We believe that there is always a way to support a human being
In an exclusive conversation with The CEO Viewpoint, Janet Willicott, Founder of Normal Like Me, shares the inspiration behind her advocacy, the challenges she has fought to overcome, and her mission to reshape health, education, and legal support systems. With a firm belief that “every individual is normal in their own way,” Janet discusses how her organization is championing the rights of those often overlooked by society. Read on to discover how Normal Like Me is driving change and ensuring no one is left behind.
What inspired you to establish “Normal Like Me”?
“Normal Like Me” was born from a profound statement made by Janet’s son: “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” (BJAW, 2016). His words encapsulate the fundamental belief that every individual is unique, yet equally valuable and deserving of recognition.
The term “normal” is often misinterpreted, particularly in medical and societal contexts, where it is used to define a standard or an expected way of being. However, when it comes to human identity, there is no single definition of normal—each person is distinct, with the shared reality of being human.
“Normal Like Me” was founded to challenge misconceptions and advocate for individuals who face systemic barriers in healthcare and education. Across the world, countless individuals are denied the support they need due to systemic failures and a lack of inclusive global understanding. Parents and individuals with lived experiences hold invaluable insights that could greatly enhance professional practices, yet they are frequently overlooked or dismissed.
NLM serves as a voice for these individuals, ensuring they are heard, valued, and supported. The organization’s core mission is to advocate for proper healthcare, inclusive education, and a society where professionals adhere to the principle of First, Do No Harm. Through collaboration, awareness, and policy change, “Normal Like Me” strives to create a world where everyone is recognized for their individuality and treated with the dignity they deserve.
How do you support clients in mediation and alternative dispute resolution scenarios?
At Normal Like Me (NLM), we are dedicated to advocating for individuals who require tailored health, education, and legal support. Our approach is rooted in the principle of First, Do No Harm—ensuring that every person receives the dignity, respect, and support they need to thrive. We believe that there is always a way to support a human being—it is simply a matter of finding the right approach.
NLM applies The Rule of Law, Health Principles, and Early Intervention Strategies to ensure that all individuals have access to their fundamental Human Rights, including the Right to Education and Right to Healthcare that meet their unique needs. We do not dismiss concerns; instead, we actively listen, validate, and tailor our services based on the specific needs of each individual. Advocacy is not a one-size-fits-all process, and we adapt our methods to best represent and support each person’s situation.
Our Services Include:
- Health & Education Advocacy – Providing customized genetic phenotype guides for Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) to ensure individuals receive the support suited to their specific needs.
- Legal Representation – Advocating in Educational, Health, and Disability Discrimination cases, particularly for marginalized individuals, those with twice-exceptionality (DME/2e), and ethnic minorities.
- Holistic Educational Support – Seeking individualized learning environments where children can learn in a way that aligns with their cognitive and developmental needs rather than conforming to societal expectations.
- Rare Disease & Complex Health Advocacy – Assisting individuals and families navigating rare diseases or complex medical conditions by constructing forensic reports to support Family Court Medical Harm cases.
- Child Protection & Family Court Advocacy – Supporting individuals and families who have been abused, neglected, or unjustly accused of harming their children, ensuring they receive fair representation.
At NLM, we are friendly professionals—not professional friends. Our role is to provide a safe, understanding space where individuals and families feel heard, supported, and empowered to achieve the care and education they rightfully deserve.
“Normal Like Me is dedicated to advocating for individuals who require tailored health, education, and legal support.”
How do you foresee the future of health and educational advocacy evolving, and what role will “Normal Like Me” play in that evolution?
The Future of Health and Educational Advocacy: NLM’s Role in Shaping Change
The future of health and educational advocacy is rapidly evolving as societies, cultures, and scientific advancements reshape the way support services are delivered. With the merging of global knowledge and technological progress, it is imperative to integrate science and law holistically for the betterment of individuals and communities. Outdated educational and healthcare models must adapt to modern advancements, ensuring that emerging scientific research is reflected in medical, legal, and educational frameworks.
At Normal Like Me (NLM), we foresee a future where global advocacy is scaled up, ensuring that health and education are recognized as fundamental human rights, irrespective of geographic location or socioeconomic status. A person’s access to healthcare or education should not vary based on where they live—equitable, high-quality provision must become a universal standard.
NLM is already playing an active role in this evolution by:
- Integrating emerging science and technology into advocacy practices.
- Adopting forensic analysis techniques to uncover health injustices and medical negligence.
- Utilizing AI-driven solutions to enhance case analysis, support decision-making, and promote proactive care.
- Advocating for preventative healthcare models that focus on early intervention rather than reactive crisis management.
- Bridging gaps between individuals and institutions, ensuring that those who have been neglected or failed by the system receive the support they deserve.
We reject the “us versus them” mentality, instead fostering collaborative and trusting relationships between clients and professionals. Many individuals who come to us have previously been dismissed or neglected—our mission is to demonstrate what proactive, person-centered advocacy truly looks like.
As the future unfolds, NLM will continue to lead by example, driving systemic change and ensuring that health and education advocacy is inclusive, equitable, and forward-thinking.
