In our last profile for Learning Disability Week, we are pleased to share Ryan’s, one of our service users at Cromwell Road Day Centre.

“My name is Ryan.

When you meet me, you will see that I have a learning disability, and I sit in my wheelchair. I ask you to not make assumptions about me, look beyond what you see and see the real me.

I am a fun-loving guy with a great sense of humour who enjoys meeting people and having chats with them. Sometimes my speech can be a little difficult to understand but if you have patience with me, you will quickly learn to recognise my style of communicating.

During the week I attend Cromwell Resource Centre for physiotherapy to help me keep my chest and arms strong. The centre has a ball pool and sensory room with overhead tracking hoists which I can use to give me a rest from using my wheelchair. Music groups are a particular favourite of mine because I love singing especially to the latest pop and rock songs and I enjoy a dance as well.

I come from a big family; I am a one of a set of triplets. I lead a busy social life with the support of my family. My family are important to me I love spending time with everyone. We all love to socialise and at a party you will find me in the middle of the floor singing and dancing having a fun time.

Next time you see someone like me in the community ask yourself “do you see me”?