Today was a very emotionally draining one. I got up at 5:30, and at 7am was on a train to Grantham to carry on my coverage about the "Keep Safe" project.
Basically it's a scheme whereby stickers are put in shop windows for people with learning difficulties recognise a place to go if they experience any trouble or are victims of crime.
It had got to about 2pm, I hadn't eaten since my breakfast at 6am and I was tired already - but I was finishing up. I decided to interview one of the representatives of the project from Hertfordshire where the project has been tested. This lady has learning difficulties, but gave some excellent responses to my questioning.
My heart began to tear when she said quite plainly "People think of us as children, people with learning difficulties". I bit my lip and continued the interview. The lady continued to relate about how she had been assaulted in more ways than one by her family members , neighbours and had abuse thrown at her by people in the street all because of her learning difficulty.
I was so disgusted. She genuinely was one of the nicest people I've met, I got on so well with her and she was so upfront with her responses. The smile never left her face and she really seemed interested in what I had to say.
There is however a silver lining to her tale. She was awarded the MBE for her services to disabled charities, and she told me quite a few funny stories about the times she visited Buckingham Palace for various receptions!
I left the day feeling quite torn inside. Part of my degree is finding people like this to interview, and as I always say - everyone has a story to tell. Unfortunately those stories aren't always the best, and I really can't help but feel for the pain that some of the people I speak to have been through.
I just hope I can do her story justice with my radio package, after hearing her tale I feel compelled to.
Basically it's a scheme whereby stickers are put in shop windows for people with learning difficulties recognise a place to go if they experience any trouble or are victims of crime.
It had got to about 2pm, I hadn't eaten since my breakfast at 6am and I was tired already - but I was finishing up. I decided to interview one of the representatives of the project from Hertfordshire where the project has been tested. This lady has learning difficulties, but gave some excellent responses to my questioning.
My heart began to tear when she said quite plainly "People think of us as children, people with learning difficulties". I bit my lip and continued the interview. The lady continued to relate about how she had been assaulted in more ways than one by her family members , neighbours and had abuse thrown at her by people in the street all because of her learning difficulty.
I was so disgusted. She genuinely was one of the nicest people I've met, I got on so well with her and she was so upfront with her responses. The smile never left her face and she really seemed interested in what I had to say.
There is however a silver lining to her tale. She was awarded the MBE for her services to disabled charities, and she told me quite a few funny stories about the times she visited Buckingham Palace for various receptions!
I left the day feeling quite torn inside. Part of my degree is finding people like this to interview, and as I always say - everyone has a story to tell. Unfortunately those stories aren't always the best, and I really can't help but feel for the pain that some of the people I speak to have been through.
I just hope I can do her story justice with my radio package, after hearing her tale I feel compelled to.
