Enabling Good Lives Forum Posted by Posted by Nicolina Newcombe on 15 June 2015 Posted on: 15 June 2015

Two distinguished public speakers with disability will be speaking at a set of free public meetings at the Ministry of Education Regional Office on Home Straight in Te Rapa, Hamilton. These will be from 1pm until 3pm, and 6pm until 8pm on Monday June 22.

Robert Martin is New Zealand’s candidate in the 2016 election for the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disability, and Michael Pulman, reporter for the Chiefs Rugby, the WRU, and Northern Districts Cricket.

 Robert Martin, a People First life member from Wanganui, will be talking about his journey, from living in an institution, to speaking at the United Nations. Robert is the first person with learning (intellectual) disability in the world to be nominated to a United Nations committee.

Robert has recently had a biography published called Becoming a Person, by John McRae, and was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for service to people with disability. He has a special interest in advocating for the rights of people who have significant communication differences.

Mike Pulman is a 23-year old disabled public speaker and student journalist. Mike has interviewed several NZ sports stars in the last year including All Black players Sonny Bill Williams and Aaron Cruden.

This event will celebrate the start of the Waikato demonstration of Enabling Good Lives. It will be of interest to anyone who is affected by disability, or would like to hear motivating and uplifting stories from two a great New Zealanders.

Enabling Good Lives is a new cross government initiative in the Waikato that offers disabled people and their family/whänau more choice and control over their support, so that they can plan for the lives they want.

For more information contact Loren Corbett on 07 957 1561 or 029 201 4780, or email enabling_good_lives_waikato@msd.govt.nz