What I need to live a good life

The theme for World Down’s Syndrome Day this year is to “call on all governments to improve our support systems”.

Berge Kanikanian is a Treat Me Right! trainer and independent campaigner who happens to have Down's Syndrome. He tells us what he would like the government to know about what he needs to live a good life.

I want the government to improve the lives of people with Downs Syndrome. We should have a voice and have our say.

Annual Health Checks are so important. I want every person with Downs Syndrome to know about them. I want every single doctor to know that they have to do them and why they are needed. People with learning disabilities live shorter lives with more health problems and the Annual Health Check helps people live longer.

I want it to be the law that doctors and nurses read my Hospital Passport when I am in hospital. It will help them learn what I need to get better and have good healthcare. People think they may not have time to read information about me, but taking time to know me will save both of us time in the future.

When bad things happen to people with learning disabilities, it’s usually because someone has forgotten that we are people with our own rights, wants and beliefs. I’d want the government to remember that behind every statistic and Benefit bill, there is a person trying to live their life.

I think people with learning disabilities should be encouraged to vote. I think having pictures of the candidates, as well as Easy Read and Large Print forms will help people to understand who they are voting for. People need to understand that their voice matters, and sometimes we need support to understand things. I would like every support worker to know that helping someone use their voice is one of the most important parts of their job.

People need opportunities to have good lives. People need to know that they can have good lives. People should be encouraged to do everything they can. Good health and social care can not only help make people’s dreams come true, but it can also help people understand what those dreams are, and even that they can have dreams. That’s why I think the government should invest in the lives of all disabled people by making sure they have the support and systems they need.