My Life Story
Hi my name is Pauline Verona Geipel. Before I got married my maiden name was Tomlinson. I suffer with Epilepsy and I have been an epileptic for 43 years. I have a learning disability. I used live in south London with my parents and two sisters. When living in south London Christmas and the New Year was the most enjoyable time of the year. At Christmas time I was always the DJ for my family on those days I would play many different types of records from 9 o’ clock in the evening until the early hour of the morning. Some people would ask me to record some of the records for them and then I would tell them it will cost them £10.00, because Electricity and money does not grow on trees. Another thing I love doing is buying at list six CD’s at a time, but now I have calmed down and I only buy one or two. I Iove going shopping buying clothes and earrings so that means….do not take me in a jewellery shop or a CD shop because you will never get me out. Another thing I like doing is going to the gym once or twice a week.
I used to go to a college called the City Lit. I did a computer course and music lessons. I found out that they had a band called the ‘Special Jam.’ I was in that band for 11 years. I loved singing and writing my own music and I have made my own video out of it.
In 1994 I came to North London to live with an Association called HAIL. HAIL is a service for people with learning disabilities.
HAIL means Haringey Association for Independent Living. I have been with HAIL for 18 years now. In 1997 I met the love of my life, his name is Peter. He proposed to me 1 year later in 1998 and 5 years later in 2003 on the 28.06.03 we got married. It was a wonderful wedding day and one of the hottest days of the year. We have just had an anniversary party to mark 5 years.
In 2005 I met Lolita Jones, I found out that she has a learning difficulty like myself. We both started talking and telling each other about ourselves. That is when we decided to start up an association for people with learning difficulties and we both decided to call it Stars in the Sky, with some help. This is what Stars in the Sky is a about, it is a friendship and dating agency which helps people with learning disabilities enjoy themselves like everyone else. When Stars in the Sky started there were 3 of us,
Lolita Jones myself and Lydia Jones who is our secretary. Lolita and myself are the two Directors of this agency.
We now have an events and date co-ordinator who’s name is Syreeta she helps us organise at our events every month. Each month when we organise these events, Syreeta help’s us decide which event is the right event for that month. Another thing we organise is dates and speed dating which helps people to find new friends. Some events are in the afternoon and some are in the evening. People with learning disabilities are allowed to join but people with no disabilities are not able to join.
They have to be 18 or over to join. Before they join they have to fill out an application form telling us about themselves and then they will have to send their application back. There are two membership fees, £6.00 for friendship and £10.00 for friendship and dating. We will then send them their events list each month and they can choose to go to any of those events.
We have almost 300 members in London. Now we have setup up Stars in the Sky branch in Birmingham- I have been told that they have 100 members. There is also Essex, Isle of Wight, Leeds and Bristol.
We have 7 couples who are engaged and we hope we will have a wedding next year. It shows that people with learning disabilities can enjoy themselves like everyone else.
By Pauline Geipel.
The Directors: Lolita Jones & Pauline Geipel
Company Secretary: Lydia Jones