Last month I watched Letting Go, a documentary focusing upon young people with learning difficulties who were working towards independence, and blogged about it here. Afterwards, it occurred to me that I had only the sketchiest idea of what people like you and me could actually do to help those featured in Letting Go. Moral outrage is all very well until you realise that you're just getting cross about a situation but doing nothing to change it. So I googled Rosa Monckton, visited her website and emailed her to ask how ordinary folk could make a practical difference in the lives of those coping day-to-day without adequate support.
Rosa received thousands of emails after Letting Go was televised, but very kindly made the time to reply to my message. She suggested that there were two ways to help: firstly, to ascertain who in your local area needs support and encouragement and to offer it on a regular and consistent basis if you can manage to do so, and secondly, to sign an e-petition asking the government to ring-fence funds for those with learning disabilities so parents can be assured that their children will be properly looked after for the rest of their lives. The petition can be found here; I've just signed it, and I'd be so delighted if you could do the same. Passing it on to your friends and contacts so they can also consider signing it would be a fantastic second step.
Life's a fight for some people. A series of struggles. A battle to be awarded the most basic rights. Please help them by standing alongside them and supporting them. This is one small way in which we can all help. Thank you!
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