Angela Smith

Angela was born in 1962 in London. Her parents came to England from Guyana and settled in Walthamstow where Angela lived with her eight brothers and sisters. At age five Angela went to a local special school. Then from the age of ten she attended two residential special schools run by the Spastics Society (now SCOPE), in Lincolnshire and Kent.

Hating Myself

Here Angela describes how she was treated as a young black disabled person in her school and the impact that had on her identity.

Depression

Here Angela describes the impact of her relationship with her family after school.

Opposite

Here Angela describes how she defied the low expectations that were placed on her.

Cruelty

Here Angela describes the treatment from the staff in her boarding school.

Losing Confidence

Here Angela describes the impact of public attitudes towards her when she went out in groups from school.

Tomboy

Here Angela talks about an accident she had while playing with her friends.

Have You Been?

Here Angela recalls aspects of dormitory life at school.

Roots

Here Angela describes the impact of the loss of her family relationships.

From Freedom to Regimentation

Here Angela describes the difference between going to her local special school and residential special school.

Disinfectant

Here Angela talks about her first memory of residential school.

Fed Like Pigs

Here Angela describes her painful experience of meal times at college.

My Left Foot

Here Angela talks about her life at home as a child.