Key Beliefs that Personal Support Networking
Key beliefs that promote Personal Support Networking include: Everyone is ready for relationships; we don’t need a program, or a pre-friendship course. Friendships and social connections are a right and fulfill a deep human need and longing for connection. This isn’t about disability; this is about humanness and that has nothing to do with how we get around, how we communicate or how we’ve been labelled. The labels we give people usually prevent us from truly knowing them. Community is a powerful source of solutions, ideas, and answers and generally should be our first resort. Systems have their benefits but they also have their limitations. All our good intentions may in fact be the problem! Money is not the primary resource needed to fulfill a desire for friendships and social connections. People with developmental disabilities have gifts, abilities, capacities and are important citizens of our communities. Risk and rejection are part of making connections in the world. It is typical for all of us to have these experiences and there is dignity in taking these risks. Experiences, opportunities, and relationships are all connected to each other. The more experiences and opportunities a person has, the greater likelihood they will have relationships. The ability to form a friendship or social connection has nothing to do with a person’s intellectual abilities, economic contribution or education. Forming a connection is a result of ease and comfort growing between people, that builds over time into a relationship. Sometimes we will know things are going to work; sometimes we won’t. What is important is to continue to explore opportunities and keep trying. Supporting relationship building and social connections does not come with a precise guide, roadmap, or rule book. We have to trust the process. There is a stark difference between being “IN” community and truly “OF”community. Living in community has not always meant having a full life. People with developmental disabilities are motivated to participate and deeply desire friendships and social connections. Relationships are as unique as the individuals participating in them. A person’s vision of social connections and personal supports may be very different from what we assume it to be. The process must be guided by the individual you are supporting. Their goals, ideas and gifts are the heart of the work
