Cornwall & Devon: Wendy

My Name is Wendy Paxton. I am 57 years old and I was born in Derby.

When I was nine years old my family moved down to Cornwall. We lived in many places all over Cornwall’s north coast.

I have been in care from the age of 10 until April this year and I went to a boarding school called Pencalenick in Truro. It was difficult at times but I had fun playing tricks on the teachers and nurses.

I moved to Helston on April 7th this year. I have move finances than I have ever had before. I have become a born again Christian being baptised on 13th July 2008 and I go to Helston light and life church. I am supported by a Prospects team and they are fantastic!

By joining the Forum I want help people to express themselves. I want to visit other people supported by Prospects in my area to see how I can help them. I have become very good at standing up for my self since moving to Helston (some would say I have a big mouth!). I want to use this gift to help others.

God Bless
Wendy Paxton.

Wendy was elected Chairperson of Our Lives, Our Prospects in early 2010.

"I am so privileged to be in the forum, thank you for voting for me. In my capacity I will try to be a good chairperson and I will listen to what you say. If you have any problems please let me know. I speak with you all at the next forum meeting. I would like to meet some of the Members of Parliament to see what polices they have for learning disabilities and ask them such questions as “are you going to cut the support funding for people with disabilities. I will stand up for our cause. We have a right to have our say so please let me know at: wendy_forum@hotmail.com"

Wendy's Election Day, 2010!

This year as well as to voting on Election Day I was also invited to watch the counting of votes and the declaration afterwards at Camborne Recreation Centre. Here in the St Ives constituency we didn’t start counting until 10.00 am on Friday as the Cornish like to do things ‘dreckly’. I met Derek Thomas who was standing for the Conservatives, Andrew George Liberal Democrats and the television crew from Politics South West. Derek used to be the Project Manager for ‘The Mustard Seed’ who partner with Prospects as our Landlord in Helston, before standing down to fight the election. The day was very enlightening watching them count the vote again and again with whispers of the vote going this way and that with Derek Thomas and Andrew George vying for first place. Derek and I talked about the Prospects Forum and Derek was very pleased I was elected Chair Person. Unfortunately he did not have such a successful day narrowly missing out to Andrew George.

	Wendy having her toenails painted by her support worker Claire.
	Giving out church leaflets at the Helston Christmas lights switch on.
	Shopping at Tesco's.