This edition of CRUcial Times focuses on the theme of "Courage"
This edition contains the following articles:
Editorial
Margaret Rodgers
From the president
Matt Stone
When courage is not optional
Bob Lee has been involved in providing services for people with disability since 1978 and has been actively involved in the promotion and training of Social Role Valorisation since 1986. In 1996, Bob was employed as the founding co-ordinator of the Sunshine Coast Citizen Advocacy Program and continues to work in that role. In this article Bob explores some seldom heard stories of courage. Courage which might not sell newspapers, but which does challenge, protect and seek justice for vulnerable people with disability.
Enduring Love
Mike Duggan is a well known contributor to the disability movement in Queensland and has had a significant involvement in a number of community-based, not-for-profit organizations. He was a long-term President of CRU and remains on the CRU committee, as well as maintaining significant roles in other organisations.
In this article, Mike canvasses the diverse expressions of what we call courage, calls into question a number of popular notions of courage and asks us to consider what drives those acts we call courage.
Getting out of the way
Frank Crupi is part of a group including people with disabilities, families and staff who are working together to transform a traditional group model day program into one that supports individuals one person at a time to achieve lifestyles which they value, direct and which reflects who they are.
In this article Frank discusses some of the key elements that stimulated the changes and some key points of focus that keep the movement towards transition alive at Milparinka Disability Services.
Courage & Disability & Politics
Sue Boyce is a former journalist and company director. She has three adult children and one extremely gorgeous grandchild. Her younger daughter, Joanna, is 27 and has Down syndrome.
Sue has been a Queensland senator since April 2007. In this article Sue reflects on courage in politics and her attempts to influence policy and debate on disability. Her contribution prompts us to consider how we can be more effective in seeking change for people with disability – whether in our own local communities or on the political stage.
Finding Courage
Ann O'Brien is a teacher and a mother of 3 boys, the eldest is 13 and has a disability. In this article she draws on her lived experience of needing courage many times during her son’s life. She shares with us stories of some of those occasions that have required courage, identifying what has been helpful and detrimental in her desire to achieve a great life for her son.