When my only son Mitchell was diagnosed with autism I
was devastated, but he has since changed my life.
I became a full time carer in 2000 because I could no longer
cope with working and caring, then in 2005 I was very fortunate to
be asked to take part in a person centred transition review, which
was a first for any child with a statement of special educational
needs. Until then I had always believed that I would have to
care for Mitchell all my life and I was prepared for this role.
During the review we discovered person centred planning, direct
payments and then personal budgets. Mitchell now has two
personal assistants supporting him, and it has meant that I can
have a life of my own.
In 2008 I was chosen to do a family leadership training course
called Partners in Policymaking. I graduated from the course
in March 2009 and then in May 2009 Lynne Elwell wrote to graduates
in London asking if we could support a family carer in
Lambeth. I like helping people and thought it would be a good
idea to offer support through either a telephone call or an
email. With this in mind I set up a Carers Friendship Map in
Barking and Dagenham, where I live. We live in wards, so it was
important to know where our family carers were and if they needed
support. I also wanted to ensure that the group remained
independent, as many groups have started with family carers and
ended up being run by professionals. I am fiercely protective of
our independence.
When I speak to family carers about what we are trying to
achieve they are, rightly so, very proud of our aims and
objectives. We aim to have enough funds to support Partners
in Policymaking; provide a rapid respond service to family carers
in the case of emergency and provide funding for learning
disability projects. These three goals keep me going,
but I believe it is a good cause.
In April 2010 when I was speaking to a family carer I had the
idea of doing a calendar featuring family carers who have gone on
to do amazing things in the community. I was also very
fortunate when Lynne Elwell gave me a list of family carers
graduates of Partners in Policymaking which we featured in the 2011
Calendar. We already have lots of ideas for the 2012 Calendar which
is going to be about 'Partners and Local Heroes', including
featuring our children and having personally relevant organisations
involved.
I am incredibly ambitious and I hope to raise and promote
learning disability awareness if and when I publish my first novel
which is near completion. So watch this space!
Last Updated : 20 January 2011. Page Author: Paul Ferguson.
