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.
