https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcQmodRLQrI&feature=share

"Every year 1,200 people with a learning disability die avoidably in the NHS".

My name is Mitch. I have been supporting The Paul Ridd Foundation for well over a year now and have taken part in the Midnight Walk as well as a skydive last year to raise vital funds to ensure each and every individual who is admitted to hospital with a learning disability receive equal healthcare with reasonable adjustments in place to fulfil exceptional care in a person-centered manner.

I have an older brother, Nathan, who happens to be my best-friend. Nathan needs a little support from time to time as he has a learning disability. We do everything together and I would not have it any other way.

We are raising money for an amazing charity, The Paul Ridd Foundation, that has made such a difference to every hospitals in Wales and have created over 200 learning disability champions, who are on the ground within the hospital setting. These learning disability champions have influence on how care is delivered to individuals who have a learning disability when they have a hospital admission whilst making reasonable adjustments.

Nathan will be taking on the world's fastest zipwire in Snowdonia with speeds of over 100mph on Friday 16th August 2018. Mitch will be taking on climbing Mount Snowdon, climbing nearly 3,000ft in North Wales on Saturday 17th August 2018.

"Paul died on the 23rd January 2009 and we were devastated at losing him. We knew there were so many questions to be answered concerning the last three days of Paul’s life. "

Please watch this link to Youtube on for a little background on The Paul Ridd Foundation, how an individual with a learning disability is met by champions, learning disability liaison nurses and how reasonable adjustments are made using the traffic light system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcQmodRLQrI&feature=share

Thanks to The Paul Ridd Foundation, I feel really confident and reassured that if Nathan were to have an inpatient hospital admission, the learning disability champions would have a great input into Nathan's care by making reasonable adjustments whilst being supported by learning disability liaison nurses. However, this has to continue and keep on improving within our hospitals to ensure each and every individual with a learning disability receives the care they deserve.

The vision for The Paul Ridd Foundation for the future is:

"We want people with a learning disability to be valued in society and receive a fair and equitable service when receiving hospital care"

There are plans of creating a learning disability hub, e-learning packages for hospital staff and to make learning disability awareness training mandatory for all NHS staff. Unfortunately, these fantastic ideas for change cost money.

With you're support, we will continue to make a difference.

Thank you,

Mitch and Nathan

#SeeThePersonNotTheDisability

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcQmodRLQrI&feature=sharehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcQmodRLQrI&feature=share