Valen Litster

Valen Litster is a 42-year-old man who lives in Townsville, North Queensland.  He has always been a truly valued member of his family despite his complex disability and the level of support that he needs to have a good life.

Val loves to work with tools and has made many beautiful things with support, including outdoor furniture and household items.  He is very proud of his work.  Val and his team hope to start a small micro-business selling his handmade items.  He also owns a coffee machine, which he operates in conjunction with Skills NQ (a local Townsville organisation). He maintains and stocks the machine, while Skills NQ pays for the coffee supplies and maintenance of the machine. Valen receives a small income from this arrangement. 

Valen defines a good life as seeing his family regularly, doing things that give him pleasure, having the support he needs from people who truly respect and understand him, and spending time in the outdoors. 

Valen has recently started presenting in public about his life; a life that is extraordinary because it is so ordinary. Valen’s severe communication impairment requires an innovative approach to enhance his relationships, communicate his thoughts and feelings, and build his profile in the Townsville community. Val’s team is currently focused on building a communication system to make this a reality.

It’s a long game: Planning for a great future for Valen in a constantly changing world

Valen Litster – a man with a severe communication impairment – opened this session using a slideshow to tell the audience about his present-day life. Val was involved in developing the captions for the slide show with the support of his family and team.

Ann Greer, Valen’s mother, discussed the past experiences, challenges, and strategies that have helped Valen become the happy man and good citizen he is today. With her signature candour, Ann shared her family’s questions and thoughts about Valen’s future when he will need help from people other than his parents.

Sally Aubrey is one of Valen’s two sisters. She discussed her thoughts on growing up in a family where lots of time and attention went elsewhere and her future support of her brother and sister. This plan is not fully formulated but is still under construction.

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