John Dommett tells his own story of how as a successful young man he contracted a debilitating illness that had life defining implications. John will identify how his involvement with the formal service system resulted in him rapidly becoming powerless in his own life, and outlines his struggles to reclaim control and power over his own life. He will lead the audience through his own story which saw him enter the disability service system. He will explain how a diagnosis of Epilepsy and a misdiagnosis of Intellectual Disability resulted very
quickly in a loss of his Social Roles, his Dreams, an assumption of incompetence, and rapid devalued status. As a client of a sheltered workshop and earning $20 for a fortnights work John will discuss how he fought to save his own life from radical medical intervention, and how through selfbelief with support he made the gradual journey to re-claim his life.
John's personal resilience meant that he was able to change the system that had captured him, eventually forming a service that would find him open employment. John has not only returned to work in the sector, grew to become a senior manager, and has truly moved from being a powerless service recipient to being in a position of power and authority. His story of coping and resilience will inspire the audience.
Recorded: July 2010 Brisbane, Australia
Coping Resilience & Hope Building, Asia Pacific Regional Conference
Organiser: The Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice
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