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Empowering people with disabilities to live an incredible ordinary life.
Episodes
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
Thursday Jan 29, 2026
In this episode, Eric Goll tackles the challenging but crucial question that every family member faces: What Will Happen to My Loved One with a Disability When I'm Gone?
Rather than avoiding the topic, Eric shares practical insights and real-life stories to help you create a customized Life Plan that protects your loved one’s independence and well-being.
Listeners will discover:
- The common risks families face without a written plan
- Why informal assumptions can lead to chaos and hardship
- A clear, four-step process to build and implement a Life Plan
- Legal and financial strategies to protect social benefits and ensure proper guardianship alternatives
Planning your loved one’s future isn’t just paperwork—it’s about ensuring an Awesome Ordinary Life filled with connection, dignity, and purpose. This episode empowers families to move from fear and uncertainty to hope and action.
Ready to start planning? Download your FREE Life Planning 101 Guide at https://www.empoweringability.org/life-planning-101-guide/
Saturday Apr 20, 2024
Saturday Apr 20, 2024
There's a cafe a few towns over that hires mostly individuals with developmental disabilities.
You may have seen these types of businesses in your area: a cafe, a thrift store, or a packaging facility.
The family behind the cafe started it to provide employment for their daughter and to create opportunities for other people with disabilities.
A heartwarming story...
BUT once you look past the feel-good story, you can see the challenges with this model of employment for people with a disability.
In this podcast, I teach you how to think critically about employment for your loved one with a disability and set them up for success.
🚀 If these strategies resonate with you, Subscribe for Weekly Goodness here: https://bit.ly/YoutubeEricGoll
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About Eric Goll:
Welcome to Empowering Ability! I'm Eric Goll, and my mission is to help you ensure your loved one with an intellectual/developmental disability lives an Awesome Ordinary Life! As a family member and coach, I support families touched by autism/ developmental disabilities. I provide the knowledge and tools to cultivate an awesome, ordinary life for your loved ones, ensuring their care and support now and in the future.
🎁 Download my FREE copy of my “Life Planning 101 Guide” to start your loved one's Life Plan Now: https://www.empoweringability.org/life-planning-guide/
🎙️ Follow the Empowering Ability Podcast: https://bit.ly/EmpoweringAbilityPodcast
🌐 Visit the Empowering Ability Blog: https://www.empoweringability.org/blog/
🔔 Subscribe to this YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/YoutubeEricGoll
👨👩👧 Join the Empowering Ability Family Members Only Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringabilityfamilygroup
Friday Feb 02, 2024
Friday Feb 02, 2024
Worried about what's ahead for your loved one with a developmental disability?
It's totally okay to feel unsure, especially when you are trying to plan for their future.
In this episode, I share Jamie's story—a powerful reminder of why just having a Special Needs Trust might not be enough.
Jamie's parents did what they thought was best and set up a special needs trust, but when they were gone, Jamie's life got tough. It took her 3 years to find her way again. I don't want that for you or your loved one. That's why I'm talking about three necessary steps you can take alongside a Special Needs Trust. These steps can really make a difference for your loved one's future, even without you.
I also describe what a Special Needs Trust (USA) and Henson Trust (Canada) are, and why they are important to set up for your loved one with a disability.
Come join me in the video as I explain these steps. Let's face the future together with hope and possibility.
🚀 If these strategies resonate with you, Subscribe for Weekly Goodness here: https://bit.ly/YoutubeEricGoll
About Eric Goll:
Welcome to Empowering Ability! I'm Eric Goll, and my mission is to help you ensure your loved one with an intellectual/developmental disability lives an Awesome Ordinary Life! As a family member and coach, I support families touched by autism/ developmental disabilities. I provide the knowledge and tools to cultivate an awesome ordinary life for your loved ones, ensuring their care and support now and in the future.
