Arts and Learning Difficulties – A personal view

At an early age I was diagnosed with learning difficulties. But, luckily for me, I also discovered music and drama. My interest in creative things comes from my family. Both my grandparents loved music, played the piano and encouraged me to continue the family tradition! From the age of six I went to a local drama club and started listening to and writing music. I find that the creative side of my brain is stronger than my logical processing side. I love doing improvisation because I can have random thoughts, express them and create a piece of drama. I have a musical ear so can usually play a piece of music on my keyboard after hearing it once. Drama and music play to my strengths and so make me feel confident. Importantly, this confidence affects other parts of my life.

When Im acting, singing or playing my keyboard Im focused on the drama or music Im creating, not my learning difficulty. Drama, singing, songwriting and anything creative gives me a form of escapism from my learning difficulty. I know if I have had a bad day, I can de-stress and relax through acting or singing.

I find some subjects, like maths and science, difficult because you have to think logically. Drama and music are great because there is no wrong or right. When I am writing a song or acting, I can do anything I like and make any idea work. Also, music and drama allows me to create an identity that is not about my learning difficulty. My acting style and my songs reflect my personality  how I think and what I feel as a person, not just a learning difficulties person.

I have made lots of friends through music and drama activities. I am a member of the Disabled Artists Network (http://www.disabledartistsnetwork.net), which has put me in touch with creative people around the world. I have also found work through drama. At my drama club I was a teaching assistant for about nine years, which I really enjoyed. Recently I did an internship in the education department of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. In the future I hope to continue acting, singing, songwriting and being involved with drama education.

If I had not done creative activities, my life would be completely different. I would be more withdrawn, less confident and have fewer friends. Disability is a personal issue  only the person who has the disability can truly understand what its like and what they need. Drama and music have helped me achieve more than I could have imagined. n

Matthew Roze is a freelance music and drama practitioner.
e: [email protected]