As Lindsay McKeown and her daughter, Siouxi, are greeted at the doors of the Haven Centre in Inverness, the loving bond between the pair is evident. Lindsay, a single mum, describes Siouxi (20) as amazing, funny and strong willed. But day-to-day life with Siouxi is also challenging as she has a rare genetic condition, Angelman syndrome, which causes severe learning and physical disabilities.
She is non-verbal and also has ataxia, a disorder which affects co-ordination, balance and speech. “She is pretty much 24/7,” Lindsay says. “It can be very difficult even when she is being absolutely fantastic.
” The Haven Centre, which Scotland’s first multi-purpose centre for children and young adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities, has made a massive difference for the pair, who live in Inverness, since it opened one year ago. • • • Having taken the Elsie Normington Foundation 10 years and £4.8 million to achieve, it features an indoor specialist play centre, a community café, meeting spaces and garden plus three respite flats for children and young adults up to the age of 30.
During its first year, this pioneering centre in the heart of Smithton has seen more than 200 families and young people use its services. While the foundation operates the respite suites, the play centre is operated by its partner, the Special Needs Action Project (SNAP), which has launched new services and initiatives during its first year. Siouxi is among the young people who.