Why is supported decision-making important?

Ameria: When I make my own decisions I feel happy, great, confident and strong.

Paul: When I choose what I want to do I feel happy. I’m my own boss and my own human.

Caleb: I want to make my own decisions because I believe it will help me achieve my goals that I have set out for myself. I’m currently in the middle of writing my own songs, writing my own music. I have 4 songs of my own that I am hoping one day to put out there.

Ameria: My life has changed. I have been more happier, more myself, more proud of who I am because if I wasn’t in the kaha haka group then I wouldn’t know what I was going to do.

Paul: My support and I say I’m their boss. I can choose what I want to do in my life.

Faith: It means that I can try and be confident of the decision that I am making, but it needs a little bit of support to just be a little bit more confident, assuring myself with that decision.

Judy: It makes my life a lot easier. Megan is an adult and she is being treated like an adult. She has choices and makes decisions in her life and I think it lets her grow and gives her more responsibility.

Caleb: If there is any kiritaki that are out there wanting to do that talk to your staff, or management where you are, and just say I want to do this and they will help you do it. It worked for me.

Judy: Do supported decision-making it’s so much more rewarding because the person you are working with will understand what you want to do, they understand their choices, they get to make a choice and they feel in control of their life. This then grows their self-esteem and makes them proud of what they are doing.

Faith: When I make my own decisions I feel proud that I made a decision. Every day is a different day, so it depends on how I feel, but at least I tried right. It will broaden your horizons of being who you are. You are entitled to a decision whether its right or wrong.

Caleb: Go out there and just achieve your dreams. If there’s something you want to do talk to your staff or your manager and go from there. I have and I am still doing it now.

Paul: No one knows how a person like me thinks because people can’t see my disability. I call my disability a hidden talent. That’s what people need.