🎁 Download my FREE copy of my “Life Planning 101 Guide” to start your loved one's Life Plan Now: https://www.empoweringability.org/life-planning-guide/
🎙️ Follow the Empowering Ability Podcast: https://bit.ly/EmpoweringAbilityPodcast
🌐 Visit the Empowering Ability Blog: https://www.empoweringability.org/blog/
🔔 Subscribe to YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/YoutubeEricGoll
👨👩👧 Join the Empowering Ability Family Members Only Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringabilityfamilygroup
Friday Dec 29, 2023
Friday Dec 29, 2023
Download a FREE copy of my “7 Strategies for More Independence” guide to boost your loved one's independence: https://www.empoweringability.org/independence-tips/
To get more videos like this, Subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://bit.ly/YoutubeEricGoll
As a caregiver, you dream of your loved one leading an independent life, meaning more freedom for your loved one... and for you! In this video, I share insights from families who are making significant progress towards independence with their loved one month after month.
Discover three key strategies for more progress:
1) Persistence with Intention
2) Patience for Your Loved One's Pace
3) Embrace Positivity
Listen to this podcast to learn how to implement these strategies to make 2024 the best year yet for your family.
🚀 If these strategies resonate with you, Subscribe for Weekly Goodness here: https://bit.ly/YoutubeEricGoll
About Eric Goll:
Welcome to Empowering Ability! I'm Eric Goll, and my mission is to help you make sure your loved one with an intellectual/developmental disability lives an Awesome Ordinary Life! As a family member and coach, I support families touched by autism/ developmental disabilities. I provide the knowledge and tools to cultivate an awesome ordinary life for your loved ones, ensuring their care and support now and in the future.
🎁 Download my FREE “7 Strategies for More Independence” guide to boost your loved one's independence: https://www.empoweringability.org/independence-tips/
🎙️ Follow the Empowering Ability Podcast: https://bit.ly/EmpoweringAbilityPodcast
🌐 Visit the Empowering Ability Blog: https://www.empoweringability.org/blog/
🔔 Subscribe to this YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/YoutubeEricGoll
👨👩👧 Join the Empowering Ability Family Members Only Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringabilityfamilygroup
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Download a FREE copy of my “7 Strategies for More Independence” guide to boost your loved one's independence: https://www.empoweringability.org/independence-tips/
To get more videos like this, Subscribe to my YouTube channel here: https://bit.ly/YoutubeEricGoll
Do you want your loved one with Autism or a developmental disability to have better social skills so that they can have more friends and better relationships with family members?
In this podcast, I give you 3 game-changing strategies to improve social skills by enhancing communication and relationships for your loved one with a developmental disability or Autism.
👉 Key Points:
1) Highlight Your Loved One's Value
2) Practice Conversations
3) Use Social Stories
Implementing these strategies not only enhances how others perceive your loved one but also boosts their confidence. More connections mean increased safety in times when you can't be there. Watch the video to learn how to use these 3 strategies to help your loved one improve social skills and have more connection and relationships in their life.
🚀 If these strategies resonate with you, Subscribe for Weekly Goodness here: https://bit.ly/YoutubeEricGoll
About Eric Goll: Welcome to Empowering Ability! I'm Eric Goll, and my mission is to help you make sure your loved one with an intellectual/developmental disability lives an Awesome Ordinary Life! As a family member and coach, I support families touched by autism/ developmental disabilities. I provide the knowledge and tools to cultivate an awesome ordinary life for your loved ones, ensuring their care and support now and in the future.
🎁 Download my FREE “7 Strategies for More Independence” guide to boost your loved one's independence: https://www.empoweringability.org/independence-tips/
🎙️ Follow the Empowering Ability Podcast: https://bit.ly/EmpoweringAbilityPodcast
🌐 Visit the Empowering Ability Blog: https://www.empoweringability.org/blog/
🔔 Subscribe to this YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/YoutubeEricGoll
👨👩👧 Join the Empowering Ability Family Members Only Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringabilityfamilygroup
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
Looking for more strategies to nurture your loved one’s independence? Download my free “7 Strategies for More Independence” guide: https://www.empoweringability.org/independence-tips/
The holidays can be tough when you have a loved one with a disability, but guess what? I've got your back! 🤍
In this podcast, I'm sharing 3 incredible ways to make this festive season a bit brighter for both you and your loved one.
