Leanne Yeo, one of the people Active Prospects supports, has been shortlisted in the 2022 Dimensions Learning Disability and Autism Leaders List Award, Sports, Arts and Entertainment category! The leaders list is an annual award list, featuring a range of inspiring stories of individuals with autism or learning disabilities, who are striving to make their, and others lives, better.
Leanne has been supported by Active Prospects for almost 10 years, living in a supported living service alongside four other women. She has a learning disability, which makes learning new skills challenging, including reading and writing. However, she has never been one to allow her disability to define her, stating ‘I know I can achieve the things that I want to’.
Leanne is an avid cyclist, having completed and won medals in the Special Olympics, most recently winning Gold and Bronze at the event in Bradford earlier in 2022. These were for the 3km road race and 1km time trial respectively. She has further added to this medal tally in previous years, winning Silver and Bronze in Sheffield, 2017, Bronze in Stirling, 2018 and Bronze in Manchester, 2019. ‘Before we started our race, we all said the Special Olympics motto, which I find very inspiring: ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt.’
Alongside cycling, Leanne plays an active part in helping others. She is a Trustee of the Pro-Active Community, a group of which she has been part of since its founding. She is a paid expert-by-experience, providing quality checks of services for others living with learning disabilities, as well as being part of interview panels for Surrey County Council. Earlier this year, Leanne also became a peer health champion, meaning she is able to support others with learning disabilities to be more aware of their health and wellbeing. She co-designed the programme with colleagues from Active Prospects and Surrey County Council.
Most recently, Leanne was part of a small group of individuals who took on the huge challenge of scaling Mount Snowdon.
Leanne is highly regarded within Active Prospects and by her peers. Leanne is rightfully proud of the achievements throughout the last year. She has also made her family and friends proud of her achievements, showing that no matter the disability, you can achieve great things and inspire others! We are keeping everything crossed for the Dimensions winner announcements in November!
