Britain is better than its reputation. And its bad reputation plays into the hands of divisive nationalists. So, to repeat. Britain is better than its reputation. Complacency is bad. So is catstrophism.

What a lovely review of my book. bjgplife.com/beautiful-li...

Emma.

I hope in a darkening world this helps spread some light. ❤️

FOX news host suggests we euthanize the homeless, someone goes into two encampments and starts shooting. 13 people shot and Jacob Frey and the media are just talking about it as the new best reason to clear the encampments

Phil Williams sharing some data…

I hope in a darkening world this helps spread some light. ❤️

I’m “teching” Ryan Craig’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s EMMA at the Theatre Royal Bath this week, and looking through my CV (for another reason entirely) I realise to my horror that this is my 100th professional theatre or opera production. And I still feel like a beginner.

This is exactly the kind of despicable scaremongering that Aseem Malhotra has made his modus operandi. Insinuations, hearsay, anti-vaxx, non-evidence-based, lurid, self-enriching, anti-scientific claptrap. Of course Reform UK lapped it up. 1/4

So glad this video of Graham Linehan allegedly assaulting a 17 year-old is finally public.

Proud to write for @bylinetimes.bsky.social

32 five star comments on Amazon!

Given that, as ever, there are plenty of examples of the virtuous using ableist slurs to critique the unvirtuous, now might be a good time to encourage people to read Beautiful Lives by @stephenunwin.bsky.social www.waterstones.com/book/beautif...

I’ve just finished Beautiful Lives by @stephenunwin.bsky.social It is a phenomenal book It takes in the history of people with learning disabilities, the author’s own experience as a parent, and present provision It is by turns horrifying and inspiring Highest possible recommendation

“It is upon us to begin the work. It is not upon us to complete it.” The Talmud.

Lucy Connolly: 1. Committed an offence under legislation brought in by the Thatcher government 2. Pleaded guilty 3. Was sentenced according to guidelines set out by the Johnson government 4. Freedom of speech doesn't extend to incitement to violence 5. 1A to the US Constitution says exactly the same

Joey’s 29 today!

I love these quotations.

So many remarkable refugees from Nazi Germany became great champions of autistic people or people with learning disabilities. RIP Dame Steve Shirley.

Really ALL children should have EHCPs. Radical, I know, but it would be the best way of ensuring that provision is by need not by diagnosis. All our children matter.

I love this picture of Joey and me. It's on the inside cover of 'Beautiful Lives' and says more than all the tens of thousands of words I wrote.

You’ve got to listen to super Stephen Unwin, he’s on a mission to make people rethink how we view people with Learning Disabilities, as well as shining a light on the world's families like ours navigate. www.bornattherighttime.com/the-skies-we...

Today my parents are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. August 6th, 1955, Oxford.

What a kind and thoughtful thread…

“Unwin's marvellous, elegant, moving book is a major contribution to the history and understanding of this thing we call learning disability. It’s a powerful, multi-faceted, myth-busting account of the most marginalised and belittled group in modern society.” Simon Jarrett THOSE THEY CALLED IDIOTS

Three ND ones. Robert Chapman Empire of Normality (already recommended by @isabellefk.bsky.social and excellent) Beautiful lives @stephenunwin.bsky.social Girl Unmasked @itsemilykaty.bsky.social Read them three, and you'll be better for it. 🙏❤️

An important, intensively researched and beautifully written book ... I hope that anyone in a position to make positive change will read it and consider how we can move a little closer towards accepting that every human life is equal in value and every person has the right to be happy. Jane Asher

“With an astonishing breadth of research and a profoundly personal narrative, Stephen Unwin's book is revealing, wise, angry and hopeful. Thank you, Joey, for getting your dad off his arse to write this book. Hugh Bonneville, actor

We need more writing about our humanness, what it lies in, how it challenges us, what it requires of us. We don't think about this enough, in my view. Stephen's book on his journey with his son Joey, who has severe learning disabilities, is for everyone - exploring 'the last taboo among liberals' 👇

Stephen Unwin shares an extract from his new book exploring all he has learned on the journey so far with with his son Joey, who has severe learning disabilities

Clacton residents are wrong to think Farage has “done nothing” since becoming an MP. He’s earned some £1m from other jobs: £400,000 as a GB News presenter, £280,000 as “brand ambassador” for a gold firm, £135,000 making personalised Cameo video messages, and £4,000 a month writing for the Torygraph

Delighted to have an excerpt from my book in the new Byline Times

The etymology of 'basket cases': people living in long stay hospitals regarded as 'mentally defective' and not worth educating ('ineducable') spent their time making baskets, which were sold to make the institution self-sufficient. They were 'basket cases'.

“A landmark book”. John Harris in The Guardian

Great article by @johnharris1969.bsky.social on @stephenunwin.bsky.social book on the history of people with learning disabilities. As they say we have not left the eugenic legacy behind us and in fact the rate of institutionalisation has not really reduced www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

What a fantastic film. Bravo @zackpolanski.bsky.social

🎉We’re thrilled to announce @stephenunwin.bsky.social, author of ‘Beautiful Lives’, as a keynote speaker at the RRN Conference 2025! Don’t miss out! Join us in Liverpool or online on 13-14 November by booking your place today: restraintreductionnetwork.org/RRNConf25 #RRNConf25 #StephenUnwin

Today’s art: the play based on Sara Ryan’s book about the death of her autistic son while in NHS care, ‘Laughing Boy’, dramatised and directed by Steve Unwin, and Unwin’s book ‘Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong’. And I’d urge you to read the Guardian opinion piece, too.

Excellent article by @johnharris1969.bsky.social - and I endorse his recommendation of @stephenunwin.bsky.social's important new book Beautiful Lives

@stephenunwin.bsky.social The new tour of Perfect Show for Rachel made with Zoo Co joyously celebrates what happens when Rachel gets to direct the show that she wants to see! www.improbable.co.uk/current-proj...

I loved doing this podcast!

@johnharris1969.bsky.social writes a powerful, moving and essential review of ‘Beautiful Lives’ by @stephenunwin.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Thank you, John Harris, for championing my book. And, more importantly, championing the rights and dignities of people with learning disabilities. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

This is terrific. Bravo Prof Christina.

Me on this lovely podcast talking about my book and the issues it raises open.spotify.com/episode/2jS0...

“If the past is a foreign country where they do things differently, there is a future country where they do things differently and better.” The great Chris Goodey.

Me holding forth at @BylineFest about learning disabilities and what people with learning disabilities can teach the rest of us.

Beautiful lives.