Today is Sunday. The traditional day of rest. A day for recuperation, preparation, and readjustment. For me, it is also my day off from the shows and from teaching. Today my morning was happily filled with exploring the Moroccan souks with an old friend of many years who has come to visit me, followed by an afternoon of drawing with a new Moroccan friend of mine. A mixture of new and old. In reflection, I can honestly say that I spent the whole day being myself.
To be oneself. To be all of oneself. To be true to yourself. The most important ethic that I hope to instil in the heart of Liberty's. I feel it is a rarely discussed value - to truly be all of yourself. I am becoming increasingly aware of the importance of it, and its imperative value in the success and happiness of the individual.
When I was a child, my Father worked in a home for adults with disabilities. Within the home, there was a sensory room. A room filled with colourful lights, textiles, interactive equipment, and even a bubble machine! The purpose of the room was not just for entertainment. It was for communication. It was a room full of ways that my less able friends at the home could communicate with me, and demonstrate their interests to me, where words failed. Some of my friends at the home could not speak. Some could not see. Some could not move very much. But each and every person in that home had something that was 'their thing'.
Matthew loved the music - Abba, in particular, at full blast! Patricia loved the soft materials, she loved to twist them in her hands. Alex loved to make as much noise as possible, with as many instruments as she could get a hold of! In this room, my friends at my Father's place of work were very, very able. It didn't matter that they couldn't walk, or that some could not talk to me. In that room, they were all of themselves, being the best of themselves, with the materials and personal encouragement that they needed to be able to do so.
At the time, I just thought of these experiences as fun times that I had with my special friends. As an adult, I now understand the impression these experiences has made upon me. Because I believe in ability. I believe that every single person should have the opportunity and the support to help themselves to become all of who they want to and can be. Regardless of whether that is to be a professional ballerina, a competition winning street dancer, published writer, commissioned artist....or maybe just to be able to sit amongst a roomful of coloured lights, and enjoy something for what it is.
For one period of time I lived in an environment where my dreams were not supported - I lived and existed in a situation where my ambitions were mocked. Released, and with great support, I am now living every inch of the life I did not think was possible. Yes, some days defeat me. But on the whole I am living a very full, and very 'Helen' life. A life not playing a part, but actually being myself.
From this basis I will continue to build my way forwards, right up to the front door of Liberty's. The result of all that I have seen, and all that I am yet to see. The future culmination of all of my ideas, contributed to by every special person in my life.
HV.
X
When I was a child, my Father worked in a home for adults with disabilities. Within the home, there was a sensory room. A room filled with colourful lights, textiles, interactive equipment, and even a bubble machine! The purpose of the room was not just for entertainment. It was for communication. It was a room full of ways that my less able friends at the home could communicate with me, and demonstrate their interests to me, where words failed. Some of my friends at the home could not speak. Some could not see. Some could not move very much. But each and every person in that home had something that was 'their thing'.
At the time, I just thought of these experiences as fun times that I had with my special friends. As an adult, I now understand the impression these experiences has made upon me. Because I believe in ability. I believe that every single person should have the opportunity and the support to help themselves to become all of who they want to and can be. Regardless of whether that is to be a professional ballerina, a competition winning street dancer, published writer, commissioned artist....or maybe just to be able to sit amongst a roomful of coloured lights, and enjoy something for what it is.
For one period of time I lived in an environment where my dreams were not supported - I lived and existed in a situation where my ambitions were mocked. Released, and with great support, I am now living every inch of the life I did not think was possible. Yes, some days defeat me. But on the whole I am living a very full, and very 'Helen' life. A life not playing a part, but actually being myself.
HV.
X