Giving Martin the keys to open up his world<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/DSC06694-1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAnxiety kept Martin from stepping outside of his home for over a decade. When he moved to his new home with Sense, Martin\u2019s team did everything they could to support him and reignite his zest for life. His sister, Audrey, reflects on Martin\u2019s incredible journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cGiving Martin his own home has been brilliant, a huge step for his independence and happiness. He gets a lot from being able to make his own tea, tidy up after himself and run his own home, all with the support he needs.\u201d<\/p>Audrey, Martin’s sister<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nRead Martin’s story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Sense spoke my brother Fernando\u2019s language<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCarole explains how going to a Sense Centre changed everything for her brother, Fernando.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cSense now has brought him back. He has a purpose, he has confidence. He\u2019s got something to look forward to and that\u2019s what he\u2019s living for. It\u2019s just opened the world for him.\u201d<\/p>Carole, Fernando’s sister<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nRead Fernando and Carole’s story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Sense supports people with complex disabilities to explore their sexuality and gender identity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTracy Girling explains how she and other Sense sexuality and relationships advisers support adults with complex disabilities with their identity and sexuality.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Tracy,](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/IMG_20210820_1729592-500x698.jpg\")
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\u201cMaking sure people have choices is at the heart of our work at Sense. We know that to be able to make a choice about anything, you need to have learnt what the options are, and have some understanding about how those options would affect you and make you feel.\u201d<\/p>\nTracy, sexuality and relationships adviser for Sense<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nRead Tracy’s story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nStories from the disability community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMy life as a deafblind drag king<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/AC11FA55-3EE6-429E-A60E-535D36185A31-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMax is a deafblind drag king from Cambridgeshire. They explain how being deafblind affects their performances and how venues can be more accessible to performers like them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cMy favourite thing about being a deafblind drag king is the sheer amount of opportunity there is to be creative. I can\u2019t always perform the same way as other drag artists, but I have so many things I can do instead.\u201d<\/p>Max (or Papa Smear)<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nRead Max’s story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat my children have taught me<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBen might have been the first single, openly gay, 21 year old to adopt. He\u2019s now a full-time father to six children, all of whom have complex disabilities. His blog is about the joys and challenges of fatherhood.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/MF-1-1-500x750.jpg\")
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\u201cWhen you have kids that can\u2019t satisfy their own needs independently, there\u2019s a lot to do. I\u2019ve learned to take each day as it comes. There\u2019s not a single ability or sense that I take for granted. Every ability is celebrated, and each achievement praised.\u201d<\/p>\nBen Carpenter<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nRead Ben’s story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nChoreography is like designing with bodies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLisa Simpson is a choreographer and the new artistic director for Sense and the National Inclusive Dance Programme. She explains how she uses a novel form of communication to choreograph dance pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Lisa](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/lisa-simpson-sense-choreographer-and-artistic-director-2-350x233.jpg\")
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\u201cDance is a form of communication that gives me a way of expressing words through movement. It has physical and social benefits for disabled people, making everyday worries go away while growing people\u2019s confidence and independence.\u201d<\/p>\nLisa Simpson, choreographer<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nRead Lisa’s story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nRaising awareness of vital issues<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe cost of living crisis is affecting my whole family\u2019s mental health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"Saihan,](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Firdush-Saihan.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSaihan is 18 years old and is autistic. He lives in London with his family and mum, Firdush, who told us how the cost of living crisis is causing worry and stress for the whole family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cI absolutely think those with disabilities and vulnerable adults and children should be given bespoke support from the government. I feel these people are often forgotten about.\u201d<\/p>Firdush, Saihan’s mum<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\nRead Firdush and Saihan’s story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThere aren\u2019t enough MSI teachers, so my son misses out on the support he needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEight-year-old Euan from Leicestershire has multi-sensory impairment (MSI) which means he has problems with his vision and hearing. Euan\u2019s mum tells us how the shortage of MSI teachers in her area has led to Euan not getting the support he needs.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Euan](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/euan-and-mum-fiona-1-350x263.jpeg\")
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\u201cWithout the right support, Euan\u2019s gets frustrated at school, and this sometimes leads to him acting out. It\u2019s not that he\u2019s a naughty child, but without having support from professionals that understand his needs, he can\u2019t keep up with lessons or games in the classroom.\u201d<\/p>\nFiona, Euan’s mum<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nRead Fiona and Euan’s story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThree reasons why life costs more when you\u2019re disabled<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSteven works on campaigns at Sense. Here he explains why, even before the current cost of living crisis<\/a>, disabled people were paying more for essentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Steven](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/steven-morris-event-card-500x250.jpg\")
