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Creating Meaningful Lives
Presented by Katherine Carol
Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it,
time runs out.
~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Acting on what matters, accepting risk and discomfort, is what being a grown up is all
about.
~Peter BlockThe Answer to How is YES!
Meaningful Contributions
I don’t know what “no” means…and neither does my daughter….
Katherine Carol
I just wanted to be the best dad I could be. I wanted my son to experience life.
Dick Hoyt
Suggested Values for a Meaningful Life
• Healthy Living• Healthy
Relationships• Healthy Finances• Healthy Spirit• Healthy Body• Healthy Mind
• Active Mind• Active Life• Active
Community• Active
Relationships• Life Long
Learning• Lots and lots of
FUN!!
Values Walk
What do we believe now about people with disabilities as
demonstrated by our actions and our programs?
Values Walk
If we could change our values what would they be?
The Problem
Meaningful Lives
A Stagnant Life
Waiting Lists Low ExpectationsNew Skills Needed
More People Engaged
Challenges
• Providers vs Contractors• Need to Invite More Community
Involvement• The World is Changing • Focus• Awareness, Skills and
Implementation• Systems Can’t Do the Entire Job
Solutions
Solutions
1. A Way to Resolve Difficulty2. An Answer to a Puzzle3. Finding the Answer4. Ending of Something
Solutions• Community Mapping
– Send folks out with a camera• See the world through their eyes• Interest inventories
– Starbucks– Trout Unlimited– Bead Society– Local Gym/Walking Groups– Collect flyers, look at bulletin boards, etc.
• Situational Assessments
• Life Coaching– Similar model to job coaching
• Natural Supports (yes, it can work!)
Possible Solutions
• Group Action Planning– The Law of the Few– Stickiness– Power of Context– Include:
• Maven• The Connector• Sales Person/Involver
What to Expect
Growth• Well educated vs well trained• We have the tools, why don’t we use them?
Challenges• Can I Change My Mind?• Can I Act More Fully? Am I “response Able”?
Fear• The Surrender Factor
• Can you really trust yourself? Have faith in yourself?
What to Expect
Courage• Trying new things builds new neuro-networks. You will
get smarter.• Being humble is a good thing.• Go into the not knowing…it is what we ask families,
people with disabilities to do daily.
Success• Learning is the key to contribution. Learning is what
helps us understand our capacity, build it and achieve it. • Communities thrive on diversity and so will you and the
people you support.
Beginning• Step out of your pattern• Meeting new people
– It is a contact sport– Requires a degree of intimacy– Free and willing disclosure
• Use the Web:– www.craigslist.com– www.myspace.com– www.bestbuddies.org
– www.couchsurfing.com
– www.linkedin.com– www.meetin.org/city/MEETinSEATTLE
Connections Chelsea and Ian
Connector/Salesperson
Maven/Connector
The Third Place: Starbucks Community
Meaningful and Fun
Meaningful Friends and Natural Supports
Pathway to Meaningful Lives
1. Situational Assessments
2. Make use of downtime1. Make movies2. Start an interest group3. Take up hobbies
• Camps• Like retreats and seminars• Fun, educational, familiar surroundings
Business Boot Camp: Cruising company—get paid to do things/family business support
Technology Camp Homeownership Camp High Impact/Low Cost
A Home of My Own
If You Doubt Anything
• Doubt Limits
• Washington DC, here I come.
For People Who Dream and Need a Plan
Available from Tango Publishing, LLC
www.tangoresults.comor
On amazon.com
