Valued, Included and Participating
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Daniel’s Story
D
aniel Tucker loves art, particularly drawing and he is a prolific poet. He is 24 years old and recently had a health issue, which scared the life out of his immediate family: mother Karen and sisters …. This related to a heart condition, which Daniel has had ever since he was an infant, making him particularly susceptible to heart disease. Thankfully Daniel pulled through this latest hiccup of the heart. His family were so relieved and delighted that they celebrated in unusual style. Off they went and each got a family tattoo consisting of three arrows that symbolize the three 21st chromosomes particular to Downs Syndrome, while also symbolising how we rise up and move forward despite adversity. The tattoo is a statement about Down Syndrome, and family and friends of people with Down syndrome all over the world are
now getting this ink to which portrays their love and appreciation to have such a special person in their life. Daniel works in developing his art at the Papermill on 38 Kamo Road. This organisation started with the sole activity of making paper by recycling. These days it embraces a range of activities in the Arts including drawing and painting. Daniel interest in visual art reflects this. He has a special interest in the Classics, mainly Egyptian hieroglyphics and Egyptian history. Annelies Leeuwenburg is Daniel’s supervisor. She’s says that Daniel is a great socialiser and gets on with everyone around him and is a valued member of the Papermill team. Here is one of Daniel’s poems. Here is an excerpt from one of Daniel’s many poems..
■ Daniel Tucker (right) with his boss Annalies Leeuwenburg
“Look deep in yourself, close your eyes and keep your mind wide open and see you speaking our life”