Jennifer
started the undergraduate BSC Nursing studies (learning Disability) as part of
the 2015/16 cohort and was introduced to the SLDNN student forum at Christmas
in that year by Sian Pearson.
Jennifer previously worked with Strathclyde Regional
council social work department working with and caring for adults and children
with learning disabilities however family commitment forced her to resign. She
then began campaigning to establish affordable childcare within her local area
and was able to help establish both pre-5 and 5 to 14 out of school services with
funding from the Scottish Office urban programme budget.
Whilst recruiting and managing staff within these projects,
Jennifer completed a BA in Human Resource Management however she always hoped
that the skills she learned could be transferred to working with people with
learning disabilities again.
The final catalyst to return to university was the birth of
her grandson in 2011, he developed early onset GBS within 12hours of birth and
was gravely ill. He has since been diagnosed with a learning disability,
Autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, he is non-verbal but a gorgeous wee
boy.