✨ Key Points:
Give: Discover how a thoughtful, effort-filled gift can showcase your loved one's capabilities and spread joy.
Contribute: Learn how to help your loved one find a valued role at gatherings, supporting confidence and connections.
Space: Navigate the holidays with ease by understanding and respecting your loved one's comfort level with other people.
🌈 Subscribe for Weekly Goodness! If these strategies resonate with you, hit that subscribe button! 🚀
🎁 Free Gift for You! Looking for more ways to nurture independence? Dive into my '7 Strategies for More Independence' PDF guide. https://www.empoweringability.org/independence-tips/
Let's make this holiday season a little more joyful! I'm Eric Goll, and together, let's take a small step forward toward an awesome, ordinary life. 🌈💖
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Are you seeking fresh, effective ways to support your loved one with a disability in finding a fulfilling paid job? I've got you covered.
In this new podcast episode, Milton Tyree, an Employment Specialist for people with developmental disabilities, teaches us the best practices of customized employment that you can use to support your loved one with a disability to get a job and keep it. There are people with all sorts of disabilities and disability levels that have paid employment, and paid employment is possible for your loved one, too.
There are all sorts of jobs for people with disabilities.
Also, you don't have to accept substandard disability employment support or disability vocational support any longer. Milton's best practices in this episode will help you support your loved one with a disability to land their next job!
With gratitude,
Eric
P.S. Ready to unlock a brighter, more independent future for your loved one with a developmental disability? Click below for your FREE copy of the "7 Strategies for More Independence" guide. Each page is packed with actionable tips to boost their capabilities and confidence.
Download Your FREE Guide Now: https://www.empoweringability.org/independence-tips/
Saturday Sep 23, 2023
Saturday Sep 23, 2023
Ever catch yourself worrying that you’re loved one isn’t capable of independence?
Trust me, you’re not alone. My mom felt the same way about my sister Sarah.
Mom was so worried that Sarah couldn’t even get out of bed on her own. The truth was something else entirely.
… the lengths I had to go to prove it? Let’s just say it’s a story you don’t want to miss!
AND it could very well change how you approach your own caregiving journey.
Let me tell you the story… listen to this episode!
with gratitude,
Eric
P.S. Transform worry into action – Prepare your loved one for independence and a secure future:
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
You’re a loving mother committed to your loved one’s growth.
I know it’s challenging, but there’s a way to help your loved one’s independence flourish.
This short podcast reveals two stories, from family members like you, who transformed their loved one’s lives using daily routines, consistency, and even failure.
Growing your loved one’s independence is possible, and I’ve got the next steps for you in this podcast!
With gratitude,
Eric
Claim your free guide to help you grow your loved one's independence: Download here
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Is your loved one's progress feeling slow?
I want to share a story with you, one that offers a path to independence that you've been looking for.
In this podcast, you'll learn from Lori's journey, a mother who started breaking down bigger tasks for her daughter into small, manageable steps. Lori's patience and pacing paved the way for her daughter's growing confidence and independence.
This story isn't just about Lori's daughter; it's a process you can use with your loved one.
Listen to learn how you can use small steps to help your loved one make more progress.
With gratitude,
Eric
Claim your free guide to help you grow your loved one's independence:
Download here: https://www.empoweringability.org/independence-tips/
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Tired of the constant nagging to try and motivate your loved one with a developmental disability to do more at home?
Imagine a world where your loved one is interested in growing their independence without resistance.
The secret is in identifying the perfect opportunity. Let me guide you through it, drawing inspiration from Karen’s story.
In this podcast, I’m going to help you find that right opportunity to engage your loved one.
with gratitude,
Eric
Claim your free guide ‘Growing Independence in 7 Simple Steps.’
