THE learning disability charity Mencap, has announced it has welcomed activist Heidi Crowter from Coventry as an ambassador for the charity.
Heidi along with 18 other ambassadors are all living life with a learning disability and through their work with Mencap will be helping to challenge wider stigmas and societal misconceptions about what living life with a learning disability looks like.
The Myth Busters, as they’re known, are a group of people that demonstrate just how unique learning disability is and how everyone in the community deserves to be equally seen and heard.
They include Michael Beynon – the first man in Wales with Down’s syndrome to run a marathon, who also set-up his own successful business producing the best Welsh cakes in the country; Sophie Potter – a self-identified ‘Party girl’ who loves Sex and the City and going dancing on nights out with her sister; and Ellie Goldstein – face of Gucci and Glamour Magazine’s ‘Gamechanging Model of the Year’, to name a few.
Heidi made history during the Summer of 2021 by being the first activist with Down’s Syndrome to spearhead a national campaign to try and change the current law surrounding the abortion of babies with Down’s Syndrome.
Heidi got married in the Summer of 2020 to her partner James, and they now live independently, with support in Coventry.
Heidi said: “I’m excited to be a Mencap Myth Buster because I love being a voice for those who can’t speak.
“I want to bust the myth that people with a learning disability can’t get married: my husband James and I are very happily married!”
Edel Harris, Chief Executive of the learning disability charity Mencap, said: “Each and everyone of these Myth Busters are amazing and I can’t thank them enough for joining the Mencap family.
“To have this diverse group of unique, talented, interesting, energetic, and fun people on board to help us shatter misconceptions, reduce stigma and campaign for societal change and greater inclusion of people with a learning disability is a real pleasure and privilege.”
Visit mencap.org.uk/mythbusters for more information.
