Olivia’s experience at the AGOSCI conference

Olivia Rowswell, is an NDIS participant who worked as a Co-Designer with Aruma on delivering the Power to You Project.

She recently attended the AGOSCI Conference with Marissa Carlyon, Aruma’s Regional Manager NSW/Queensland for Therapeutics and her team. Olivia gave a presentation sharing her story and discussing the importance of enabling risk.

Olivia has prepared the below reflection on the day… 

Hi I’m Olivia.  I’m a self-advocate. I have experience with guardianship, but now I make my own decisions with support. Even risky ones! 

I am a volunteer leader.  I am an artistic skater. I have just co-presented at the AGOSCI conference about enabling risk with Marissa the Regional Manager for Therapy in QLD/NSW. We presented in the big auditorium, this was the largest audience I have presented to.  

I absolutely loved Adelaide and AGOSCI! 

You can learn more about my story through this animation that was made as part of the Power to You project. I was an employed as a co-designer in this project.   

Tell us a fun thing about yourself….  

• I am nicknamed ‘The Cat Whisperer’ because all cats love me!  

What are three words that describe your experience presenting and attending AGOSCI conference. 

• Exciting, Interesting, Fun! 

Who was your favourite speaker at the conference?  

• Jordyn Zimmerman – She is a passionate presenter and advocate with lived experience of using AAC and is very knowledgeable. She has a Bachelors in Education Policy, Masters of Education and Masters of Business Administration. I went to all of her presentations, and she was funny and engaging. Her determination really inspired me.    

What was your conference highlight? 

• Everyone involved in the conference was really lovely and I made some new friends. I also enjoyed the Conference Dinner of course! There was a lot of dancing and laughing.   

Is there anything else you’d like to say or share? 

• One of the presenters used a quote from the Ted Lasso TV Show/Walt Whitman: “Be curious, not judgmental”, and I think that really sums up my AGOSCI experience. It opened my eyes to what people can do when they have the right support in place.