Friday Jul 21, 2023
Friday Feb 24, 2023
Friday Feb 24, 2023
Are you feeling frustrated with the limited options available for your loved one with a developmental disability?
Do you feel like they're just going through the motions at their day program without really growing or experiencing life to the fullest?
If so, I'm here to tell you that there are better options out there.
The truth is, there are better ordinary options available for your loved one. We're here to help you explore and discover the possibilities that exist to help your loved one live an Awesome Ordinary Life, with more independence, real friendships, and even paid employment.
With gratitude,
Eric
P.S. Want to create an Awesome Ordinary Life with your loved one?!
Click the link below to join our free upcoming workshop:
Friday Feb 17, 2023
Friday Feb 17, 2023
Spencer and his mom Elaine joined me in this conversation to share how they went from butting heads with each other to collaboratively creating an Awesome Ordinary Life for Spencer.
For them, it felt like other people were picking up their lives after COVID restrictions eased, and they were stuck in isolation.
Spencer shared that he didn't want to leave his bedroom and was on the edge of depression.
Elaine and I started to work together, and Elaine learned to shift from being the caregiver to the coach. When Elaine started collaborating with Spencer, they took some big steps forward.
One big step forward was starting Spencer's support circle of friends, which is a group of people in intentional, reciprocal and freely given relationships with Spencer.
Spencer's confidence has grown; he's exploring his interests in community, and even landed a paid part-time job!
P.S. Want to create an Awesome Ordinary Life with your loved one?!
Click the link below to join our free upcoming workshop:
Friday Feb 03, 2023
Friday Feb 03, 2023
Alina, the mother of 17-year-old Juliana, joined me to talk about their experience of going from complete dependence on Mom to Juliana growing her capability and independence.
Alina was doing EVERYTHING for Juliana. The idea of independence was there, but Alina was locked into the habit of doing everything.
When Alina thought about Juliana's independence, her fears kicked in, creating a state of overwhelm and keeping them stuck. This resulted in Juliana learning that she couldn't do things.
Then things started to change when Alina and I began to work together. Alina's awareness and mental outlook shifted, which was the key to unlocking Juliana's independence.
Alina no longer feels like the caretaker and has to solve all the problems. Juliana and Alina are now on an equal footing, having more open dialogue, and Juliana is starting to lead her own life!
P.S. Want to create an Awesome Ordinary Life with your loved one?!
Click the link below to join our free upcoming workshop:
Saturday Jan 21, 2023
Saturday Jan 21, 2023
To help you see more ordinary life possibilities for your loved ones with developmental disabilities, I will share stories of families working with their loved ones to take steps forward to create an Awesome Ordinary Life.
Chloe was in a high school transition program for students with disabilities in her final years of high school.
She became increasingly frustrated by the lack of opportunity the transition program provided and felt like it was holding her back.
Chloe, supported by her mom, Laura, decided to leave the support of the transition program and pursue paid employment.
Today, Chloe is gainfully employed, building meaningful relationships with peers at work, and enjoying her interests in ordinary places in the community.
Want to create an Awesome Ordinary Life with your loved one?!
Click the link below to join our free upcoming workshop that Laura took to start building an Awesome Ordinary Life with Chloe!
Wednesday Dec 18, 2019
Wednesday Dec 18, 2019
Lorna Sullivan, a global disability leader who is making significant changes inside the New Zealand social system. Lorna is the founder of the International Initiative for Disability Leadership (IIDL) and Director of Mana Whaikaha. I had the pleasure of learning from Lorna when she was part of the faculty in Michael Kendrick's Optimal Individualized Service Design Course.
In this podcast, we cover a wide range of topics, including:
- doing away with deficit-based assessments,
- enhancing a person's mana (explanation inside the podcast),
- the power of holding a positive vision,
- the rights of people with disabilities,
- tools for social inclusion,
- and much more!
