Margaret Ward

Margaret Ward raised her daughter Mena, who had multiple disabilities, to believe she could have a life like her brother and sister.  In her short life (she died at the age of 30), Mena went to a regular school, worked in open employment and lived in her own home for 11 years.  She showed others what was possible with a strong and positive vision of a good life and a family willing to break with tradition.

Mena’s legacy lives on through the many people with disability and their families who met her and saw what was possible. With the help of creative professionals, paid support workers, and her circle of family and friends, Mena was able to stay in her own home to the end of her life.

As part of that legacy, Margaret worked with over 50 people with disability, their families, and support workers to develop the Seven Steps to Self-Direction.  People across Australia now use this resource to bring their teams together to build good lives for people with disability.

The secrets of fabulous skin self-direction

Margaret Ward raised her daughter Mena, who had multiple disabilities, to believe she could have a life like her brother and sister. In her thirty short years, Mena went to a regular school, worked in open employment, and lived in her own home for 11 years. She showed others what was possible with a strong and positive vision of a good life and a family willing to break with tradition.

This kind of self-direction requires work, commitment, and vigilance, and, as Marg explained, it’s helpful to know some tricks of the trade.

In this presentation, Marg shared her secrets of self-direction, accrued through her personal experience and understanding of what makes a rich and full life for a person with a disability. She encouraged the audience to “get going and learn on the job”. By the end of this session, you’ll never underestimate the power of families with a positive vision and a plan.

Learn about the other conference speakers and their presentations

Pre-conference webinars

• Webinar 1 – Decision-making in everyday life – Janet Klees
• Webinar 2 – Medical safeguarding – Jo Massarelli and Cathy Ludlum
• Webinar 3 – Now is the time for vision – Darcy Elks

Main conference

• Never too late to get a life – Cathy McMahon and Josey McMahon
• The secrets of fabulous skin self-direction – Margaret Ward
• What happens when I cark it? – Linda Hughes
• Planning ahead: Safeguarding decision-making – Helen Connolly
• The importance of trust and relationship in supported decision-making – Kim Roots
• Dream big! – Laura Esplin and Bernadette Esplin
• Building bridges to neighbourhood – Sarah Faulkner
• Safeguarding a Micro Enterprise for the future – Helen Neale
• Finding and safeguarding a job – Jan Kruger
• What’s the plan? Estate planning consideration for parents and carers – Stacey Bell
• Passing on the “How”: A sibling’s journey – Rebecca Altaffer
• It’s a long game: Planning for a great future for Valen in a constantly changing world – Ann Greer, Valen Litster, and Sally Aubrey
• How to set your Executor up for success – Stacey Bell
• Safeguarding the future: A sibling’s perspective – Libby Ellis
• Dispelling myths about the Disability Support Pension, Rent Assistance, and employment income – Paul Kruger
• Your money, your future – Carolina Albornoz
• Helping relationships flourish – Tim Bavinton
• Who is the person behind the behaviour, and what do they need? – Kane Morgan
• Safeguarding Isaac’s good life through a Service for One – Sheree Henley
• Emma Davidson MLA
• Planning future finances – Chris Oates
• Crafting and safeguarding a meaningful week for Cameron – Karen Caldwell, Cameron Zellner, and Markus Zellner