Well, we all watched the inspirational and very dateable Kate on The Undateables 2013 last night with pride, nervousness and excitement.
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| Kate riding high after last night's programme |
Kate is an incredible woman that I had the honour to meet when attending the British Institute of Learning Disabilities annual conference. She also has Down's Syndrome.
Today I copied and pasted some of the lovely encouraging messages I soureced from Twitter and Facebook and sent them to her colleagues, along with the rather nosey question "Is she still seeing Simon?"
Kate was thrilled.
Kate's colleagues are protecting Kate from the media and fielding too many questions as she is very tired after the excitement of watching the programme last night. But they passed this message from her to her well-wishers and a lovely photo showing how happy she was at work today:
“Simon and I watched The Undateables together – along with over 30 family and friends! It was such a lovely evening. We are arranging to meet again, we’re getting on really well and we’re both going to see how it goes from here.”
And is Kate relaxing at home tonight? No chance. She is out with friends watching a pantomime!
So, it looks as if The Undateables got it right. Despite the titles and what you think about the directors' cuts. She provides a positive role model for our children, she fills we parents will hope, she has moved many to tears of joy. The nation has fallen in love with her beautiful ways and her sense of humour. No, she is not 'cute'. She is a woman, enjoying the world of dating.
Even Rufus Hound tweeted @RufusHound to
@DownsSideUp "I think she is most things that we should all try and be. She's brilliant."]
READ MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAMME AND KATE HERE IN KATE STARS IN THE UNDATEABLES
I'm glad to hear it. I must admit I hate the title and so I avoided it because of that. Your post made me smile though, because I'm really pleased it's worked well after all. When I was working for People First (run by and for people with learning difficulties) the chair of the management committee had a wife, and I can't tell you how many times we encountered incredibly inappropriate reactions from people. If shows like this are raising awareness that people with learning difficulties have meaningful romantic relationships then hoorah!
ReplyDeleteAnd how lovely that you passed on all those messages to Kate, I'll bet she's on a huge high right now!
Yes, Kate really is riding high at the moment. I do hope things turn out well for her and Simon.
DeleteYour story is an interesting one. I actually know of parents who stop their young adult children from having relationships, infantalise them so to speak. I cannot understand this way of thinking but yes, society has funny idea about disability and relationships. When Natty was born I recall an acquaitance asking if she would be 'highly sexed' as 'they are aren't they'...
My son is 13 weeks old and he too has downs syndrome. As a new parent the unknow is frightening however watching Kate on the programme I prefer to call the dateables brought me to tears. Kate lives a normal life and holds down a job. Her poetry was fantastic and she seems to have alot of supportive friends around her. I wish her all the luck and love in the Future she is an inspiration. Donna Bridson mother to Aiden. Xx
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspirational young lady, so lovely. I wish her all the best, I hope my little one has such a happy fun and eventful life as kate. Xxxxx
ReplyDeleteI also have avoided the programme because I don't like the title and they way I assumed it would be portrayed. I may go find it on repeat after this post - I'm glad it had such a positive reaction.
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