About Lorna Sullivan:
Lorna became involved in being an advocate for people with disabilities by accident. She began her study in the field of Psychology, where she was first exposed to people with disabilities who she didn't know existed because they were hidden from the rest of society.
Lorna realized the damage that is done when a group of people, through no fault of their own, are marginalized from the rest of society and have no mechanism to find their way back.
Lorna shares, "If we continue to view disabled people as human tragedy and the best we can do for these people is to care for them; we will continue to deny them every aspect of life that we hold to be valuable."
Lorna helps us understand people with disabilities are the same as every other person, the same human needs, aspirations, and desires. She is on a mission to include people in all areas of society.
Lorna on Inclusion
Paraphrasing from the podcast, Lorna shares:
There is a fear of rejection, and in many cases, actual rejection is true.
My experience has been society wants to engage with people that have disabilities, but they don't know how to. We need to give them [people] the tools to do that [engage].
The best tool that we have to create more inclusion in society is to keep people close. If a person with disabilities is with other valued people in the Community, it makes it easier for other valued people to communicate with a person with disabilities. It normalizes the person.
Tweetable Quotes from Lorna:
"Never resort to the special, unless you have exhausted the ordinary. If we start in the special, we will always end in the special."
"The only thing that will change the trajectory of the lives of people with disabilities is where you have strong families, with strong vision - you have competent disabled people. Where you don't irrespective of the capacity of that person, you have dependency."
"Holding a very strong vision for a positive, meaningful, and full life isn't a trivial thing. If you don't hold this vision through the hard times, you will get blown anyway the wind is blowing."
This podcast with Lorna Sullivan is jam-packed with wisdom and is a must listen!
Also, if you like ideas discussed in this podcast, you are going to love the upcoming FREE Masterclass Workshop Series that guides families to build a strong vision for a positive, meaningful and full life that Lorna was talking about! Click Here to Sign up for free.
Love & Respect,
Eric
Resources:
Mana Whaikaha website: https://manawhaikaha.co.nz/
The International Initiative for Disability Leadership (IIDL) website: http://www.iimhl.com/iidl-homepage.html
Monday Mar 04, 2019
Monday Mar 04, 2019
Over the past few years, I’ve been thinking deeply about how to best support families with a loved one with a disability to create a happy and full life for their loved one - and a good life that isn’t dependent on parents (forever)…
I know this is possible because I have friends with disabilities who have created this life - my family is going through this transformation, and the families I work with are going through this transformation. In this video, I share one of their stories with you.
... and I've found that there is there is ONE key thing in common for all of these families… They have Created a Vision!
As families, we need to be able to imagine the best possible life for our loved one with a disability so that we can then create it.
Well, actually there are TWO things all of these families have in common. There are two paths that you can choose as a family (and neither is risk-free). In this video, I tell you about these two paths - and I share with you the ONE path that these families are choosing to create the best life possible for their loved one.
Tuesday Dec 11, 2018
Tuesday Dec 11, 2018
Learn about the Open Future Learning training resource for supporters of people that have an IDD, & how Ben Drew is fighting the oppression of people with IDDs.
In this podcast/ blog I had a pleasure of speaking with Ben Drew, Founder of Open Future Learning. Ben has over 20 years of experience working with people with an intellectual or developmental disability starting as learning disability nurse, then going on to create an individualized housing and support service, and he is now the Founder of Open Future Learning. Ben is also an incredible storyteller and even though this podcast is lengthy, it is a pleasure to listen to.
Due to the length of the podcast, the blog is broken down into Part 1, and Part 2. In Part 1 of the blog, you will learn about the Open Future Learning training resource for supporters of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs), and Ben's life journey to fight oppression and create ordinary incredible lives for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In Part 2 of the blog, you will learn about 3 foundational support principals for exceptional support. As always, all of these insights can be heard by clicking play on the podcast player below.
You can listen to this conversation in its entirety by clicking play on the player below, OR by clicking one of the following links to listen on your favourite podcast player; iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play.
