intellectual disability
making a difference
F
ounder and chief executive
of DanDaLion Friends
Laury Bray is attempting
to make permanent change to
perceptions of the disability
world, writes Steve Brew. diffabilities?” Working for, with members and families are also
and through his 22-year-old son substantial and deeply personal. Alison
Dan (‘Dan Da Lion’), who is on the Fenton, whose 18-year-old son Ben
autism spectrum, Laury has created has Down syndrome and is profoundly
DanDaLionFriends. deaf, says that he loves DanDaLion
Friends’ events as they provide him a
hosts inclusive social events, which rare opportunity to socialise.
from a new angle, starting with foster the building of friendships
changing the word ‘disability’ to by integrating its members with invited anywhere, and has no-one to
‘diffability’. the broader community. “It is as hang out with. At his day group, one
much about the community as the recent activity required him to list all
Laury founded DanDaLion members,” Laury says. “I don’t want his friends. The exercise proved quite
Friends in 2013, to celebrate and them to be seen as events for those a challenge for him. After thinking
demonstrate the value that people with diffabilities. They are for everyone, awhile, he wrote down his sisters’
with a ‘diffability’ contribute to the including parents and carers.” names, and then added his teacher’s
Laury Bray is tackling attitudes
Passionate about this approach,
DanDaLion Friends arranges and
”Ben has no friends, is never
community. He wants to recapture the unbridled pride in small therapist by trade, has been a
achievements, and the seemingly volunteer with DanDaLion for over is common amongst those with
unlimited optimism, tenacity, and joy two years. She sees the organisation diffabilities. However, with the support
of life that accompany the world of as an opportunity to work in the of volunteers, parents and carers, Laury
diffability. disability sector at a grassroots level, is working hard to change this and
and identifies with DanDaLion’s make what he calls, ‘a generational
“You and I can leave a legacy, so ethos: “It feels natural,” she says. change’ to perceptions, tolerance,
why can’t my son and others with acceptance and understanding.
Laury challenges current thinking:
Clare Griffin, an occupational
The benefits for the organisation’s
name to the list.”
This heart-breaking situation
Laury Bray started DanDaLion
Friends with limited resources in June
2013 and runs the organisation today
on a zero income budget. They exist
on nothing more than small grants
and donations to help fund further
activities, but ultimately Laury would
like to see DanDaLion Friends become
a legitimate charity in its own right.
Armed with a commitment to his
core values of innovation, integrity and
inspiration, Laury is working hard to
make his dream become a reality. He is
providing the spark that is igni