Today is International Day of People With Disabilities, and this year’s theme is Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.
At The Wilf Ward Family Trust our mission is to enable the individuals we support to live full, independent, and empowered lives. So, this theme is truly a vision that resonates deeply with our values. As we reflect on this global observance, we celebrate the ways our commitment to Active Support helps amplify independence and autonomy for the people we support.
At the last Jigsaw meeting, we asked the Jigsaw Reps to define their BIG dreams, things they perhaps imagined it might not be possible to achieve. To connect with our wildest dreams is to step into the limitless realm of possibility, where imagination leads and boundaries dissolve. Connecting with these dreams requires courage – the courage to envision a life untethered by fear, and to embrace the vulnerability of wanting something extraordinary.
The answers given brought joy and sparked inspiration within the group:–
Carol said she would like to visit Blackpool, and visit an Elvis impersonator! Something that gave all of the group a chuckle.
Others included going on holiday/a cruise/to Disney World – travel tends to be a theme in many people’s BIG dreams.
There were also those who aspired to some career goals – like Pam, who dreams of working in a garden centre, of course – gardening is her favourite hobby so she would be naturally skilled at it too. And Stuart – who was inspired by Lewis’s work at York City Football Club – wants to volunteer at his local football ground. Yammy dreamed of being a volunteer at a confectioners, and Katie aspires to working with horses one day.
Talking about and sharing our wildest dreams with others doesn’t demand perfection or an immediate plan; it simply asks for belief. Some call it manifestation: bringing your desires into reality through visualisation and positive thinking.
By holding space for our wildest dreams, we plant seeds of possibility, giving them a chance to grow into realities that inspire not just ourselves, but others who dare to dream too.
So, on that note, we added our individuals’ BIG dreams to their Support Plans, and will work with them to achieve these goals. Through empowerment and encouragement to find their confidence to follow their dreams, we break down the barriers of exclusion in society.
This year’s focus on “Equity and Empowerment” for International Day of People With Disabilities challenges us all to think beyond accessibility to ensure that people with disabilities are leaders in shaping their futures.
You can watch the Dreaming BIG video on our YouTube channel by clicking here.