“We reject the “us versus them” mentality”
Can you share success stories or case studies that highlight the impact of your advocacy?
At Normal Like Me (NLM), we have directly transformed the lives of individuals and families facing systemic failures in healthcare, education, and legal advocacy. Through forensic analysis, evidence-based advocacy, and a commitment to justice, we have successfully challenged unjust accusations, ensured access to proper healthcare and education, and influenced policy change. Below are some key case studies that demonstrate the impact of our work.
Case Study: Family A vs Sectors
Family A was wrongfully accused of harming their children by multiple professionals across police, healthcare, social work, education, and judiciary sectors. This accusation led to a potential removal of their children. However, NLM applied forensic analysis to trace the origins of systemic failures in health and education dating back three decades. The real evidence—pointing to a Rare Disease—was ignored, while a fabricated narrative snowballed into a widely accepted fallacy.
The family was accused of Fabricated Induced Illness (FII), formerly known as Munchausen by Proxy (MbP), solely based on the unchallenged viewpoint of one professional. After 20 years of legal battles, lost education, and denied healthcare, the truth finally prevailed—the children remained with their family. NLM is now supporting the family’s submission to Civil Court for damages. This case led to the formation of The Justice Initiative CIC, which fights for others facing similar injustices.
Case Study: BW vs UK
A child with dual exceptionalities (DME/2e) and a rare disease required a suitable educational environment. NLM successfully advocated for local government policy changes, ensuring children with rare diseases who are both learning disabled and intellectually gifted receive appropriate educational support.
Case Study: M & M
This case set a legal precedent regarding the importance of a child’s voice in educational decisions. Despite an express requirement to consider a child’s wishes, authorities initially failed to do so. NLM successfully argued in court that a child’s views, wishes, and feelings must be considered, paving the way for alternative educational environments tailored to individual learning needs.
Other Key Successes:
- Educational Court Adoptions: Successfully incorporated phenotype-based guides into Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), ensuring a more scientific and personalized approach to special educational needs.
- Challenging Systemic Failures: Advocating for health and education reforms to prevent the kind of confirmation bias and unjust accusations that have harmed many families.
Through these successes, NLM continues to fight for those marginalized, misrepresented, and denied their basic rights—ensuring justice, access, and dignity for all.
How do you plan to expand or adapt your services to meet emerging needs in the sectors you operate within?
At Normal Like Me (NLM), we continuously evolve to address the shifting landscape of health, education, and legal advocacy. We challenge outdated narratives by rejecting terms like “disordered”—recognizing that every human is born uniquely. Our approach is rooted in authenticity, science, and lived experience, ensuring that advocacy is personalized and impactful.
To enhance our service delivery, we are gradually integrating AI into our processes to improve efficiency and analysis. However, true advocacy requires deep knowledge, skill, and an understanding of lived experiences, which technology alone cannot replace. We are also expanding into DME (2e) conferences and specialized educational support, focusing on neurodivergent and twice-exceptional individuals who are often overlooked in traditional systems.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved that education and healthcare models can and must evolve. It reinforced the idea that children want to be educated but require alternative, modernized learning methods beyond rigid, outdated school systems. NLM is committed to advocating for flexible education models that cater to individual learning styles rather than forcing conformity.
As a trailblazer, Janet challenges the status quo, applying both science and common sense to drive meaningful change. NLM has increasingly adopted forensic scientific analysis—particularly in Family Court cases—to counter systemic neglect and wrongful accusations against families.
By focusing on evidence over hearsay, NLM ensures that legal and healthcare decisions are based on fact rather than outdated probability models, reinforcing fair and just outcomes for all.
Please share us the story about the mastermind behind “Normal Like Me”.
Normal Like Me (NLM) was founded by Janet, a relentless advocate for justice, equality, and systemic reform in health, education, and legal representation. Her mission is to challenge the outdated notion of a “typical” human being and empower society to embrace individuality. Janet believes that every person is normal as they are born and that everyone deserves equal access to judicial, educational, and healthcare redress.
Her journey began with her own son’s battle against systemic failure. He was born with a double rare disease, a condition so unique that he remains one of only two known individuals in the world with this diagnosis. His complex medical and learning needs were dismissed by professionals who failed in their duty of care. Rather than receiving the support he deserved, he and his family faced neglect, systemic bias, and institutional failures.
Determined to fight for her son’s rights, Janet sought international judicial intervention. She successfully secured justice, proving that health and education should not be dictated by bureaucracy but by individual needs and scientific fact. This victory became the catalyst for Normal Like Me, an organization dedicated to ensuring that others do not have to endure the same battles alone.
Janet’s work continues to inspire and drive change, advocating for marginalized individuals, exposing institutional failures, and demanding accountability from those in positions of power. Through Normal Like Me, she is committed to reshaping the conversation around health, education, and justice—one case at a time.
“We are gradually integrating AI into our processes to improve efficiency and analysis.”
Company Name : Normal Like Me
Website: https://normal-like-me.com/
Management Team
Janet Willicott | Founder
