“Small or big, I want to make decisions about my life, so do other disabled people. My life, my choice!” Says Vincenzo (Vinny).
Viewers got a glimpse into the lives of people who use supported decision-making that help them live their best life. This included a presentation by Vinny and a video submitted by Noah, Lily and Isaac. All of whom belong to our Down Syndrome Community.
“When people with Down Syndrome do things, it’s called supported decision-making. When my sister does the same thing, it’s called chatting with her friends,” Vinny says.
“I like to talk to people about my choices. Sometimes I need more communication, or I might need someone to answer questions or explain things in more detail.”
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It's my right to make decisions for my life.
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Why it’s important for me to make decisions?
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to be independent to have a better life, to be respected.
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It is my right to make decisions.
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It show people trust me and know I have the right ability to make decisions.
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I have been making decisions since I was little.
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And when making them daily, some are small or some are big, but they are.
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They all help me to live a good life!
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I’d like to share some decisions that have helped me to learn and achieve my dreams.
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I wanted to learn how to ride a bike.
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I achieved you must achieve them.
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I received an award from NZDSA.
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I decided I want to be a leader.
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A leader and speak up for people with Down Syndrome so I became a
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student councillor I did what my friends did at school.
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this is this is my beautiful wife Rachel.
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We
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started dating then I proposed and in we got married in Havelock North
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I attended the NZDSA self advocacy workshops.
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I am now the third member of NZDSA membership university group.
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I decided I wanted a car.
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My sister bought a car together.
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Community is important to me.
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I decided who I’d be friends with, and what social events I attend.
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I started my own business.
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All sell on Trade me, and I and have other business ENZO, where I make truffles.
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This is my favourite.
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I have developed my business into a cafe for in the future.
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I am in the final stages for my barista course.
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Rachel.
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And I live in our own Flat.
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We made
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decisions a about where we live and our home so It meets our needs.
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My Life!
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My choice!
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Small or big.
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I want to make my own decisions about my life.
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So do other disabled people.
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Sometimes I need support and that’s okay.
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Supported decision making, just like you, sometimes when I need to make decisions, I
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like to talk to people about my choices.
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Sometimes
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like you I need more communication.
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Or like you, I might need someone to answer questions or explain things in more detail.
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When people with Down syndrome and do things, it is called supported decision making.
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When my siser.
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She does the same thing.
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It is chatting with her friends.
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For both of us.
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It it's about making choices and having control over our own life.
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It allows me to have more choice and control of my life.
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And I get to make decisions that will allow me to have a good life!
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o Thank you, Ka kite ano!
Vinny reminded people, like everyone else he’d been making decisions since he was little, and it’s always been about having choice and control over his own life. From small decisions like red shoes and sophisticated bomber jackets to larger ones like getting his own car and proposing to his wife; Vinny has made them all.
“I decided I wanted to be a leader and speak up for people with Down Syndrome, so I became a student councillor. I am now a proud member of the NZDSA membership university group.”
“I make truffles and sell them on Trade me, and I am in the final stages of completing my barista course.”
Don’t be surprised if you see Vinny running his own business, as he shared his dream to one day manage his own café.
“It’s my right to make decisions for my life,” he says.
Feeling empowered and inspired? Check out our friends Lily, Noah and Isaac talk about how supported decision-making has shaped where they live and work.
