Cam-Can (on Radio National 360 stories 21st May 2011) http://www.abc.net.au/rn/360/stories/2011/3218156.htm
(Audio available at this site)
This is a story of Cameron, whose family created a ‘microboard’ to enable him to pursue a business of his own, even though he cannot communicate.
Cameron is too severely disabled for supported employment but his parents want more for him than a sheltered workshop now that he’s finished school. At 19 years old his future poses a dilemma. Where will he go? What will he do? With his parents working, who’ll look after him? It’s a difficult decision for all parents of a child with a disability but one for which Cameron’s family has found an
inspirational solution.
All his life, people have implied Cameron was a burden and professional opinion was that his life would be limited at best. But Anthea, Andrew and stepfather Marc were determined to make his life as full, as independent, as meaningful and as much like a typical teenager’s as possible.
With the end of Cameron’s school life looming, his parents brought extended family and friends together in a unique arrangement called a Microboard. The aim is to involve Cam’s loved ones, especially those his own age, in sharing decisions about his life and to create a life-long support network for the inevitable time when his parents are no longer around. The result is a life for Cam that his parents
barely dared to dream of and that many thought impossible.
Check out this site for information about Microboards. …
“Vela Microboards Australia” http://www.microboard.org.au/
It is a small (micro) group of committed family and friends (board) who join with a person who has life challenges to create a non-profit community board. The Microboard supports the person to plan for a good life and to achieve their goals, dreams and wishes.
Each Microboard supports one person. The person is the centre of their Microboard, and every decision reflects the person’s goals, dreams, needs and desires (ie uses person-centred thinking). The Microboard also helps the wider community to have a relationship with the person, and to benefit from their contribution.
Membership of a Microboard is voluntary and focuses on the wellbeing, wishes and dreams of the person by supporting their relationships with family, friends and community. In addition, Microboards may manage some funding, so may pay for and manage individualised supports and services for a person who needs them.
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