World renowned photographer Rankin recently took some photos of people with a learning disability for our Here I Am campaign.
Take a look at the photos below from the shoot and hear from the people who took part.
Rahima
Rahima was thrilled to get involved with the Here I Am campaign and loved having her photo taken by top Photographer, Rankin.
Talking about the photoshoot, Rahima said, “I felt like everybody else. I felt included.’
Vijay
"I would like to be more confident, sometimes I hold back myself and don’t get fully confident.
"When I’ve been doing jobs previously and work experience I found it a bit hard to understand so I needed some help and direction.
"I think it is good to try and learn new thing that you’ve never done before. I like to give things a go and if I don’t like it, that’s okay."
Aeren
"To anyone who has not met someone with a learning disability, I would tell them to be patient.
"I still have issues with certain words but due to my drama I know you just breath and take time and read. Now, I’m confident in acting and public speaking."
Richard and Esther
"One thing I would say to someone who has a learning disability; be proud of who you are, don’t be ashamed to have a learning disability.
"You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. If you’ve got a disability, don’t hold yourself back, put yourself out there.
"There are always people who can support you, there is better training and better support."
Sarah
"Its great to see people with a learning disability deciding on what sort of life they want.
"If they want to get married it’s their choice, getting married is a wonderful thing and it’s their decision. Whether they want to have a baby or not, it’s their decision.
"I don’t want to get married - not for me, but it’s their decision, it’s their lives. We’re all equals."
Ellen
"If I could give one piece of advice to someone who doesn’t know anything about learning disability, I would say to treat them the same as everybody else."
Joe
"People with a learning disability should be treated the same as someone without a learning disability. Yes we sometimes need a little extra help, but we are the same as other people.
"I don’t feel different, I’m just Joe."
Casey
"It’s difficult describing what having a learning disability is like. But I believe if you put your mind to it then anybody can achieve their dreams.
"My dreams are to be famous, like a fashion model in advertisements."