Most days, this life now feels ordinary. I’m not gonna lie, I take it for granted. Yet every so often these moments remind me of how unusual it is that someone from my background gets to be in them.
In terms of the importance of success stories, I have seen dry statistics on careleavers in HE in my day job, but it was hearing Lemn Sissay talking about his background that really made me realise the extra hurdles (as you say, over and above the existing difficulties of a working class background) and how immense his achievements are. Because people like him and you are very open about where you’re from it does show others that it’s not an impossible dream.
That is quite a noteworthy day :-)
In terms of the importance of success stories, I have seen dry statistics on careleavers in HE in my day job, but it was hearing Lemn Sissay talking about his background that really made me realise the extra hurdles (as you say, over and above the existing difficulties of a working class background) and how immense his achievements are. Because people like him and you are very open about where you’re from it does show others that it’s not an impossible dream.
Thankyou Matt, yet another revealing wonderfully descriptive piece of writing.
Martin's former son-in-law is one of my closest friends x