Have you ever had a moment where your world stands still and your life takes a dramatic shift in reality. I'm not talking about the big wow moments in Arenas or Conferences. I’m talking about the small moments that have as much maybe even more power than the big moments. From what I can recollect I have had couple of these moments.

It was in 2005, I had just been working at this conference centre for a few weeks. The Encephalitis Society came to have their children’s and families Weekend Away. I remember clearly being pulled aside shortly before their arrival as I asked the genuine question as to what was Encephalitis (if you are unaware yourself, please read here) Our boss — as I was hosting this event with a fellow staff member — told is something along the lines “Encephalitis is a swelling on the brain. Which leaves the people affected a little strange. Whatever you do don't laugh at them.” I have to admit to being a little shocked by this comment. Now, I feel him telling us not to laugh at them tells me far more about his thinking, than it does about us. It also made me concerned — Was this guy laughing at me behind my back? Anyway — thats side tracking.

Over the weekend we were inspired, challenges and grown by these people. I learned many things about myself and my own disability by watching them and interacting with then. But none more than on the last night.

As customary with a lot of weekend aways (and I've been on and hosted enough of them to testify to this) there is often a talent show at the end. Whether we would be allowed in on these all depended on the people who were there. I don't believe in this case we were (I don't think we were banned, but just not invited.) But I had been asked to collect something for someone. I can't remember what now. As I approached all I could here was Ronan Keating. He wasn't on the weekend obviously, but his CD was playing. I remember approaching the room wondering what was going on.

When I entered the room my whole live froze.

Sat in her wheelchair in front of everyone was a girl called Lorna. At first I thought she was just sat there, but it soon dawned on me that she was singing along. Lorna was probably the most severe of the people there. My gosh was she singing her heart out! It was spellbinding.

Of course I made the classic mistake afterwards of going up to her Dad to say how much she had touched me with her singing, instead of her. This is a lesson I learned ready for when I was a teaching assistant a few years later when I worked with severely disabled children. Never did I talk down or through those children, like so many others do. I’m still in contact with one of the guys I used to help, he now rund Accessible Leeds which is a review site for public spaces and how good they are for disabled people. Check it out here. Also check of the 2005 Newsletter for the Encephalitis Society at the bottom of this blog where you will find (at the back a letter) I wrote with my colleague.

The other special moment I want to talk about is when a group of Asylum Seekers from Bradford came to the conference centre. At this time of my life I was at one of my lowest points, it was not long after leaving the conference centre that I had my final attempt to commit suicide. Having the Asylum Seekers there was a very humbling, none more so than the evening. I cannot remember now exactly what had led me into a a bought of depression, but I remember it being one of the worst. I think I was thinking I was hiding away, but I was obviously not very wise at this as I chose right in the foyer. One of the children, who can’t have been more than ten saw me there and came and sat down next to me. We sat in silence for a while, but then he looked at me and gave me a sympathetic smile and said; “What’s up bud.” This absolutely broke me, and I started to weep. This kid who must have seen far more horrors than I could imagine, was checking if I was ok. He then put his arm around me, as you can guess — totally killed me!

You see help, support an inspiration can come from anywhere and anyone. If you blinker yourself that you can get it from only one sourse. Let me tell you — you’ll be missing something amazing!