Empowering Moments: Obama the Pony and PAMIS Children Create Joy at David Livingstone Centre

Reading Time 1 minute
Date 24 May 2024
Obama

We were delighted to welcome Obama "The Pony" and Simon to the David Livingstone Centre, along with Lesley from PAMIS, an organization in Scotland that supports children and adults with multiple learning disabilities and their families.

On a beautiful day, Obama "The Pony" and his handler Simon, with Lesley from PAMIS, created unforgettable moments for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Seven children, accompanied by their families, gathered for a day filled with laughter, discovery, and new experiences. The children interacted with Obama, exploring the museum's open spaces and participating in sensory activities that provided a refreshing break from their usual routines.

Logan, a 7-year-old with visual impairments, shared his excitement, saying, "I loved petting Obama! It was so much fun." Molly, who thoroughly enjoyed the Hippo Trail, exclaimed, "Walking through the Hippo Trail was amazing, and I loved looking at the stars and constellations in the museum!" Layla also expressed her joy, stating, "The pony ride was the best! I had so much fun in the garden, especially at the music stations."

The families expressed immense gratitude for the warm and supportive welcome they received at the David Livingstone Centre. They were particularly appreciative of the availability of a changing room, a facility not commonly found at many venues, which made their trip even more enjoyable.

A special thanks to photographer @lababa_naqvi for capturing these fantastic moments. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the PAMIS children for sharing their experiences and to Lesley from PAMIS for her invaluable expertise.

We look forward to more such joyful gatherings in the future!

Obama

Also, see more postings in the David Livingstone Birthplace Project Blog.

Obama The Pony 2 R1
Obama The Pony 3 R2



We are very grateful to our key funders the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government for their support in helping us deliver the Birthplace Project.

National Lottery Heritage Fund
Scottish Government
Historic Environment Scotland
Note: Please note that David Livingstone Birthplace (and the David Livingstone Trust) is no longer part of National Trust Scotland (NTS). NTS members will therefore no longer receive discounted/free entry to the Birthplace Museum.

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