What is Open Future Learning?
Open Future Learning is an Online learning resource 100% dedicated to the field of intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs). The platform is developed for support staff, but anyone that touches the lives of people with IDD can benefit from the resource. The platform has a wide range of learning modules (for example: abuse prevention to social valued roles) which are delivered as interactive multimedia books. Open Future Learning is known for their short films and they have an on-demand video library with just over 700 short films featuring the leading global thinkers on IDD. They have also created a new product called Side-By-Side learning.
Ben explains, “ We have the saying from self-advocates, ‘Nothing about us, without us’, but we don’t live up to this. Training is one of those things. So we developed ‘side-by’side’ learning. The person that receives the support and provides the support do the learning together. They are short 30-minute interactive learning modules."
Ben continues, "Much of the content is created in collaboration with many of the leading minds in the developmental disability community. It is a really financially efficient way to get people to access these leading minds, compared to only the select few that were able to go to a conference."
The platform is designed for support organizations and priced accordingly, however, if you are an individual learner or a family and you want access to this resource you can email Ben and he will help you to access this resource. Email hello@openfuturelearning.org
Ben Drew’s Mission To Fight Oppression and Create Ordinary Lives for People with IDDs:
Paraphrasing from the podcast, Ben shares his story:
“I grew up in the UK in a small town called Devon. On the outskirts of the town, there was a small community for people with IDDs. It was kind of like Camphill without the farm. My best friend from school lived in that community, his parents managed the community. He lived in this cluster of houses where people with IDDs lived. It was great because we played football (soccer) on demand, it was mostly guys, and I got to know all of these people in the best way. When these guys came into the town the way that other people interacted with them was different. They teased them, they spoke behind their backs about them. This always sat with me and it was the starting point to wanting to work with people with disabilities. Went I was 18 years old I went to a summer camp for people with IDDs in the US, and really enjoyed it. Then came back to the UK and got a job with a guy named Gary Kent. He lived in a large residential home with 20 people with IDDs. It was a hospital that had been converted for people with IDDs to live after the institutions closed. Gary lived there as well but decided he wanted his own home. He left and purchased his own home in a nearby village. When Gary came back to the residential home he said he had to close down the residential home. He had seen the other side of life. He was learning how to cook, he was in his own community, he had control over his life and his environment - and he wanted everyone else to have that.
There was a guy that lived there [in the residential home] that was physically abusive, and there was a guy that was a runner. When the runner chose where he wanted to live, he never ran away again. The guy who was a hitter moved into a home of his own and he stopped hitting people. You can be getting really good support and if the environment isn’t right and the location isn’t right - you can only so so much.”
Insight: This was a huge lesson for Ben when he saw the change in people when they got control of their lives. These oppressive environments occur in residential homes, but they can also happen within our family homes. Speaking from personal experience, my parents home became an oppressive environment for my sister Sarah (who has an IDD) due to a lack of choice, social isolation, and lack of transportation. Most of Sarah’s decisions were made for her and most things were done for her. Of course, these things were done with the best of intentions, but this caused more stress and anxiety on everyone in the household, everyone entering the household, and suppressed opportunities for Sarah to grow. Sarah has moved out of her parents home and into a home shared with me where she now has choice and control of her life.
Ben continues with a leadership insight:
“Vulnerability of leaders is important. Gary was always incredibly transparent. He would always share his mistakes and things he had messed up. The residential home was just another thing. In order to empower everyone else underneath him, he had to be that way. The people underneath him could also make mistakes, they could also mess-up. I see cultures in organizations coming down on people. If you make a mistake it is a warning, if you make 3 mistakes you aren’t allowed to do things anymore. That culture just doesn’t work.”
Ben then when on to set up service to help 100 people with IDDs over 6 years to buy or rent their own home, manage their own supports with their own budgets, in Bristol UK, using the formula Gary gave him. Ben then moved to New York, and that is where he started Open Future Learning.
