‘Searching for Authentic ChangeGetting the Head and the Heart
Together’.
Dare to dream;
by Jenni Heckendorf
Not many people know this but I
was inspired by Sharon, my
bride doll.
She was all dressed in white
with a long white veil. She had
long brown which I used to
brush for hours. I brushed it so
much most of it fell out.
I decided Sharon was going to
be a beautiful bride and a good
homemaker. I wanted to be like
“Sharon”.
I think I have achieved
those two things in my
own way.
I moved from the hostel
to a 24hr supported group
home.
Since then I’ve lived in
private and public rented
accommodation with my
husband of 15 years
The Spastic Centre of N.S.W
The Centre consisted of 2
hostels, 2 special schools and a
very large sheltered workshop.
I felt more restricted in the group
home than I did in the hostel.
I found the one on one staff
more intense in the group home
than in the hostel.
Attitudes.
Many people fought the
therapies and
constrictions of the
braces, rules and
regulations of the Spastic
Centre.
I accepted most of them and looked
at the positives of the therapies
perhaps one day making me better.
Although I detested many of them,
they probably made me a better
person in the end.
I did not accept everything and the
things I did not accept I tried to
change. From a young age, I joined
committees, residents committees,
sports committees, even committees
to discuss the menus at the Hostel.
I also looked at staying
at the Hostel in the most
positive way we could.
Looking back at our own
lives if I was to stay at
home, I would probably
be stuck in a lounge
chair watching daytime
TV.
Decisions
Because I didn’t want to be the
oldest one in the school, I didn’t
do years 11 and 12.
Looking back on that decision, I
often wonder how it would have
changed my life.
I decided to concentrate on my
personal goals.
Freedom
Living in the hostel and group
home, I was made to do what
other people thought I should
do.
When we were married and we
moved into our own home, it
took time before I felt
comfortable asking for help.
Now I think I am often better at
this than David.
Epilepsy has stopped me from
reading for long periods of time.
Through listening to David talk
about his studies in philosophy,
sociology and the law, I have
learnt many things.
I look at things in different ways.
Accepting the ways people live
in different societies and
cultures. Yet, realizing law is
what rules our culture.
I take an interest in many
things outside the house.
I have completed several
courses in writing and have
a university diploma in Fine
Arts.
I enjoy people. Art,
photography in particular.
Expressing myself through
pictures and by the spoken
word, such as short prose
and poetry.
People might think being a
homemaker, and going out and
socializing on occasions is an
easy life.
I do it to educate the public and
myself about the differences in
social and emotional issues. As
many of you will agree, being a
homemaker is tough. I think I do
a pretty good job of it despite
many disabilities.
We can all “make a change”
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Work, If you can.
Join committees
even by sending your written
ideas.
Participate in courses or groups
Write, poetry, prose.
DARE TO DREAM