Jessica Jane Applegate MBE, double Paralympian swimmer and gold medallist who has a learning disability was a guest speaker at Harrow Mencap’s Sport You Can Conference in Parliament. Jessica-Jane from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk shared her experience of being a Paralympian with learning disabilities to the audience of over 100 attendees alongside some of this country’s leading organisations in social care, sports and the health sector.
The Sport You Can Conference was developed by Learning Disability Charity Harrow Mencap, in collaboration with six leading institutions – Community Integrated Care, Level Playing Field, Sport England, Portsmouth FC, Rugby Super League and International Mixed-Ability Sport. The Conference took place at the House of Parliament as part of National Learning Disability Week last month, and this year celebrated sport and inclusion and showcased the best examples of sports for people with learning disability.
Jessica-Jane Applegate, MBE is a Paralympic swimmer who won a gold medal in the London 2012 Paralympics. Jessica-Jane completes in the S14 classification for Swimmers with intellectual disabilities and was awarded an MBE for services to swimming in 2012. Jessica-Jane will be swimming for team GB in the World Para Championships at the London Aquatic’s Centre 9 – 15 September 2019. https://britishswimming.seetickets.com/tour/london-2019-world-para-swimming-champs?pre=l19wpsc&src=presale
Harrow Mencap is the main Campaigning organisation for people with learning disabilities and Autism in Harrow, Middlesex. The charity provides a range of personalised services and support for children, young people and adults across all disabilities in Harrow and the surrounding areas. The charity is campaigning to break down barriers for people with learning disabilities to participate in sports and to make sports more inclusive. Organisations and individuals can get involved with the sports inclusion discussion and have their say using #sportsyoucan on twitter.
Jessica Jane Applegate MBE and Paralympian gold medallist swimmer said: “It was an honour to be part of the first #SportsYouCan event. Sport must become accessible to everyone whether you want to take part yourself, coach, volunteer, spectate or socialise. It’s fantastic for physical & mental health and actually changes lives! We can do this #TOGETHER!”
Deven Pillay CEO of Harrow Mencap said: “I am delighted that our very first Sports You Can Conference bought together so many like-minded organisations who are focusing on inclusion in sports for people with learning disabilities. The conference was a great example of the power of collaborations, and we are looking forward to continuing our discussions around sports inclusion and the necessary improvements needed for people with learning disabilities.”
Mark Adams, CEO of Community Integrated Care, added: “It was an honour to showcase the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League at Parliament, at the Harrow Mencap’s Sports You Can Conference, which celebrated the very best of learning disability sports. We are excited for how far the Learning Disability Super League can grow in the seasons ahead and look forward to developing many more life-changing programmes in collaboration with the sport.”