In July, 2000 Karen finally finished her three years at College and received her Record of Achievement.In March I had been to her review, in June to her College fete,and In July we were able to attend her graduation, or rather the annual prize-giving, but to all intents and purposes it WAS a graduation, just as her sister's had been, three years before we as very proud parents attended Elizabeth's graduation held in the 300(?) year old Sheldonian Theatre in the heart of Oxford where Elizabeth recieved her degree, a First Class Honours degree in Physics from the University of Oxford. She wore a black skirt, white blouse and a soft cap.Now three years later just as proudly we attended Karens Prize giving at Derwen College. Derwen College has seven vocational faculties - Catering, Textiles and Design,Horticulture
Hospitality and Housekeeping , Office Skills, Practical Skills and Retail. In addition it offers Life Skills ( skills for independent living) and Key Skills ( Literacy, Numeracy, Dance, Drama , Music, Personal and Social development and more) and in addition students have access to a wide range of sports and leisure. These pictures were taken at the College Open Day and Fete on June 4th, 2000 and show the high standard of work produced by students .The candles were made in practical skills and the leatherwork by students of Textile and Design. 
Wednesday the 26th July was the day of Karens graduation.As Ive said it
wasn't called a graduation, and the 50 students
who have finished their three year course were called Leavers rather than
graduates. The room was the "concert hall" or "social centre" where they
hang out in the eveings playing snooker (like pool), table tennis etc, its
here they have the discos two nights a week, the Christmas party, the
Christmas show ,the fashion show and all manner of other events. On
Prizegiving day the table tennis tables, the snooker tables and everything
else had been cleared out to put in rows and rows of stackable chairs.Karen took this photo as the students were gathering for the ceremony. Because there are about 400 students and a small hall, parents are not normally invited so we were very privileged, we had driven up a day early as its 175 miles and the principle said we could come , since we were there. When we arrived the hall was pretty full and we sat several rows,back, being maybe about 30 yards away from the front, which meant our own pictures are from far away with weak flash.We were able to get a close-up of the array of cups though before we sat down The college has seven faculties Catering, Textiles and Design,Horticulture, Hospitality and Housekeeping, Office Skills , Practical Skills and Retail. 
In each case there was a presentation to the outstanding students in each of the seven departments, then the other students recieved their certificates for their achievements in each faculty. There were presentations of prizes, certificates and cups. . Karen went up with a group from Textile and Design and received a certificate for stencilling ( she has recieved other certificates at other prizegivings). Each person was enthusiastically clapped and there were some spontaneous moments like when a students neighbour nudged her as they read out her name and said loudly "hey thats you, thats you". 
After the academic awards were given out, the sports awards were given out - they included trophies for 3rd division dominoes ( and 2nd and 1st division) and for snooker, table tennis, football, swimming , basketball etc. It was wonderful and exciting to see that the winner of the college prize for athletics was won by a student in a wheelchair also called Karen and she had also had prizes for office skills and other subjects.  Finally the student of the Year award was presented to a charming, handsome and talented young man called Anthony . He had won first prize for Snooker and also top student in Retail as well as other prizes in Education and in sports.. He is going to move into his own apartment in a town different from his parents home town and will be getting a job in September working in some kind of Retail employment. 
. The atmosphere of pride, achievement and accomplishment amongst the students, staff and handful of parents was comparable to that felt by the Oxford Students staff and parents three years ago , but I think some of the effort and hard work thart went into the accomplishments of the Derwen students was greater that that of the Oxford students-the disabled students had worked twice as hard and overcome greater barriers. 
.
After the final applause died away we all went to the football pitch for
5 a side soccer. There were several heats and there were teams from all the
departments. Again I wish you could have been there. Never before have I
seen so many young adults with Downs Syndrome and other disabilities altogether in one place enjoying themselves , being just the same as anyone else their age and not in any way fitting the stereo type of "disabled people". Their disabilities were totally irrelevant, and the sportsmanship, camaraderie and sense of fun were much more important. There they were young men and women,  tall and short, stout and slim, dark
haired, fair haired, shy, extrovert, just a wonderful mixture of people. I wish politicians, broadcasters,journalists, doctors, teachers and decision makers and opinion moulders of all kinds could have had the chance to see just how ordinary and normal, just how gifted and talented people with disabilities are and can be. I cannot understand how some people think that there is any justification for "screening out" disabled people before birth, or that they should have an inferior education, or a lesser right to civil liberties. They should have equal access to employment with help where neccesary and economic independence through a generous benefits system if they need financial help; full access to leisure, to friendship and good housing. They should have the same hopes and ambitions as anyone else.Even in the year 2000 there are still people around with nineteenth century attitudes Philosophical thoughts aside, after the football match which was won by the Office Skills staff we walked back to the Orangery for a cup of tea and to help Karen with her final packing preparations before we left her to go to the end of term Disco.She said a fond farewell to several of staff friends. .
Karen got on well with the college staff, whether they are the teaching, caring or administrative staff, in fact the teachers do some caring and admin and the carers certainly help teach life skills and the admin are all well known to the students and help them learn. 
Karen will miss her friends both staff and students but she is going to keep in touch and she will visit the college again soon,and some of the students live nearby. 
Here is a picture of Karen holding up her stencilling certificate which she received at the prize giving. 
This shows Karen in the college grounds, showing an example of the horticultural skills of the students who specialise in Gardening.  |
