Dan’s story

An image of Dan posing with his hands and a big smile on his face stood on a stony bay in the Lake District next to a group of people looking out on the water.

Dan’s Story: Finding His Voice Through Galloways

Here at Galloways, we believe in shining a light on the incredible journeys of those we support. And in the Summer 2025 edition of our Bring Me Sunshine magazine, we’re proud to share the inspiring stories of Suraj, David, Maureen and Dan.

Dan’s story is one of resilience, growth, and the power of finding the right support.

Life Before Galloways for Dan

Dan is 22. He has Down’s syndrome, a visual impairment, and an auditory processing disorder. He is also mainly nonverbal. But behind these challenges is a young man full of energy and a deep love for sport. According to his mum, Trisha, finding accessible sporting opportunities for Dan, where his visual impairment would be understood, was nearly impossible.

Without specialist support, Dan found it difficult to take part in group activities. Like many in his position, he was at risk of becoming isolated, missing out on the joy, confidence, and social connection that come with being part of a team or community.

A Turning Point

That all changed in February 2025, when Dan was introduced to Galloways.

He joined us for a blind baseball session at All Hallows High School, Penwortham and quickly became a regular in our Get Active programme, which offers a range of adaptive sports and physical activities for people living with sight loss. Weekly games of Showdown (an accessible table sport for blind and partially sighted players) have not only allowed Dan to get active but have also encouraged him to start using his voice more confidently.

Thriving in a Supportive Space

Thanks to the patient support of our staff and volunteers, Dan is now flourishing. He’s building friendships, participating in activities he once found overwhelming, and enjoying the freedom that comes with growing independence. Trisha specifically mentioned the patience of our Get Active Coordinator, James Coulton, and how Dan has taken to him.

She also highlighted how people treat him as another member of the group with a visual impairment, and not as someone with Down’s syndrome, which is giving both Dan and Trisha the opportunity to foster more independence.

A highlight of Dan’s year so far was his visit to Water Park at Lake Coniston this April. In a safe and welcoming environment, Dan felt seen and supported and he truly began to thrive. Trisha mentioned how she knew he could safely have his independence and spend time wandering the residential premises alone, but all the while knowing that the team, volunteers and other group members would be there to assist him should he need it. This brought a huge peace of mind to Trisha.

Why Your Support Matters

Stories like Dan’s don’t happen by chance. They’re made possible by a community of generous supporters who believe, like we do, in the power of connection, inclusion, and opportunity.

A donation of just £20 could fund a Get Active session of Showdown for Dan and nine others, offering not only fun and exercise but also vital opportunities for socialisation and wellbeing.