Sally's story

I have been asked to write about why I am a member of QPPD. I joined the organisation in 1984. At that time I had no idea what systems advocacy was, neither did I really want to know - I was still coming to terms with all the things that were happening to my family. I suppose at that time, like many other people, I joined because I wanted something better for my daughter. I needed assistance to fight for a decent life for Sarah who had recently gone into an institution. Making the decision to put one's child in an institution is very difficult, but with no other supports available to us we had no choice.

At the beginning of my involvement with QPPD I wondered whether, because of Sarah's situation, I had anything to offer the organisation or if in fact they had anything to offer me. I soon found out - YES on both counts! I still had a dream that Sarah would one day have a decent life, and being part of QPPD helped to keep the dream alive. I also discovered that, although I learned strategies to help me in my own advocacy, real, sustainable change could only come about by lobbying the system. Change had to come from politicians, bureaucrats and other decision makers before the policies and practices controlling Sarah's life would change.

I was one of the first people to join QPPD's Accommodation& Inclusive Living Network in 1992. Through my involvement I was encouraged and supported to attend conferences, seminars, workshops etc all of which strengthened my belief that Sarah had the right to live in and be part of the community and be properly supported to do so. As a member of QPPD I had the opportunity to represent the Network on a number of occasions in talking to politicians and bureaucrats about issues around a decent life in the community.

When Institutional Reform appeared on the political agenda all I had learnt was put to good use in advocating for my daughter. Knowing who the key players were and where to put my energies was extremely beneficial. Who would have thought back in 1984 that I would be fronting up to politicians and senior bureaucrats and what's more, feeling confident in the knowledge that I was in a position to educate them!

Sarah is now living in her own home. It was a hard fought battle but immeasurably helped by the knowledge and strategies I learned by being a member of QPPD. Knowledge is power, but knowledge also give you the confidence to go for what you know is right.

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