Session 7: Relationships
Introduction
Good relationships enrich people’s lives. They help you feel like you belong. Most people value having good relationships as it is important to be able to share your interests, worries, stories and experiences with others who know and understand you. This applies to people with learning disabilities too. However, it is not always easy for people with learning disabilities to develop and sustain the relationships they want.
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CHARLENE
No matter what you've got or what disability you've got, you can still have relationships no matter what, you know? Yeah. It will be up and downs, but you will get through it.
CIAN
I find it hard to tell who my real friends are because of my autism.
CHARLENE
I've got proper good, good, good friends.
SHAUN
I have colleagues at work who are also pretty much like my mum and my auntie.
TERRY
We knew each other for three years and we was best friends.
SHAUN
I've recently got back in touch with another friend of mine who's going through a hard time. And I'm helping her out and she's helping me out. So it's more of a supportive role, so that helps.
CIAN
I don't want to be messed around again, but you've got to take chances, you know.
TERRY
My friends are family, I wouldn't give them up from the world.
Video 1
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In this session you will explore:
- how people with learning disabilities can be involved in caring relationships
- the importance of friendship for people with learning disabilities
- barriers to people with learning disabilities developing romantic and sexual relationships
- how people can be supported to avoid abusive relationships.