We transform challenges into opportunities for growth.
In an exclusive interview with Biz Tech Outlook, Janet Willicott, the visionary founder of Normal Like Me, shares her journey of transforming societal perceptions of normalcy. Through innovative advocacy and personalized solutions, her organization champions inclusivity, justice, and the celebration of individuality, reshaping systems to empower diverse communities.
What inspired the name “Normal Like Me,” and how does it align with your mission?
The name “Normal Like Me” was inspired by a profound statement made by my son during a pivotal moment in his life. As a young person holding the UK accountable for failing to recognize his disability and educational needs, he declared: “I just want people to see me as normal, mommy, because I am normal like me, and everybody is normal like themselves; why can’t some people understand this? All children just want to be happy, like me.”
This heartfelt sentiment reflects the essence of our mission: to challenge societal definitions of “normal” and advocate for the recognition of every individual’s unique identity and worth. At Normal Like Me, we reject the notion of a singular path for education, health, or societal expectations. Instead, we emphasize that being “normal” means embracing individuality and respecting the dignity of all people.
Our organization stands for justice and equality, using the Rule of Law and health principles to create strategies that ensure human rights and tailored education for all children, young people, and adults. By amplifying voices often ignored and holding authorities accountable, we aim to transform systems that force conformity and celebrate the diversity that makes each person remarkable.
“Normal Like Me” encapsulates the belief that humanity’s strength lies in its diversity, and everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive as their authentic selves.
How does your organization aim to reshape societal perceptions of normalcy?
We strive to transform the conventional understanding of “normal” by fostering inclusivity, empathy, and a deep appreciation for individuality. We focus on listening to understand rather than respond, applying trauma-informed practices and evidence-based methodologies like forensic analysis and epigenetics to address the root causes of behaviour. By exploring family histories and environmental influences, we aim to uncover unmet needs and create pathways for individuals to thrive when their environments are adapted to support them.
We challenge society’s ingrained perceptions by emphasizing that “normal” is subjective and culturally constructed. Through collaborative efforts with individuals, organizations, and government bodies, we encourage shifts in perspective that lead to significant, positive change. Our key focus areas include:
Health and Social Equity: Promoting health protection, advocating for marginalized groups, and addressing health injustices through comprehensive analyses.
Cultural Diversity and Intersectionality: Celebrating diverse cultural identities and addressing overlapping forms of discrimination to redefine “normal” as inclusive and multi-dimensional.
Socioeconomic Equality: Advocating for equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and housing to broaden definitions of success and opportunity.
Family and Gender Inclusivity: Redefining family structures and supporting diverse gender identities to challenge traditional norms.
We also champion the recognition of Twice-Exceptional (2e) / DME (Double Multiple Exceptional) individuals—gifted children with learning or developmental challenges—ensuring schools and institutions globally adopt inclusive practices that support their unique potential.
Through these efforts, NLM aspires to build empathetic, diverse communities where differences are celebrated and humanity’s uniqueness is embraced.
What are the key services or products that you offer?
At Normal Like Me, we deliver bespoke, high-quality Health Representation and Advocacy services tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our expertise spans a wide range of areas, including:
- Complex Public Health and Rare Diseases: Providing specialized advocacy for individuals navigating rare or complex health conditions.
- Mental Health Support: Offering representation and assistance for mental health-related challenges.
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): Supporting families and individuals with special education needs, including Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), SEND tribunals, and appeals.
- DME (Dual or Multiple Exceptionalities): Advocating for children who are gifted yet face learning or developmental challenges.
- Child Protection and Advocacy: Representing children in need and ensuring their rights are upheld.
- Mediation and Dispute Resolution: Providing advocacy for mediation and alternative dispute resolution processes, with a focus on addressing inaccuracies in health and social care reports.
Our services are designed to empower individuals and families by ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected, creating pathways for equitable and just outcomes.
Do you utilize any innovative strategies or tools to enhance your services?
We leverage a range of innovative strategies and tools to enhance our services and address the complex issues faced by our clients. Our approach is rooted in a commitment to personalization, community engagement, and a forward-thinking use of technology and human-centred practices:
- Personalized Communication: Every client interaction is tailored to their unique circumstances, ensuring we understand and meet their specific needs.
- Community Building: We foster a supportive network around our brand, creating spaces for shared learning, mutual support, and advocacy.
- Predictive Analytics: Advanced analytics allow us to anticipate client needs and proactively address emerging challenges.
- Omnichannel Support: By offering assistance across multiple platforms, we ensure accessibility and convenience for all clients.
- Forensic Analysis and Research: We utilize forensic analysis to uncover systemic issues and research judicial redress to drive global, holistic change.
Additionally, our innovative framework focuses on addressing systemic barriers to accountability and justice:
- Out-of-Hours Support: Recognizing that health and advocacy needs don’t adhere to a 9-to-5 schedule, we provide flexible support options.
- Addressing Time and Language Barriers: We actively work to align time and language comprehensively, bridging gaps that lead to complacency or negligence.
- Understanding Human Behaviour: By analyzing behavioural patterns, we identify root causes of negligence and advocate for systemic accountability reforms.
Our goal is to create sustainable, inclusive solutions by realigning incentives, promoting transparency, and fostering a culture of accountability and empathy. Through these efforts, we aim to reshape the systems that impact health, education, and human rights, ensuring justice and dignity for all.
How do you transform challenges into opportunities for growth?
We transform challenges into opportunities for growth by continuously evolving to meet complex and underserved needs. Starting as a health and education advocacy organization, we have expanded our services to support all courts, with a particular focus on family courts. This includes providing forensic analysis for individuals wrongfully accused of harming their children due to erroneous or inaccurate health and social care records.
Additionally, we have developed Gene (Phenotypic) guides tailored for individuals with rare diseases, ensuring their health and education needs are adequately addressed. By adopting a holistic approach, we prioritize Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes to foster constructive and collaborative outcomes.
Our ability to identify systemic gaps and provide niche, innovative solutions has enabled us to turn adversity into a driving force for positive change, empowering individuals and advocating for justice across multiple domains.
What message would you like to share with readers about Normal Like Me?
We believe justice goes beyond the confines of law—it’s about creating a better present to shape a brighter future. While the past cannot be changed, the energy spent dwelling on it can be redirected to empower others and foster growth. By changing environments and addressing attachment styles, individuals can truly thrive. We encourage fighting challenges with determined calmness and embracing alternative paths to success. It’s okay to say no and explore new approaches. Through our work, we aim to inspire resilience, advocate for justice, and empower individuals to transform obstacles into opportunities for meaningful change.
Could you tell us more about the leadership behind Normal Like Me?
Janet Willicott, the driving force behind Normal Like Me, is a fearless advocate for reform in health, social care, and education. She challenges conventional systems, exposing malpractice and holding negligent parties accountable to safeguard her clients’ interests. Janet’s leadership is rooted in the principle that health—beyond the absence of disease—is essential for a thriving society. Committed to justice, she dismantles systemic fallacies and ensures fairness, embodying the ethos of “first, do no harm.”
“We foster a supportive network around our brand, creating spaces for shared learning, mutual support, and advocacy.”
“Normal Like Me” encapsulates the belief that humanity’s strength lies in its diversity, and everyone deserves the opportunity.
“We encourage fighting challenges with determined calmness and embracing alternative paths to success.”
Company Name : Normal Like Me
Website : https://normal-like-me.com/
Management Team
Janet Willicott | Advocate
