Hello, my name is Lauren.  I have been living at the Meath for 3 years and I am now 26 years old.

I have mild cerebral palsy, epilepsy and a learning disability.  Since I was 13, I have also suffered from a condition called episodic ataxia which made me really sick and dizzy with bad headaches.  I ended up spending most of my teenage years bedridden and having to use a wheelchair.  I was then attacked by a man delivering goods to my home, so didn't feel safe there any more.  First I went to a residential college but was unhappy there and came back home.  Then we found The Meath!

The Meath is a great place to live and the staff are really good.  They all look after us really well.  What I like best is that I can do my own thing.  Sometimes I get  frustrated when people do not understand what is wrong with me.  Because I look okay people think I can do more than I can and often don't believe me when I say I am ill, because they cant see my headaches or dizziness.  But the staff at The Meath have got to know me really well and understand when I feel unwell and know what I can and can't do.  They let me rest if I feel sick and they allow me to cope in my own way.

At the Meath we have a Day Centre where we can do woodwork, drama, computers and learn to cook.  There is a sensory room where we can chill out and a gym where we can exercise.  There is also an Art House where our work is put on display in exhibitions across the country and our paintings are sold.  I like finding out about the Titanic and the history of Godalming or about haunted houses. I have painted pictures of the Titanic and built a model boat which is on display in the Day Centre.  We can also go out and work outside The Meath if we are able to, such as helping in the local Charity shops or supermarket, and some people go to College. We go on trips to the seaside, the theatre and bowling.  We sometimes put on our own shows, such as Grease.  Our next show is Bugsy Malone.

The Meath is great because we are all treated with respect.  They didn't mind me having a tattoo or having a boyfriend, they don't go in my room if I am not there and we don't all have to go to bed at the same time!  We have units for people who are less able and flats for those who don't need so much help.  They even have a flat outside the Meath, where people can live more independently, which is something I am aiming for in the future.  We have meetings where we can say what we want to happen in the house or the Day Centre and they keep us informed of what is happening.

The Meath is a very special place and has given me my life back!  More importantly, I can make my own decisions and don't depend on my parents anymore.   I want to raise funds for The Meath to say thank you to them for helping me.

If you are reading this page, I hope you will help me to support The Meath by making a donation, however small.  It is such a great place to live and we feel safe, happy and secure here. 

You can also have a Tarot Reading and help raise funds in a fun way for The Meath by visiting www.tarot4charity.co.uk  

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Meath Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.


Many thanks for your support.

Lauren xxx