Part 2 of this blog is coming on December 18th, with insights on 3 fundamental support principals that are foundational to great support. If you want to learn about these core support principals now, you can do so by listening to the podcast.
Ben is also the creator of memes that help to nudge people in the direction of being more accepting, more inclusive, and to develop the understanding of what it is like to live with an intellectual or developmental disability. Here are a couple of my favourites:
If you received value from reading this blog or listening to this podcast episode I encourage you to share it with someone else you feel would benefit.
You can also support this work by subscribing. This podcast and blog is supported completely by listeners and readers like you. Thank you to those that have supported by subscribing!
Love & Respect,
Eric Goll
Resources:
http://www.openfuturelearning.org/
https://www.youtube.com/user/OpenFutureLearning
Email: ben@openfuturelearning.org
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Thursday Nov 29, 2018
Thursday Nov 29, 2018
In this episode, you will learn all about Personal Support Networks! You might have heard of support circles, circles, microboards, or aroha's (there are probably names I'm missing), but theses are all forms of Personal Support Networks. Rebecca Pauls, Director of Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN), shares with us with us what a Personal Support Network is, how they can benefit you, and how to go about building one.
Rebecca is the Director of Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN), a Vancouver-based social enterprise that partners with families and people facing social isolation to secure their future by mobilizing relationships and leveraging community assets. Since joining PLAN three years ago, Rebecca has led a complete re-design of programming to integrate principles of person-centred planning, ABCD, narrative therapy, and independent facilitation. After demonstrating the strength and flexibility of this community approach, Rebecca is regularly invited to consult with organizations about how it can be scaled and applied to population groups across North America.
You can listen to this conversation in its entirety by clicking play on the player below, OR by clicking one of the following links to listen on your favourite podcast player; iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play.
How did PLAN Originate?
Rebecca shares:
“PLAN is an advocacy group in BC, which started with a group of parents that came together and founded PLAN 30 years ago. These parents believed their sons and daughters could contribute and be included in the community. The work of PLAN is charting a new path that is full of opportunity for people with disabilities. They are thinking about the present, but also the future. What happens when we are gone? This is when the idea of personal support networks really began to mobilize.”
One of PLAN’s ultimate aims is to create a Good life for families, which includes; Friends and relationships, making a contribution, being empowered to make choices, a place to call home, financial stability, parents have peace of mind. The basis of all of these things is to have people and relationships to do life together with. One of the main tools used at PLAN to accomplish this is personal support networks.
What is a Personal Support Network?
We all have a network – a group of people we depend on for companionship, support and decision making. This typically includes our family, friends, and neighbors, but also professionals like counselors or financial advisors. This group can be considered your “Personal Support Network”, and it reflects your personal interests, abilities, and needs. The specific individuals will vary by person and may change over time. Some networks will include many, while others just a few people. (Reference: PLAN website)
What is the Purpose of a Personal Support Network?
Paraphrasing from the podcast Rebecca Shares:
To ensure that no one is alone or so no one is stuck in isolation. Sometimes we hear the saying that loneliness is the only debilitating disability. A personal support network is to ensure that everyone can live in an inclusive community. There are all sorts of things people in the network can do together and accomplish. At the heart of it is recognizing that we have the support that we need to live the life that we want and dream of for ourselves.
What are you seeing for people with Disabilities that have an intentional personal support network, vs those who do not?
Paraphrasing from the podcast Rebecca Shares:
“I think the difference comes in when the unpaid relational support is involved. When there isn’t a personal support network they might live a life where they don’t have friends. When a personal support network is involved and parents aren’t able to be involved, there are people that are there to play important and specific roles. At PLAN we have mentors to support families with building and maintaining these Personal Support Networks.
