Linford Christie runs with disability DVD

Diigo

Linford Christie has offered his services as narrator on a DVD produced by Shared Care Network, the national short breaks charity. The DVD, "Welcome to the

Family", is aimed at recruiting more Short Break Carers for disabled children form Black and minority ethnic families.

 "Short Break Carers are everyday people who offer regular short breaks to a disabled child in their neighborhood." said Candy Smith, Joint Chief Executive

of Shared Care Network, "Short breaks (respite care) are a life line for parents with disabled child. The breaks give them a chance to recharge their batteries

and get on with the everyday things most of us take for granted."

Short break services are the most popular support service requested by families. They help families of disabled children to cope, giving parents a break from

caring and providing much needed opportunities for disabled children to access community life, have new experiences and make new friends. Fewer Black and

minority ethnic disabled children are benefiting from the service.  "Welcome to the Family" highlights the rewards and benefits to be gained by everyone

involved and aims to bring more people forward as Short Break Carers

Davereck is 8 years old and has complex disabilities. He goes to a Short Break Carer for regular overnight stays. His mother Patricia told us,

 "I had to wait a quite a while. There wasn't any Black carers, from a similar background available. I don't know how I could go on, as a single parent,

without the support I get from my short break carers"

Mr. Khan, the Father of Izma (7 years) who has Downs Syndrome said, "If she's going on the break, then we feel that we are on a break and we feel relaxed for a few hours and feel better" Short Break Carers help disabled children to make friends and gain independence

by helping them pursue interests outside home and school. 
                                       1.

Regan, a disabled child who goes on Short-Breaks said "We go shopping sometimes buy food, buy sweets, I go to college, I do loads of

things here. I enjoy it, I wish I could come here more often. Coming here has really helped me out, made my life change. I've got new friends now. I like

being here really".

Junko Dunne a mother of twins, one of who is disabled said "The most important thing is that he has a good quality of life and he enjoys

it..Having a Short-Break, that means we can have a family life rather than have a medical calendar life"

"Welcome to the Family" DVD, in ten community languages, provides a practical way to make information on short break services more accessible for families and

is funded by the Big Lottery. It shows everyday people successfully offering regular short breaks to children with a variety of special needs. The DVD

features interviews with, Short-Break carers, parents and children who receive short breaks. The narration, on the English language section, is provided by

athlete Linford Christie.

Karen a Short Break Carer talking about her experience as a carers says "You gain such confidence and learn new skills, you learn new ways of

communicating with people..Also its just so good when you see a child achieving a skill, achieving something they really want to do, and you feel like I've

helped do that and that's fantastic" Uzma a Short Break Carer told us "If you've got room in your heart and your home to bring someone into it, this

is the most rewarding thing you can do, just the sort of thing you do with your own child"

If you would like more information about short breaks or to order a copy of "Welcome to the Family " get in touch with Jowyn Jenson, Shared Care Network,

tel: 0117 941 5361, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  To find out more about becoming a Short Break Carer log onto www.sharedcarenetwork.org.uk

Diigo