Sarah Bonhomme
My husband, Andrew, would describe me as practical, because I’m very good at making things. I make clothes, quilts and jackets, and can knit. I taught my husband to sew. He’s sewn tracksuits and is making me some pyjamas at the moment.
I met Andrew playing football. The ball was coming towards him and he fell over the football and I fell on top of him. Like falling head over heels in love. Everyone just laughed.
Most people don’t know I have a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
. A learning disability means that you don’t understand
certain
Certain means you are sure about something.
things. It takes me a bit longer but I’ll try.
If you have a learning disability it feels like you’re more special, like X-men.
If you’re meeting someone for the first time and they have a learning disability, be patient and listen to them carefully. I have got anxiety and anger problems, but I’m controlling it. That’s why I do sewing, knitting and crochet.
I’ve done adult
education
Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university.
classes and I would like to get a job. It would be better if people with a learning disability could get a job and get volunteering. I volunteered at a charity shop for 4 years and I would like to work in a clothes shop. One of my brothers has Aspergers and one has ADHD and they both have jobs. It feels like when certain people like me want a job they think ‘oh they’ve got a learning disability, we don’t want them’.
If I could invite 3 people to a dinner party I would invite my real parents. I was adopted and for years my real dad sent me birthday cards and Christmas cards, but then he stopped. I’ve never had contact with my real mum. I would also invite my late mother in
law
Laws are the rules that everyone in the country has to follow. If you don't follow the rules you can get in trouble with the police.
. She died 4 years ago and never got to see our new flat. Andrew is decorating it at the moment, he’s painting the hall.
Me and Andrew are trying for a baby. People think if you have a learning disability you can’t have sex, but you can! I have two friends who have got Down’s syndrome and all they want to do is have sex!
I always wanted a child since my sister had one at 14. She was adopted by different parents. And her baby has now been adopted. My friend had a baby with dwarfism, I wouldn’t mind having a baby with dwarfism.
I’ve been with Andrew for 10 years, married for 7, and my hope for our future is to have a child.
Got questions about learning disability? Who better to ask than someone who has a learning disability!
We got Aeren to answer some questions. Take a look at the chat to hear her thoughts and
experience
Experience is when you have learned or tried something before.
of having a learning disability...