Interviewing my Family
Now you know why I chose art, and why I feel the need for it to be more interactive. But it's not just about education. Art is as much for enjoyment as it is learning. For me this changes nothing, I am most myself when I am exploring something. Younger me only had to think about what I wanted to do, but for my family taking me somewhere, there were other things to consider. This is the same for any family, and also for care providers, so I thought I would ask my family what they considered important when taking me out for the day. This information is important because, whilst my main focus is the pieces themselves and how I would have enjoyed them, the success of a wider exhibition would also rely on these factors. Their answers feed into my WHY because they give another viewpoint on why this type of reimagining is important. NONE of them would have taken me to an art gallery, and this shows why.
Cathy Winkworth - My mum (written response)
Q1. What were important things to consider when taking me out for the day?
When going out for the day we needed to plan accordingly, if it was raining or if it was dry, two different options to say we can't go because it's raining isn't an option, the places we would go needed to be interactive, for example play centre or places with animals.
There needed to be lots of activities as well as quiet areas, we avoided busy times as lots of people was too overwhelming.
We also needed to take into consideration lunch - usually a picnic and what time we would eat. Jake needed routine and to know what was happening.
Going shopping was a little tricky. Letting him have a bit of freedom to look at things but knowing exactly where he was as he would go off with anyone. Making sure we didn't need to go in a lift which caused anxiety.
Q2. Can you give an example of a trip that was really successful and why?
Our most successful trip was always to Mead Open Farm. I could relax knowing he was safe and loved watching him interact with the animals, play in the play barn and when things got too much we could go to the outside area and play in the sand. We always took a picnic and could sit and relax while the kids played. Then when it was time to go home, a visit to the shop for a treat.
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Jennie Shephard - My Nan
Mandy Crowford - Director of Services at the Westminster Society for People With Learning Difficulties - and my aunt
