Since she was a child, Mary Anderson has been taunted for her disability.

She was called “spastic” and “mongo” by her peers - cruel jibes that she still remembers now, at the age of 58.

However thanks to a Govan charity, the Anniesland woman has managed to turn these negative experiences into positive ones, working with the NHS on how they can make sure their services are accessible to people with learning difficulties.

She said: “ People have been making a fool of me all my life, calling me things. Secondary school weans in particular, I’ve been getting it all my life since I was only a wee girl. Calling me a ‘mongo’ and ‘spastic’.

“I’ve been working to try and stop people from making fun of people with a learning disability.

“I’ve been going to a lot of meetings and chairing meetings to help making things more accessible.”

She is one of dozens of people with both mental and physical disabilities who are being helped by the Mainstay Trust to fulfill their ambitions and rebuild their confidence.

And tomorrow, the charity is to hold a celebration event to pay tribute to the achievements they have all made.

Among them will be Steven Cairney, a recent Special Olympics double medallist and football referee; Yvonne McDowall, a retail assistant; James Hughes, an amateur pilot and Alex Waddle, who became a cameraman despite being 100% blind.

Alex has worked with hospital radio stations to present his own show, performed at the Grand Ole Opry to standing ovation and also plays football as part of a blind squad.

The 49-year-old from Pollok started having problems with his vision as a teenager, and was eventually diagnosed with Retinitis pigmentosa - an incurable condition affecting the back of the eye.

He developed severe tunnel vision, with his sight reducing to around 12 per cent, before he lost it completely around eight years ago.

Alex said: “I never thought I’d be able to do any of this. I would never have thought someone who is blind would be able to use a camera but I did it.

“I went out with a film crew, round about Glasgow. We went into the town, we captured great shots and I was shown the basics of how to work the camera. At first I found it hard but I went a couple of times and I got the hang of it.

“I got a certificate in college for photography and music years ago but that’s before I went blind.

“I’ve been homeless and in hostels, had a broken marriage and it left me a bit down so I try to keep smiling when I come here.

“Mainstay has helped me so much.”

James Hughes, from Cowcaddens, is the oldest member of the group and had always dreamed of becoming a pilot.

The 68-year-old hasn’t let his learning difficulties get in the way and visited Glasgow airport earlier this year to get in the cockpit with a fully-trained pilot.

He learned about the controls in the craft and how it works, and will be visiting Prestwick airport in November.

Steven Cairney, 36, from the East End, has recently returned from the Special Olympics, winning two silver medals for bowls.

A sporting superfan, Steven has been working as a referee at walking football games - something which he plans to continue.

Finally Yvonne McDowall, 35, from the East End, has always had an eye for fashion and has been helping out in a charity shop by preparing clothes for sale.

She is also hoping to work in a cafe.

Andrea Savage, the Mainstay Employment and Activities Coordinator is one of the driving forces behind the group, setting up placements to help members succeed.

She said: “The whole aim of what we do is positive outcomes. We want to give people the confidence to go and do things, and it’s important to give them the chance to do activities which they are interested in.

“We have an individual focus and make sure we work with everyone on what they would like to do.

“ I am so, so, proud of what everyone has achieved.

“It is really important to recognise success, which is why we’re holding our celebration event. Our members have come so far and some have achieved life-long goals.”

The event tomorrow will be held at the Go Glasgow Urban Hotel, attended by hundreds of charity members, staff, and organisations who have worked with Mainstay.