Cinderella a Modern Fairy Tale

Once upon a time there was a girl called cinderella who had a learning disability called Downs Syndrome. She lived with her two step sisters , Lydia who was a management consultant and Imogen, who was a merchant banker. They were both very rich and did not share their wealth with Cinderella who also had an earning disability. She was very good at her job which was a combination of cleaning, catering and laundry work but even with her Disability Working Allowance she was very poorly paid indeed.

One day Imogen and Lydia told Cinderella that they were going to the Debutantes Ball which was to be atttended by the Crown Prince . Tickets were £150 each to include cabaret and champagne supper. On the day of the ball her two ugly sisters set off, dressed in their best and Cinderella who enjoyed dancing and parties sat weeping in the kitchen.

Suddenly the doorbell rang and when Cinderella answered the door , there stood a jolly old woman. "Hello" she said "I am your Fairy Care Manager and I have come to assess your needs."

"Oh, please" said Cinderella " Can I go to the Ball?"

"Well " said the Fairy Care Manager "That depends on your eligibility to receive such a service and whether it would be an integral part of your personal development plan. We can have a multi-disciplinary case conference in 6 weeks time and ask key professionals what they think you want, whether you are entitled to funding , and whether you might have assistance to enable you to attend the ball."

" But the Ball is tonight" said Cinderella " I can’t wait six weeks" "In that case" said the fairy care manager " I will use my magic wand to accelerate the process. I will return with in an hour with your assessment documents."

While the Fairy Care Manager was gone, Cinderella paced up and down, glancing at the kitchen clock every two minutes. Finally the Fairy Caremanager returned holding her laptop computer and smiling.

"Can I go to the Ball?" asked Cinderella , eagerly

yes and no" replied the Fairy Caremanager "from the point of view of social role valorisation , we feel the social interaction in an inclusive mainstream setting would benefit your interpersonal skills.This would include your language and listening ability . Secondly, since the situation will involve music and dance , there will be a viable music therapy input to the process, which will improve your co-ordination and confidence in a stimulating and multi-sensory environment, thereby maximising your potential in key areas.Dancing will help to develop your physical flexibility and will have a positive input on your fine motor skills"

"does that mean I can go to the ball?" asked Cinderella impatiently.

This will mean also, that your levels of self esteem and confidence will be raised

"does that mean I can go to the ball?" repeated Cinderella even more impatiently.

"can you explain what that means?" asked Cinderella "Yes" said the fairy caremanager as she entered some data into her laptop." you may hire a ball gown at a special discount provided it is returned to the shop by 12:05pm You may have social services transport to and from the ball with a concessionary ticket which includes entrance to the ball, one orange squash and a handful of peanuts and no more than three canapes., but you may NOT stay for the champagne cabaret which takes place after midnight. You may go to the Ball but you must leave it before midnight.

"Oh sugar!" said Cinderella " That IS unfair discrimination. Still, beggars can’t be choosers . At least I can go to the ball.

The Fairy Care Manager waved her magic wand over a pumpkin that happened to be on the kitchen sink. And there standing in the street was a coach!

Here are the main UK webpages for Downs Syndrome:

And here are some international sites