Global-Report-Living-Colour-dr2-2

Inclusive Communities = Stronger Communities
GLOBAL REPORT ON ARTICLE 19: THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMUNITY
49
SPAIN Montse tells us “I would like to marry and have my own
apartment” I would like to marry my boyfriend and have my own
apartment. In this moment I participate in a project of the Foundation to
share an apartment with some mates. I use my mobile as an alarm
clock, I get dressed and have breakfast while watching the news, and at
8.20 I take a train to Plaza Catalunya and then the tube to Muntaner.
From the tube station I walk to the chemist’s.
I work in the store, labelling products, placing orders or attending the
home delivery service. I work four hours a day from 9.15 to 13.15.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I go to the Down Syndrome
Foundation in Conte Borrell Street. There we attend workshops on
computing, oral expression and ballroom dancing, we write a magazine
and we chat about our worries.
I’ve been going out with my boyfriend for one year and a half. His name
is Carles and he’s 26. He works in a supermarket.
I go to the disco, to the cinema, to have lunch or dinner with friends and
some instructors that come with us… Weekly, in the meetings of the
foundation, we decide where to go at the weekend and how much we
will spend.
NEW ZEALAND Matthew David Corner I live in Wellington New
Zealand in a three bedroom home with my flat mate who owns the
house, my neighborhood is friendly and it is easy to find my way around
it. I have a village within walking distance, I go to holidays together
with my family and have a good time, we live in different cities. I have a
volunteer buddy that I chat with and have coffee with.
I work 4 days a week and I am employed by the IIHC to support and
encourage other people to learn about self advocacy I have been doing it
for over 15years.
I am involved with different organisations and am on different boards
and I am a member of People first. I have never lived in an institution
and have always lived with my family while I was growing up because
of my back ground and education in special classes I have a lived
experience of disability and have wanted to be treated the same as other
people regardless of my disability. I have visible and invisible supports
from people using different communication tools for example face book
Skype email
If it wasn’t for the support and guidance and people believing in me I
wouldn’t and couldn’t achieve what have in life so far.