SSppeecciiaallEEddiittiioonn

Welcome to the second issue of Special Edition, the Exposure supplement for young

people with special needs.

The words ‘special needs’ cover all sorts of problems that affect the way people learn,

communicate and behave. A group of young people with special needs may all have very

different problems that affect them in may different ways, so like everybody else, they are

all very different people.

In this issue young people talk about their lives, what they like doing, and their futures, and

we catch up with the young people who contributed to the last issue to find out how they

felt about seeing their work published.

by marcel, 14

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My parents were happy tosee my pictures. I feelhappy. They said, ‘You arein a magazine, we’re soproud’. My friends said,‘Look there’s a magazinewith us in it’. I like lookingat the picture of me with asnake around my neck.

“”

”

It’s a fantastic feeling seeingmy work in a magazine. Peoplesaid, ‘Ali, you’re in a magazine!’I feel proud of myself. In myarticle I talked about wantingto be a motorbike rider whenI’m older. Seeing those words inthe magazine made it real.

“

pprroouudd ttoo bbee iinn pprriinntt!!

By Ali, 14

By Jason, 15

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I felt like I was very open to tell peoplemy experiences. My mother hasn’t seenmy article yet. She has a big, big heart.I have two friends in france who arevery sweet. I will tell them to read mywork on the Exposure website. I love tomeet new friends and share problemswith them.

My mum saw it and was happy. I was so happy to see my article.”

“”

”I read my article when Iwent to Number 10, theYouth Club in Bruce Grove. Ihad to think about who toshow it to. “

“I wish Samantha was here.I don’t feel right having myphoto taken without herbecause we’re best friends andour article was about us both.

“

By Mirela, 19

By Sarah, 15”

By Yasmin, 14

By Marcel, 14

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I have a sister, Susanna, who is 16 years oldand has a rare chromosome disorder. Herspecial needs mean to me that she is extraspecial in every way.

I normally try to talk to my sister and she likesto do a lot of the stuff I do, like going to thecinema and shopping. She also really likeswatching films and wearing make-up.Whenever I do my make-up, I try to involveher as much as I can by sharing my make-upwith her. Susanna is a big fan of music andhas loads of CDs in her room and listens tothem 24/7. I feel that after my 13 years ofliving I have grown into looking after kidsand may even work with kids when I’m older.

Sometimes I imagine having a sister who isn’taffected by special needs so I could go outmore with her and she could look after me,not the other way around. I have had to growup quicker as I am kind of the oldest.Sometimes I feel ok about Susanna being theway she is because I can’t change anything,but sometimes I get upset wishing she hadno special needs. I try and spend a lot of timewith my sister and not leave her out. I love mysister as she is most special.

by susanna, 16

mmuussiicc && mmeeI am Susanna. I am 16. I go to a very special school. The school is for children with special needs. I love it there. I’ve got lots of friends.I do lots of activities at school. I enjoy doing creative things like Art and Music.I love Computers too. When I’m at home I listen to music. I love The Spice Girls.I love Hairspray songs.I also love High School Musical songs and Grease songs. I love to sing and dance.I like to relax and watch good films (mostly musicals).I spend lots of time with my family. I love my little sister and little brother.

by gaby, 14

eexxttrraa ssppeecciiaall ssiisstteerrss!!

illustrations by dane brown

gaby

susanna

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This is my story of being an avenger of my dead clan

because my brother kills all of them. I study very well to

be so strong. All the girls want me and all the boys want

to be like me because I am the top student in the ninja

academy. Ever since I was a kid I knew the situation of a

dojo student. My life was learning how to become a cool

genius like Sasuke Uchiha. I started to name my mates, by

giving them codenames like Blader, Shadow the

Hedgehog and Darker X-Ray. I had an accident at the lab

when broken glass hit my arm. When I went to my room I

felt swollen. Then I got better and learnt some new skills.

P.S. These are some bags I designed.

by yasmin, 14(code name: snake skechers)

mmyy ccooooll ssttoorryy

I am studying computing, like

learning how to type. Sometimes

we play board games at college

and sometimes we do drama. My

favourite thing at college is

watching DVDs. I like films that

make me laugh. I love High School

Musical. Sometimes people at

college don’t talk to me. I just get

on with things and try to ignore

them. When I ask them, ‘Are you

my friend?’, they shake their head

and walk away. I don’t understand

why they do that. When I am older,

I want to work in a CD shop

because I love music.

ccoolllleeggeelliiffee

by antonia, 20

by sharon, 18

I like using computers. I like doingart and going to school. I lovedrawing. In my picture I have drawnleaves, a heart and a light becausethey are my favourite things.

ffaavvoouurriittee tthhiinnggss

antonia

sharon

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In the future, I see myself being a beauty

therapist. I would also like to learn about

reflexology and massage. I would like to work

for a big company. It is important to me to

take care of how I look, like my personal

appearance. Usually I only use natural creams

for my face. I always like to be very clean and

to wear smart clothes. If I am working as a

beauty therapist, the way I look is like an

advertisement for future clients: my looks

attract people and they will ask me to do

their treatment.

I have almost finished Stage 1 of my course in

beauty therapy and I will progress to Stage 2

which is a bit harder. I’m very grateful to a lot

of people who are helping me develop,

especially Dexter at Bruce Grove Youth

Centre. If I have a problem, Dexter explains

things to me and helps me find solutions.

I carry people that I love in my mind and in

my heart. When I was living in Romania, I had

good friends and I will never forget them.

From the age of three, I was living in a

wonderful orphanage in Romania. I had the

best time there and everyone treated me

well. When I went to the next orphanage at

17, they treated me like a dog. They were

cruel to me.

I feel happy and safe in London and I love the

staff at Bruce Grove Youth Centre, especially

Faith and Dexter. I also like Mirella from

Exposure who has the same name as me.

These people are understanding. Dexter has

given me so much confidence and has been

like a father to me. Before I met him, I was

scared but now I feel safe. Thank you so much

for believing in me.

mmyy lliiffee && mmyy ffuuttuurree

by mirela, 19

illustration by mirela

Special_Edition_4 print 16/5/08 19:23 Page 6

I like going to Bruce Grove Youth Centre every week.

I do drawings, meet friends and listen to music. I feel

happy there. My best friend, Antonia comes too.

The rest of the time I stay at home. I love watching TV

like EastEnders and The Bill. I live with my mum, dad

and six brothers and sisters. I am the oldest. It feels

good being the oldest. I take my brothers and sisters

to the park sometimes. We’ve got a big house.

I was going to Tottenham College and doing a flower

arrangement course. I remember I made my mum a

clay flower to show my feelings of love for her

because she looks after me. She looks after all of us.

I’ve got three more years left of my course and then

I want to study childcare because I want to be a

childminder. Flowers are my favourite things,

especially daffodils. I feel excited about seeing me

and my flowers in Exposure magazine.

I am scared about getting stabbed because

stabbings happen alot. The other day a group of

people tried stabbing me at the bus stop.

I am really upset children haven’t got any food in

Africa. If I could, I would send them my food.

fflloowweerr ppoowweerr

by leanne, 20

antonia & leanne(best friends)

illustrationby missi

flowersby leanne

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by ali, 14

This booklet was produced by

young people at Bruce Grove

Youth Centre and Exposure,

Haringey's award-winning youth

media charity. It was paid for by

Awards For All.

The following young people took

part in this project:

Ali Ahmed

Antonia Ellis

Gabriella Camerota

Dane Brown

Jason Talbert

Leanne Bushell

Marcel Fearon

Mirela Confederat

Sharon Adokorah

Susanna Camerota

Yasmin Hassa

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