Independent dependency - acquired deafblindness conference in Sweden
Joff McGill
The ninth international conference on acquired deafblindness took place in Lund, Sweden, from 7 - 10 November 2012. What a conference it was! So many new contacts, so much energy and enthusiasm generated, so much knowledge gained.
Exploring the theme of independent dependency, deafblind people highlighted how much courage it takes to seek dependence on others in order to achieve the independence you want.
Femke Krijger shared with us how much energy it takes her to be independent and how much she invests in relationships with those that support her so that she can lead the life she wants.
Jo said she didn’t want a professional “to take control of her life; she wanted someone to help her sort it out”. Our own Megan Mann responded suggesting that what is needed are professionals with a heart, staff who invest in relationships with honesty, respect, trust and a willingness to learn.
Bapin, from the States, Anne-Maj from Sweden and Zamir from India all touched on the role technology can play in every day life, enhancing independence, as long as it is understandable and manageable.
Professionals shared their challenges in working with other agencies and services (Norway), in providing support and services to agencies and individuals across an area the size of the EU (Western Australia), and in sharing knowledge and developing information (Norway and Netherlands).
Sense staff ran seven workshops celebrating our learning and practice, from staff development to social groups, from questioning how vulnerable deafblind people are to celebrating our forums for deafblind people, from validating screening tools to working effectively in teams containing hearing / sighted and sensory impaired colleagues.
It was a great week and much credit is due to the local organising committee in Sweden who organised the conference, and to our own Liz Duncan who chairs the Acquired Deafblindness Network and who with colleagues planned the whole thing. While it was hard work, it was also very enjoyable as we shared 'Fika' - basically coffee and cake - at almost every break, learnt some Swedish folk songs and to keep the British contingent happy, listened to Abba.
I can't wait until Belfast, 2014!
Joff McGill is Sense's Director of Information, Advice and Research
Comments
Tatiana Bagdasaryan
19 November 2012 - 3:12pm
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Thank you very much to all organisations for this Conference! I was alone from Russia. And it was the first time I participated at the Conference. I am very happy! I am very glad to meet deafblind people from many different countries.
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