The power of storytelling for Scope

Storytelling is an integral part of Scope’s work. The power of sharing real life and lived experiences through our platforms influences policy and challenges societal attitudes.

In our recent campaign, Now is the Time, parents with disabled children shared their stories of the gaps in support they experienced, from birth to diagnosis.

For National Storytelling Week, four Scope storytellers share the impact of storytelling for them. We hope you enjoy their stories.

Christie “Sharing our story has had a huge impact on me personally.”

As a parent, hearing the words that your child has brain damage, is crushing. For a long time, I could see feel nothing but despair, guilt, anger and bitterness. I fell into a deep depression and couldn’t focus on what Elise needed from me.

Getting involved with Scope and sharing our story made the biggest difference, we met other families who were going through the same as us, they helped me understand that I wasn’t alone, and it wasn’t my fault.

Elise started to progress in ways that we never expected. Seeing the way other people with disabilities lived their life and the amazing things they were achieving, made me realise that as long as we adapted life a little and had the right support, there was no reason Elise couldn’t live her life to the best of her ability.

Sharing our story had an amazing impact on us because our friends, family and the followers Elise has on her Facebook page, have read more into what we have to face, like the fight for services, funding and support.

I shared the campaign and then I watched it get shared by so many people. I kept checking online and watching the signatures increase, it was amazing! We had some lovely messages from people telling me they didn’t realise how much we had to face.

Only positive things can come from sharing your story, it helps in ways that you would never think and definitely helps you realise that you aren’t alone in this!

The Ratcliffe family “Support others by telling your story.”

Being a Scope storyteller is a privilege as we are able to share our personal story, whilst understanding that we are also supporting the vital work of Scope.

During our last Twitter Takeover, the number of people who signed the petition call for a Minister for Disabled Children and Families rocketed. We were pleased that people didn’t only like our story, but it encouraged people to take direct action. The needs of disabled people in our country are significant, we all know that. Telling our story, if it helps to raise awareness, is a good way for us to help.

We have really enjoyed sharing our family’s story. It has given us the opportunity to put into words what, to us, has been just part of everyday life. When we get feedback, people often comment on the things people take for granted; family outings or going for a haircut. We have been told that our family’s determination to lead full and fun-packed lives, provides inspiration to others and, if it does, then that is fantastic! What better way to support others by telling your own story?

Menna “Change is needed.”

After re-reading my story, it made me realise the little professional support that parents like me receive after diagnosis of your baby. Also, the lack of support the children get, especially when growing up and wanting independence.

I’m hoping that by sharing my story it might help the government realise that change is needed, not only for the beginning of a child’s life, but also when a child is growing up.

Sam “Sharing my story has helped me to not feel so alone.”

Storytelling is believed to be one of the most ancient of human activities, it’s easy to see the benefit is not just in the listening but in the telling too.

Sharing my story has helped me to not feel so alone. Becoming a parent of a severely disabled child and the paths you have to navigate because of that, can be very lonely and isolating at times. It’s easy to think you are the only one going through this or blame yourself for over thinking things or feeling down.

Discovering that you are part of a much bigger group of people facing the same or similar challenges is empowering and comforting. Listening to other people’s stories helps to put everything into perspective and gain some sense of balance.

I’d like to think that sharing my story has helped the Now is the Time campaign by giving another personal perspective on what becoming a parent of a disabled child is like. There is still much to be learned and improved on in the diagnosis of children, the care and support families inevitably need, and the funding required to give people all the facilities and equipment disabled children may need to live a full life.

I hope my story will help those in positions of power to realise now is the time to support people better. I never want another new mother to be told their baby has “something wrong with them” then be left alone on a maternity ward. That should not have happened to me and I hope it will never again happen to another parent

Sharing your own story, possibly helping someone else with your words even, is a gentle yet powerful part of a healing process

We’d like to thank all of Scope’s storytellers, past and present, for sharing real lived experience to drive social change so that disabled people can enjoy equality and fairness.

During National Storytelling Week, we will be sharing lots of different Scope storytellers and telling you how you can get involved.