In different times in a person’s life, they might depend on a person’s personal support network in different ways. When they are a young person or things are going well they might do more fun and social things. At different points in life when challenging situations come up, or there is a need for planning and advocacy it might be more formal. You can often hear these networks being called natural supports, or circle of support, or microboard (which is the most formal way of setting up a personal support network). The most important thing is not what you call it, but in the way that people are working together. It is important not only for people with disabilities, but it is more like a way of being, and a way of living our lives. It is sometimes difficult to build or maintain those personal networks. PLAN has a community connector or mentors to help keep everyone connected.
How does someone build a personal support network?
Paraphrasing from the podcast Rebecca Shares:
“We start by getting to know who the person is, their gifts, what they think about, what they like to do, and the things that they care about. We build relationships based on common interests. When we build the network we focus on gifts and the uniqueness of each person. Then we think of who are all of the people in your life and build a relationship map. If there aren’t a lot of people in your life we think about if you did have people in your life, what roles would they play?
Then we look to the community. We believe that our communities are full of welcoming places and other people with gifts. When we look to build the connections we look for groups that are already in place. The role of the community connector is to create opportunities for the person to get connected.
Turning those relationships into a network is a matter of talking about what is important. We encourage people to share what is important in their life right now. The community connector can help to create the opportunities for people together.
As we reach a time where a generational shift is happening, the parents that created inclusion across the country are reaching their 70’s the rubber is hitting the road in terms of these networks and transition.
Building networks is a little bit counter-cultural, we are getting busier, and we are living more isolated lives, we don’t know our neighbors as much as we used to. ”
You can access the resources on building personal support networks (e-books and online courses) mentioned on the podcast in the resource section at the bottom of this blog).
Who plays the community connector role?
Paraphrasing from the podcast Rebecca Shares:
“Sometimes there is a natural connector in a person’s life. In other situations, the family might hire someone to play that role (Like the service PLAN offers). Some organizations train their personal support workers to take a network approach. The supporter will ask the question, who else can we involve?
Personal support networks usually come together every month or every other month to do some planning and to talk about what the priorities are for that month, and how they can support each other.”
What do personal support network meetings look like?
Paraphrasing from the podcast Rebecca Shares:
“Some are very structured and some are very natural. We plan based on what that person is comfortable with, what the current needs and priorities are. At PLAN every 6 months we create work plans. For the next 6 months, what do we want to accomplish? Do we plan events and celebrations, look for job opportunities, or find a new apartment. Each month the community connector will send a monthly update on the progress that is made.”
On the podcast, Rebecca gives examples of what support networks and roles people play in a support network can look like.
What are you currently learning at PLAN?
Paraphrasing from the podcast Rebecca Shares:
“PLAN has done a good job helping families build networks which have resulted in friendships and community contribution, but we are starting to really work toward helping people put those networks to work. Passing the baton from mom and dad to other people in the network, before we reach a crisis point and being proactive. Identifying the key roles, and what is the succession plan. Inviting network members and transferring the knowledge to the next generation. It is succession planning, what do we need to know and how do we start to pass this along. Roles like trustee, guardian or power of attorney, or more practical things like who is going to help this person go to the bank or transportation.”
PLAN has also developed a new planning tool that works to answer the question, do families have peace of mind? This is an interesting question because peace of mind is dynamic and it changes. This new planning tool helps families to understand if they have peace of mind in the different areas of life, and it helps families to think about what they need to do to get there. Listen to the podcast to learn more about this thinking that Rebecca shares.
A final message from Rebecca, “Personal support networks are about relationships. They are about living intentionally together and supporting each other and sharing what is important to us. For me personally, because of all of the changes we see happening in families and people sadly passing away, there is a real urgency for us to begin asking the question, ‘What does this {personal support networks] really look like?’, and, ‘Are we intentionally supporting each other?’. Do we know people that don’t have any relationships?, and asking ourselves, 'what we can do?'. There are all kinds of possibilities to connect and we just need to go after them."
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Love & Respect,
Eric Goll
Resources:
Safe and secure, by Al Etmanski
Online 6-week course called Personal Support Network Facilitation
Planinstitute.ca has several online resources in their learning center
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