First International Conference on Self-determination

From the National Empowerment Center:


“We are going to roll up our sleeves and discuss monumental issues, such as ending segregation from society, moving forward with the global advancement of self-determination and launching new efforts to redefine supports and recovery, so that real control is determined by people with mental and/or physical disabilities,” said Center for Self-Determination Executive Director Tom Nerney.

All eyes are on Detroit, May 27-29th, as the city hosts the first-ever International Conference on Self-Determination, sponsored by The Center for Self-Determination. Hundreds of participants representing services and change agents in developmental disabilities, elder issues, mental health recovery and the independent living movement, will attend this outstanding event held at the Detroit Marriott GM Renaissance Center.

“Detroit is in the midst of transformation, so it is fitting that people from around the world who are dedicated to fundamentally changing the human service system, hold a conference of this magnitude in Detroit,” said Nerney.

One of the many conference highlights will be “StoryCorps”, the largest oral history project of its kind. Participants can record their story on a free CD to take home and then it is archived for future generations at the National Library of Congress.

Topics include: Human Service System Change, Structural Changes, Taking Charge of Personal Economic Futures, Control of Public Funding, Advocacy and Leadership, Workforce Issues and much more.

The agenda also highlights different national and cultural approaches to self-determination as well as experiments in the United States and other countries, that demonstrate commitment to a person controlling where and with whom they live, their real membership in the community, their pursuit of long term relationships and the end of personal impoverishment.

For all of the latest conference information, log onto www.self-determination.com.

Conference Promotes Recovery and Civil Rights

Jane W. Christol of San Jose, California, writes:

The 2008 conference of the California Network of Mental Health Clients, “25 Years: Celebrating the Past; Building the Future,” February 8-10, in Sacramento, was a statewide conference given by and for mental health clients. It is a profound experience to be in the company of heroes and leaders in a movement toward recovery from such devastating illnesses as schizophrenia, to name only one.

The President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health in 2002 worked diligently to begin to envision a mental health system driven primarily by the people served. The California Network of Mental Health Clients has worked tirelessly to make the dream of recovery not just a dream, but to endeavor to change the system from the inside out.

One of the keynote speakers, Stephen Pocklington, a former mental health provider, now promotes awareness of the WRAP – Wellness Recovery Action Plan – program begun by Mary Ellen Copeland of Vermont. Some among us are former, and some are current, providers of mental health services. Defining oneself as a client of mental health services can be freeing and akin to what it means to come out.

Distinct voices in the client movement include psychiatrists, pharmaceutical companies, family members, social workers, and clients themselves. There is good news in that each of these voices (with the exception of pharmaceutical companies) could identify in a personal sense with the importance of their mental well-being and self-care.

These are not economically easy times for persons in all strata of society. If we are clients receiving housing and/or monthly income from the government, we have a certain amount of stability. We also have perhaps more time than the average individual, who must spend much of their time working for medical insurance, to keep a roof over their head and dinner on the table.

The last two years, I volunteered serving lunches at a local senior center. Now I am in service at a local meditation center in San Jose, in Santa Clara County. Initially I felt challenged socially, but I continued to show up and now feel welcomed and valued in each of these communities.

How can we use our time in the highest way? How can we keep in mind ways that our activities will be a benefit to others?

A full life includes being in service. Some people choose professions that are focused toward service. When we are involved in these professions, I hope that we maintain our self-care and also choose to serve in the highest way.

Posted by the Clearinghouse