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\u201cDisabled people are telling us that rising energy prices are pushing them to make impossible decisions. Three quarters (77%) of disabled people we surveyed say they don\u2019t know how they\u2019ll cope if prices continue to rise.\u201d<\/p>\nSteven Morris<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAnxiety kept Martin from stepping outside of his home for over a decade. When he moved to his new home with Sense, Martin\u2019s team did everything they could to support him and reignite his zest for life. His sister, Audrey, reflects on Martin\u2019s incredible journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGiving Martin his own home has been brilliant, a huge step for his independence and happiness. He gets a lot from being able to make his own tea, tidy up after himself and run his own home, all with the support he needs.\u201d<\/p>Audrey, Martin’s sister<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Carole explains how going to a Sense Centre changed everything for her brother, Fernando.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSense now has brought him back. He has a purpose, he has confidence. He\u2019s got something to look forward to and that\u2019s what he\u2019s living for. It\u2019s just opened the world for him.\u201d<\/p>Carole, Fernando’s sister<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Tracy Girling explains how she and other Sense sexuality and relationships advisers support adults with complex disabilities with their identity and sexuality.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cMaking sure people have choices is at the heart of our work at Sense. We know that to be able to make a choice about anything, you need to have learnt what the options are, and have some understanding about how those options would affect you and make you feel.\u201d<\/p>\nTracy, sexuality and relationships adviser for Sense<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Max is a deafblind drag king from Cambridgeshire. They explain how being deafblind affects their performances and how venues can be more accessible to performers like them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy favourite thing about being a deafblind drag king is the sheer amount of opportunity there is to be creative. I can\u2019t always perform the same way as other drag artists, but I have so many things I can do instead.\u201d<\/p>Max (or Papa Smear)<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Ben might have been the first single, openly gay, 21 year old to adopt. He\u2019s now a full-time father to six children, all of whom have complex disabilities. His blog is about the joys and challenges of fatherhood.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cWhen you have kids that can\u2019t satisfy their own needs independently, there\u2019s a lot to do. I\u2019ve learned to take each day as it comes. There\u2019s not a single ability or sense that I take for granted. Every ability is celebrated, and each achievement praised.\u201d<\/p>\nBen Carpenter<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Lisa Simpson is a choreographer and the new artistic director for Sense and the National Inclusive Dance Programme. She explains how she uses a novel form of communication to choreograph dance pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cDance is a form of communication that gives me a way of expressing words through movement. It has physical and social benefits for disabled people, making everyday worries go away while growing people\u2019s confidence and independence.\u201d<\/p>\nLisa Simpson, choreographer<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Saihan is 18 years old and is autistic. He lives in London with his family and mum, Firdush, who told us how the cost of living crisis is causing worry and stress for the whole family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI absolutely think those with disabilities and vulnerable adults and children should be given bespoke support from the government. I feel these people are often forgotten about.\u201d<\/p>Firdush, Saihan’s mum<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Eight-year-old Euan from Leicestershire has multi-sensory impairment (MSI) which means he has problems with his vision and hearing. Euan\u2019s mum tells us how the shortage of MSI teachers in her area has led to Euan not getting the support he needs.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cWithout the right support, Euan\u2019s gets frustrated at school, and this sometimes leads to him acting out. It\u2019s not that he\u2019s a naughty child, but without having support from professionals that understand his needs, he can\u2019t keep up with lessons or games in the classroom.\u201d<\/p>\nFiona, Euan’s mum<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Steven works on campaigns at Sense. Here he explains why, even before the current cost of living crisis<\/a>, disabled people were paying more for essentials.<\/p>\n\n\n \u201cDisabled people are telling us that rising energy prices are pushing them to make impossible decisions. Three quarters (77%) of disabled people we surveyed say they don\u2019t know how they\u2019ll cope if prices continue to rise.\u201d<\/p>\nSteven Morris<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow Sense spoke my brother Fernando\u2019s language<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Sense supports people with complex disabilities to explore their sexuality and gender identity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t\n
Stories from the disability community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
My life as a deafblind drag king<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat my children have taught me<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t\n
Choreography is like designing with bodies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t\n
Raising awareness of vital issues<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The cost of living crisis is affecting my whole family\u2019s mental health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThere aren\u2019t enough MSI teachers, so my son misses out on the support he needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t\n
Three reasons why life costs more when you\u2019re disabled<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Lilias-and-fearghas-500x666.jpeg\")
\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n\n\t