Ms Shona Healy:

For me, it was very eye-opening. As I was so unable to engage in the mainstream education system, I ran into a lot of trouble and was seen as a problem. I was not able to get through the work, as other people were, and there was not much patience with me either, as I did not have that assessment of needs. On coming to the National Learning Network, I do not know how to explain it but the instructors have a less authoritative role that definitely makes you feel a lot more at ease there. In terms of the community, we are all there together Monday to Friday. It was the first time I could socialise in a way in which I was never able to in mainstream because disabled people tend to socialise together in a very different way than you do outside of that. That was a first for me in a lot ways, engaging with my education in a way that is fulfilling to me and does not hurt my mental health. I do not know if that answers your question.