By Mencap
Meet Jenny. She ran the 2023 TCS London Marathon to raise awareness of her son's genetic condition and raise vital funds for other people with 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.
. “I am in constant admiration of him as he overcomes life’s challenges with a positive attitude and smile.”
Her son has Angelman syndrome which causes severe physical and learning disabilities and Jenny said her son sometimes faced
discrimination
Discrimination is when someone is treated differently (usually in a bad way) because of things like their disability or their
religion
Religion is to do with the things you believe about the world. For example you may believe there is a god or something else. Examples of religions are Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.
.
because of it. She hoped to help address the negativity by raising greater awareness of the condition and fundraising for Mencap.
"I know that he is valued as an individual, but I have had some very upsetting comments directed to me in the presence of my son," she said.
After leaving further
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.
he transitioned to residential social care. "He is a wonderful young man who loves people, music and friends.’’ Jenny said running the marathon was her way of showing her son that she was still "there for him".
“Completing the 2023 TCS London Marathon was a great personal achievement for me. Team Mencap supported me all the way from applying for a place to after the event.”
“I received fundraising materials in the post, phone calls, emails, and Facebook Group support. We even got the opportunity to access coaching and training advice’’.
She has raised an incredible total of £2,720 to help the UK become the best place in the world to live with a learning disability.
If you’ve been inspired to follow in Jenny’s footsteps to support the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK, request a place to run with Team Mencap today.