CRU ‘Finding My Place’ Forum 2013

Presentations

People can achieve great things when they are supported to follow their passions. But what can that lead to, especially for people with disabilities, in terms of belonging to and contributing to their community and meeting like-minded people?

This was the focus of a forum run by the Community Resource Unit (CRU) in June 2013 at the Brisbane Convention Centre, where I was invited to be one of the presenters.

There were seven speakers throughout the day who focused on such topics as what it’s like having their own home, having a job, contributing to the community and following your heart.

Peter’s presentation and Q&A session:

Q&A session from the presentation alone:

Transcript of Q&A at CRU ‘Finding My Place’ Conference June 2013

From 20:04 in ‘Finding My Place’ video at https://vimeo.com/85206146
with Marcia Tibbo, co-presenter and Betty Rowe, facilitator

Marcia: We’d like to welcome now Peter’s mum Betty who’s going to be his facilitator this morning, and…Peter wants to know if you have any questions…oh, he wants to say something actually.

(Peter typing)

Betty: Can you tell them about me and dad – no, I don’t think that’s what they want to know about.

(laughter)

Peter: Can I say that I have been lucky to have good parents who have looked after me so well. But it is through other people like Marcia that I have been able to do what I do. She is the best thing after my parents that I have found. Can anyone tell me what worth to us is a good helper? Thank you for allowing me to come today. I love speaking with others and meeting new people. It is a wonderful opportunity to get my message about disability and what we can do. I have been lucky and good luck is only part of it. Hard work is the other side. Any questions please. I love answering questions.

Question: This is just an idea – You’ve had quite a lot of experience with writing the book, performing, perhaps some poetry. Have you thought of putting all this into a book? And you could add some of your art as well.Peter: Yes we want to, but goodness, it takes time and money and we are always struggling for that. But we will before mum dies. (loud laughter)Betty: Well, I’m not planning to…

Betty: Well, I’m not planning to…Marcia: We’ll have to wish longevity on her.

Marcia: We’ll have to wish longevity on her.Peter: Thank you. What do you want to ask?

Peter: Thank you. What do you want to ask?Question: For your mother – when you discovered FC, what was it like for you?

Question: For your mother – when you discovered FC, what was it like for you?Betty: Very confronting. Hard to handle for quite a long time because you have to worry – what have

Betty: Very confronting. Hard to handle for quite a long time because you have to worry – what have I done in the past that may have been the wrong for him, what has been said in front of him. Yes, I it was like finding another person in the family, and it was very hard, but wonderful.Peter: That is true because I saw mum struggling with it and it was hard on her but it was wonderful

Peter: That is true because I saw mum struggling with it and it was hard on her but it was wonderful for me.Question: I just wanted to know – what is your solo exhibition about?

Question: I just wanted to know – what is your solo exhibition about?Peter: It is ten years since I first did those drawings when I was suffering Post Traumatic Stress

Peter: It is ten years since I first did those drawings when I was suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and they have asked me to do a lot of drawings, which will be my journey from those bad days to now.Marcia: I just want to add to that: The theme of his exhibition is ‘Colour is my Voice’ and Peter is

Marcia: I just want to add to that: The theme of his exhibition is ‘Colour is my Voice’ and Peter is very, very… he’s got a real flair with colour. A lot of his works are very colourful. If anyone wants to find out any more about Peter’s story or his art, it’s all on his website … we will give out a flyer about his books that has all his contacts so you can get on his website; a lot of his art’s on there)David: What do you enjoy most – the writing or the painting?

David: What do you enjoy most – the writing or the painting?Peter: I think that writing and painting come pretty close in my life and love. Painting, however,

Peter: I think that writing and painting come pretty close in my life and love. Painting, however, gives me the relief I sometimes need after a particularly bad day or night if my nightmares return. Then I get the colours out and draw the picture in my head and it helps to clear it away again. Writing is harder because I need mum to FC and that takes her time that she does not always have and as you know, David, it is hard to get good FC users to help us.Marcia: On that note, is there anybody that’s got any questions about Facilitated Communication?

Marcia: On that note, is there anybody that’s got any questions about Facilitated Communication? Do you all know what it is?Question: (Betty) How long did it take you to learn how to facilitate? Over a number of years?

Question: (Betty) How long did it take you to learn how to facilitate? Over a number of years?Betty: Peter knew, as most of them seem to know how to spell. They, I don’t know about David, but

Betty: Peter knew, as most of them seem to know how to spell. They, I don’t know about David, but I’d imagine straight off he knew how to spell. It was us who had to be trained. I had to learn. It probably took me 12-18 months to really get a message from Peter. And I have to tell you the first message I got was “I love you mum” (tears, claps) but it’s certainly worth it.(Comment from the floor): He’s a very articulate person…

(Comment from the floor): He’s a very articulate person…Marcia: … very, very – he’s got an incredible vocabulary. Amazing.

Marcia: … very, very – he’s got an incredible vocabulary. Amazing.Betty: And they all have. David is a

Betty: And they all have. David is a marvellous writer. Most of the boys at the Brotherhood are beautiful writers.Comment from floor: My son has taught me: Never underestimate their ability.

Comment from floor: My son has taught me: Never underestimate their ability.Marcia: Absolutely… that’s why Peter says, Don’t look at the surface. He’s an incredibly brilliant,

Marcia: Absolutely… that’s why Peter says, Don’t look at the surface. He’s an incredibly brilliant, articulate, intelligent person.Betty: … and the Brotherhood goes to prove it. There’s 12 of them there who can write beautifully.

Betty: … and the Brotherhood goes to prove it. There’s 12 of them there who can write beautifully.Peter: I think it is

Peter: I think it is time we finished mum (laughter). I am hungry! (more laughter)

ENDS