to Aberaman. See you again soon I hope. All the very best mate. Babs from Pandy Hi Philip, I enjoyed seeing and hearing your film. You seem like a very nice person. I live In Tonypandy and I'm married with three children all boys, and three grandchildren. I like talking as well, and I agree that everyone should be treated as equals regardless. I was brought up to treat people the way I would like people to treat me. Unfortunately not everyone sees it our way do they, but hey, that's their problem isn't it. I agree with your attitude on love, I think you've got that spot on. I used to ride a bike years ago and all my boys enjoyed cycling, keep it up it's good exercise! Perhaps I should start again. Speak to you soon, Babs. This site is now closed and cannot accept new comments.

5 Travel See 's film (Need help?) Read the transcript of 's film: I went to Hensol Hospital when I was 14. I had lovely long, curly hair. I was put in Hensol for epilepsy fits. I was in there for 46 years. I shouldn't have gone there. I've got a better life now. I'm doing well in myself. I've got a better life than I ever had in Hensol. Childhood I lived in Thomas Street up until the age of five. I moved when I was nine. It's lovely. I'd go back to Gilfach Goch any day if I had a chance. I used to walk years ago. I'd go up the Valleys. I wish I was there now. I'd be walking if my leg wasn't tendonitis. Friend All of them are kind at People First. I thank them very much. If you've got any problems, go to them and tell them that what you feel like. If you're depressed, get it off your chest, but I'm not depressed - I'm very happy in myself. Audio and Video That's me helping Elaine in the office. She used to go up to the shops to get cheese sandwiches and buns for me. I used to love 'em. Happiness I like a fag - a cup of coffee with it. Once I have a fag I'm alright. I like my cigarettes. I'll never give them up. If they ask me and ask me I'll say no. I like a smoke. Work Years ago I was a domestic in Porthcawl - St John's School. I never liked it there. I packed the job in. I was only getting 20p a week - not many cigarettes. I packed it in and I phoned the police to take me back to Hensol. I was institutionalised. I couldn't stick the outside world. Zelda Davies, Abercynon Hiya,Your story has given a lot of people an insight into your life at Hensol. Since leaving the institution you have made a good life for yourself and you seem very happy. It is good to read and hear how people have got on with their lives since leaving the institutions and are now living in the community. You should be so proud of yourself. Listening to your story made me smile and it also made me

6 a bit sad. All the best for your future. Stacy Gillard, Pontyclun Hi, I really enjoyed your story, and great insight to your life. Youve achieved atlot and should be proud. This story made me smile and cry - very moving. Lynfa, Church Village Hello. Well done, enjoyed your snapshot of your life. It has certainly been difficult for you but what a survivor. You should be so proud of yourself. Enjoy your life - you so deserve it. God Bless. Rebecca, Pontypridd Hi - I really like your story. I would like to wish you all the best in the future. I am glad you like the People First staff and I like your video - I was nearly crying. This site is now closed and cannot accept new comments.

7 Travel See 's film (Need help?) Read the transcript of 's film: I'm from Ystrad, Rhondda Valley. It's a home that I love and I've been down in Ystrad now for over nine years. It's sheltered accommodation, and everybody helps everybody. Everybody's kind to me - even the warden. Friend I've been friends with Barnard since I was a young boy. We go to the day centre in Gelli. We have a chat and we have a quiz. We help each other. Childhood When I was a young boy, I was going to this chapel - it was called Bethany Gelli. My mother carried me as I couldn't walk. The superintendent of the chapel used to say "come on ". He used to carry me to my seat, and everybody in the church was kind to me. I tell you what - if it wasn't for the doctors, I'd have been in a wheelchair. I was born with club feet. They said I'd never walk. I started walking at ten years of age. Audio and video The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites I was born in Cooperative Street in Ton Pentre. That was my childhood place. Behind the trees there was the old Ton & Gelli boys club. The boys used to carry me in to the club because I couldn't walk. They were all good friends. Work This is a miner's lamp. My dad used to work in the mines and my brother worked in the mines. That was part of the history of the Rhondda Valley. When the mines closed, everything went wrong. There was nothing in the Valleys. Happiness I've always loved going to the park and listening to brass bands. It's the music of love. I love music. From a young child - if I heard a tune on the radio, I'd go straight to the piano and play. I can't read music, but I love it. The ducks floating on the river - I've always loved watching them go past. It makes you feel that you want to join them. Cathy Nottingahm, Thank you for sharing your story. You made me think of my Dad who I think so much of. Sue from Treharris I wish you all the best - take care, nice to hear your story.

8 Travel See 's film (Need help?) Read the transcript of 's film: This is my house where I live with my friends and staff who look after us. That's my kitchen where I make a cup of tea when I want one. When I get tired, I might sit on the settee with a cup of tea and watch telly. Friend A friend is someone who helps look after me. We talk and go out together when we want to. That's what it means. Love Me and Geoff were at school together, and we've been going together since. We still love each other now. We'll never part because I love him so much. Childhood I used to go to gospel morning, noon and night when I was in Ynysybwl. I used to love it. I used to go to the park every weekend. I used to go with my friends or maybe on my own. I used to play on my bike, go on the swings. I used to do anything I want to do. I used to like going with all my friends - all the boys. Audio and Video The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites Work On a Sunday I do my bedroom - I clean it, polish it and hoover it. I come down and clean all the tops down, wash all the dishes, put the clothes in the washing machine and do all my washing. I catch a bus to work every week from my place down to Michael Sobells. I work down there answering the phones and pass messages on to the staff. I quite enjoy it. Happiness I like to play my music a lot - Shakin Stevens, Daniel O'Donald, and the seventies - and the Beatles, and Elvis. I dance and sing along with them. This is town where I go shopping. I love looking at all the CDs and DVDs and like to buy stuff for myself. I love bingo - that's my enjoyment, my pleasure. I'm happy when I go and play it. Gary Read from Pontypridd I love your story, I always knew there was a

9 performer inside you! Keep being happy, that's the main thing. I'm proud to be your brother. Matthew Lloyd from Rhondda Hi Leslie,I've just seen your digital story and loved it. I met you when I worked with shape-it.org and then just a few years ago you were a little shy of the camera but not anymore. Really enjoyed watching your video and seeing how confident and happy you are. This site is now closed and cannot accept new comments.