Helen Margaret Downey (neè Selfe) : curriculum vitae

Abstract

Helen Downney, born 29th May 1946 in Oxford, UK, qualified as veterinarian at Onderstepoort in 1967. During the period, May 1973 – May 1977 she worked on the rehabilitation of our son, Aidan, who has a rare genetic syndrome. She and her husband moved to the UK during this time and as a result of the progress with their son's rehabilitation, changed the direction of their professional lives. From May 1977 – July 1979 she worked at the Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, first as a parent of a disabled child and then as a staff member. Later she also worked for St Briavels Centre for Child Development, and for Brain Solutions. She completed many courses in relation to childhood neurodevelopmental therapy and did wonderful work with children in many countries.