My experience included…
…learning a life-lesson from a charismatic published author who uses a powerchair and whose PA interprets his speech for people who don’t know him.
…an interesting, challenging chat with another parent, sitting in the hot sunshine(!) in the courtyard of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham before the event.
…listening to harrowing stories of acquired disabilities told matter-of-factly, because we all have to get on with our lives, rather than dwelling on the unfairness of it all.
…being in awe of a person with a visual impairment who is an achiever and totally in control of his own life.
…agreeing with many that rights are the basis for constructive change in the system – specifically the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Legal Capacity Bill and the Children’s Rights referendum.
…coming face-to-face with an incredibly broad range of people with disabilities and their advocates, taking me out of my own narrowly-focused life.
…enjoying the brevity of the introductory speeches and the care and attention given to people who had specific dietary requests at lunchtime.
… the relief at having the opportunity to freely voice opinions and relate experiences of the “system” and…
…the sincere hope that those opinions and experiences will be carefully considered by the NDA and Minister Kathleen Lynch.
And what was that life lesson I learnt?
“It is important that people let me do things that are bad for me.”
Isn’t that one of the things that defines us as adults? Free will.
Only this is not the case for all people with disabilities right now.
Have your say here before June 30th 2012.
