United Voice: 3rd NSAC-3rd Day, Morning Session

Yesterday night, we had some free time so about 12 of us including 4 from Kangaroo Club walked about 1 hour to Plaza Gurney!! So I woke up today with 2 aching feet!! hahahaha Next time we will take the cab!!

Had mee hoon for breakie today. Talked to a lady from PDK Sri Chepa, Kelantan. She was asking me about registering the self-advocacy group there. I told her no need to rush. She thought every SA group have to be registered! hahaha She felt so relieved after I told her that. But it's good that she thought about it....maybe in the future...... then Peter Young's dream will be one step closer to reality! ;P

Ms Rie Arihara

Maki (L) & Taka (R)

Today's session started with Ms Rie Arihara from Kanagawa University, Japan talking about Group homes in Japan. She's a collaborator of residents-committee members of "Society of Japan Group Home". Then 2 self-advocates, Mr Maki Shoichi & Ms Nagata Taka, both from Yokohama shared about thier experience, pros & cons of staying in a group home.

Sabri(L) & Izwan (R) with Hasra from ACS who is the MC

Sabri & Izwan from Mutiara Voice Club then shared about their experience staying outside on their own. Both of them are paying RM250 each for rent plus RM50 for utilities bill. They have dreams of saving up money to buy their own house. Many participants are impressed that they can stay on their own.

After tea break..... the session was one of their favourite topic. Mr Stephen Chow who has ataxic cerebral palsy shared about Marriage. He has been married for 9 years and has 3 children. He stressed that to get married you have to be responsible and it's not easy bringing up a child. As expected, Johari was very excited.......Esther shared that she likes to get married and Eugene......ermmm. Even Fadzillah shared that as a parent with a learning disbaility child she worrys if her son-in-law can take care of her daughter or not. She's eyeing some potential son-in-law at this conference!

This was the last session for the conference. After lunch we were divided into groups for outing. Some went to Butterfly Farm, Fadz, Siti, Esther & Nazmi went to the Muzium. Johari, David, Hooi Ting, Felicia and I went to Penang Hill. Had a great time there. Managed to talk to 2 ladies from PDK Besut, Terengganu. They can't seem to wait to form a self-advocacy group there. I told them don't worry if they need help we can send them some materials. And I think United Voice are invited to Terengganu for a ceramah in March.........

Came back from the outing, took a nap and then got ready for the Dinner & Dance. Will write another blog on that. Tomorrow will be the closing ceremony. Time flies..............