4/9/2009 - Aiming High - a major conference at Rheged

Cumbrian paralympian Paula Johnson will be among several speakers addressing an inclusion event - 'Including All' - hosted by Cumbria Children's Trust as part of Aiming High for Disabled Children at Rheged near Penrith on Monday (7th Sept.)

The government wants to transform services for disabled children and their families and have given all local authorities funding to increase the volume and range of short breaks, to allow the children and young people to have a good time whilst allowing their parents to have a break from caring.

In the autumn, parents and those working with them, developed a vision of what they would like to see as part of this and this was that ‘disabled children and young people will be able to access more of the places and activities they want, both specialist and universal.'

This means that all activities provided for children should welcome and support disabled children who want to join in.

Monday's event is designed to inspire those who provide activities to do just this and to consider what they can do to make their activities accessible.

Amongst her many sporting achievments Paula Johnson represented Great Britain in the Wheelchair Basketball team at the Paralympics in Beijing.

She is now focusing on winning a place at the London Olympics in 2012.

Also attending will be 13 year old Nat Pattinson from Carlisle who has won two gold medals at the national Junior Disabled athletics championships for sprinting and seated discus.

Nat, who features on the Aiming High publicity material, and his mother, will speak about their experiences in the afternoon. 

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337