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Improving the role of Personal Assistants

This discussion was created from comments split from: Hi, I'm Richard - ask me questions about CP.
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My name is Richard Whelan. I am 41 years old and have cerebral palsy which affects movement in my arms and legs that I have had since birth. Despite this, I am compis mentis, able to make decisions for myself and crucially take responsibility for the decisions I make. I can communicate clearly and have a university education. Healthwise there is nothing wrong with me: I am fit and healthy and don't have any health conditions associated with my disability.
Thank you for your post and good to speak with you.
I agree that the transition from study to work can be more difficult than it needs to be. I have been very fortunate to have always been in employment despite my Cerebral Palsy and use of a wheelchair. I am also acutely aware that this is not the case for many.
I'm really interested to hear your ideas about expanding the role of Personal Assistants. Obviously, the main stumbling block to that would be as always, funding.
I look forward to speaking with further.
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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Thank you for getting in touch.
I agree with you that funding will always be a stumbling block. That is why I talk about finding new and innovate ways to fund the employment and development of Personal Assistants so that they can help disabled people with all aspects of their lives, not just social care in its narrowest of senses.
The fact that expanding the role of Personal Assistants maybe difficult because of funding doesn't mean to say we shouldn't try.
My hope was to bring together service users, carers, care managers and representatives of disability charities like Scope to discuss how this is possible to achieve. Maybe those who are interested could form a Community Interest Company specifically for this task.
What do you think? I would be interested in hearing your thoughts specifically with regards to where I can find these individuals.
Richard
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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That's great! Who should I contact at START Ability Services and what are their contact details?
Please let me know so that I can get in contact them.
Thank you.
Richard Whelan
Here is the link to the contact page. The person you could ask for is Kath Sutherland who is the founder of START Ability Services. I met Kath at the recent Naidex Conference, very inspirational!
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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Thank you very much for this information. It is much appreciated.
Richard
Keep in touch.
Specialist Information Officer - Cerebral Palsy
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