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 means that you don’t understand certain 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 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. 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.

Chat to Aeren

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 of having a learning disability...

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