I am Gayle, I have been a member of UpsnDowns since 2014. For the last 2 years I have been a trustee and this year I am delighted to have been elected as vice chair.

I first found about UpsnDowns through the charity’s information pack which was given to us in hospital shortly after my son’s diagnosis at birth.  In those early weeks and months the ability to meet with other parents, share experiences and advice was invaluable to us as a family.  As he has grown we have seen the benefit of the charities support and services for us and those working with him.

As a charity we grow and evolve as new members join us and as our oldest members move towards adulthood.  I am grateful for the support that UpsnDowns have given to me and am keen to ensure that the work the charity does continues to support our members, and to explore additional services that we can seek to provide. 

Our young members inspire us to look at life from a different perspective, to challenge our own presumptions about their ability and as parents and carers we can learn so much from them.