Celebrating People First

By Kim Miller

The words may be simple, but the message they hold is profound. People First. To the nearly 1,400 delegates from 31 countries who gathered for five intense days, these two words mean everything -- if they are taken to heart -- and nothing if they are ignored. To treat someone as a person first means to treat them as an equal. Persons who have been labelled "developmentally disabled" are not treated as equals in our society. The People First movement, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, is determined to change this situation.

"A Celebration of Stories!" was the theme established for the Third International People First Conference held June 24-29 in Toronto. The theme could not have been more appropriate. As one delegate said, "Each time one of us tells a story about a brave thing we did or a big chance we took, it gives the rest of us the courage to take risks, to speak up, to speak out and to try to make a change in our lives. We need to talk and to listen to each other, or we just get stuck." Becky Till, a 19-year-old woman who does not speak, communicated through her mother that "even people who cannot talk have plenty to say."

The conference was organized around six major theme areas: Real Homes; Relationships; Men’s and Women’s Issues; Reading, Writing and Telling Our History; Real Jobs; and Power and Decision Making. Each theme was introduced during the daily plenary sessions, which were open to all participants, including self advocates, parents, supporters, advisors, professionals and guests. After the plenaries, people broke into smaller groups to attend either Sharing Groups or Sessions.

In the small and informal Sharing Groups, individuals gave personal and emotional accounts about both the wonderful and the difficult experiences they had been through. Advisors were present to provide support to the People First members who led the discussions. In these groups, self advocates talked about their own life experiences and particular events which had had a major impact on them. Input from all group members was encouraged in order to problem-solve or give feedback. For many participants, the Sharing Groups were the first opportunities they had ever had in which they felt supported enough to talk openly. Media representatives were not permitted to attend these meetings. It was important that the privacy of those who wanted to talk be respected and that people feel safe enough to share their stories.

A unique variation on the Sharing Group was the Native Healing Circle, which was offered to men and women separately. These small self-help groups were facilitated by experienced Native healers. Participants who wished to talk about their feelings and experiences were able to get guidance and support using this ancient Native tradition.

In contrast to the Sharing Groups, Sessions were intended for an audience. In a panel-style format, representatives from various countries gave brief presentations on such topics as "Coming Out of Institutions: Life Begins Again," "Developing Friendships in the Community," "Having Control over our Bodies," and "Making Our Own Decisions." Some panelists were accomplished speakers who have been involved in People First since it was established. They were able to share the knowledge and insight they had gained through active involvement in the consumer movement. The messages were often simple, but they were strongly stated. In the words of Anna Strand, a native of Sweden, "Is it abnormal to have a job? No. Is it abnormal to be married? No. To have an apartment, friends, and interests? No, no, no! I lead a normal life! My life becomes ’abnormal’ when people give me that label. I know who and what I am. I am Anna, and I am a good and happy person."
Other presenters were making their speaking debut. Many of these individuals had never even been at a conference before. For Vincent Mok, having the chance "to go on stage" made him feel very good about himself. When he returns to Hong Kong, he hopes to organize a meeting of "people like me who want to do more on our own."

The cross-cultural nature of the conference presented both challenges and opportunities. Translators were available for several languages. Pierre, a Quebec native, told me that the best part of the conference was that he was "able to meet people from very different countries and speak with them in spite of language barriers." Pierre met with other Francophones to discuss "building a network of Francophones in other countries, and doing training exchanges." Another interest group, Black People First, met to discuss barriers faced by those who experience discrimination because of both their skin colour and their learning difficulties.

There were many memorable moments at the conference. Peter Park, co-founder of People First of Ontario, said that "the opening ceremony was very powerful -- there wasn’t a dry eye in the house . . . because we are all working toward the same goals, and together we are getting there." Joyce Cockburn, Self Advocate Specialist with People First of Ontario, said that "watching people from so many different places, each with their country’s flag and marching on stage, was very moving." The solidarity among members at the conference was, indeed, moving.

At the closing plenary, the following resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority: "That People First of Canada, on behalf of the Third International People First Conference, send a message to the Prime Minister of Canada and the United Nations calling for an end to labelling." Self advocates demonstrated through this conference that, when all the labels that society has placed upon them are peeled off, they are ready, willing and fully capable of organizing themselves to create change and to establish their rights.

The conference left self advocates with great feelings of camaraderie and inspiration. They returned home filled with ideas, feeling connected to new friends, knowing they had been heard and, above all, holding a renewed vision of a future where society will see that people with developmental disabilities are people first.

(Kim Miller is a freelance writer living in Toronto.)