Real people, real stories
Disability Services Queensland's popular Share Your Story 2007 calendar features fresh faces and inspiring tales.
Everyone has a story to tell so it was no surprise that 122 people with a disability, their families and carers contributed tales of their thoughts, hopes and dreams to this year's popular Share Your Story calendar.
Released as part of the celebrations for International Day of People with a Disability 2006, the Disability Services Queensland publication features 13 of these stories, including those of Heather Gould and Scott Driver. Their tales are different but their message is the same: people with a disability seek understanding, acceptance and inclusion.
Heather Gould's son, Casey, was born with craniostenosis, a condition where the normally moveable bones of the skull are fused. Surgery has seen pieces of Casey's skull removed to allow his brain to grow properly. However, Casey is developing more slowly than his peers.
Heather and Casey Gould want to give others hope.
Like all parents, Heather is committed to ensuring that her son has access to the best in life. For Heather, this means full inclusion for Casey when he starts Year 1.
"For the past three years he has been attending occupational therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy every week, plus we work with him at home," Heather says.
Casey has also attended day care three days a week but 2007 is the start of another adventure - prep year.
"There are many fears and barriers associated with inclusion but we are going to get past them," Heather says.
Heather's experiences inspired her to submit Casey's story.
"When I found out about Share Your Story, I thought it was a perfect way to share knowledge and information with other parents," she says.
"I wanted to give others a bit of hope that they can get through it."
Like Heather, Scott Driver contributed his story in an effort to raise awareness about disability issues.
While he does not like to be the centre of attention, when it comes to his disability he's not afraid to step into the spotlight and tell it like it is.
"Sharing my story wasn't difficult," he says. "I've lived with deafness all my life and my story came straight from the heart.
"I have always believed that by making people aware of you and your disability, the more they will respond to you and the more they will want to understand."
Profoundly deaf since birth, Scott uses hearing aids but generally needs to lipread to ensure he understands people properly.
Due to complete his boilermaker apprenticeship early this year, Scott says his deafness has led to some adjustments in his workplace but that most issues are minimised because of increasing awareness about his disability.
"I believe that people with a disability should try and be open about their situation so that the people around them are more aware and therefore more comfortable in approaching them," he says.
For a free copy of the calendar visit your local library, ABC radio station, Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office or Disability Services Queensland office.
Alternatively, phone the Disability Information Service on (07) 3224 8444, 1800 177 120 (toll free)* or TTY 1800 010 222 (toll free)* or email dsqmail@disability.qld.gov.au
* Calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates.
Last updated November 2007