Our dear friend and founder Freddie Spedding sadly died last week. Freddie was
one of the amazing self advocates who started People First in 1990.
Fred was a wonderful self advocate and always stud up for the rights of people
who had learning difficulties.
Fred once said:
“All my life I was too frightened to speak my mind because I was terrified I would
be hit….All my life people made decisions for me – where would I live, what I
would do…but since I joined the advocacy group that has changed. I always
knew I had the right to speak out, but I was terrified – now I just don’t care.
I have the confidence to know that I deserve to be listened to. I make the
decisions now, and soon sort out anybody who tried to ignore what I want…
they treat us like children that never grow up, and that is why the Carlisle
People First Group is so important.”
News and Star, Saturday September 10th 1994 (The same year Fred went to
Canada!)