CPSN was delighted to attend the CPEC Gala at the MCG in June, an evening filled with entertainment, camaraderie, and celebration. Our table included office staff, two of our SIL clients, and their Support Workers. The event was highlighted by a captivating speech by our very own client, Brenton, who served as the evening's Guest Speaker.
Brenton's speech was a great blend of humour, insight, and encouragement! He shared personal anecdotes about his life with cerebral palsy, his experiences navigating challenges, and his unwavering determination to make a positive impact on his community.
We thank and commend Brenton on his many accomplishments and contributions to the community. His speech at the CPEC gala had the whole room laughing and absolutely uplifted. We can’t wait to see what Brenton does next.
He has generously written an article for us to share which we are delighted to publish below with permission.
"My name is Brenton I am 26 years old, and I am very active and involved in my community, I love car engines, having a chat, the Western Bulldogs and I have cerebral palsy. I was diagnosed with CP at a very early age. CP affects my way of thinking by slowing down the information from my brain to my body. This affects my walking, balance, speech, and physical ability. It has been very challenging for me to accept my disability, but I am happy with who I am. My CP does not stop me from being part of my community.
I communicate with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) through a speech generating device called a tobii.
The Cerebral Palsy Education Centre has been in my life since I was 2 years old through kindergarten, primary school, secondary school and now. They have supported me to be the person who I am today. They have been with me everywhere I go. This includes physiotherapists, occupational and speech therapists. It is through all their family centred early intervention support that I am able to do what I do today.
As a child, I joined the Go Zone gymnastics at Boroondara Sports Complex. Later, I became a volunteer coach, using my Tobii device to give feedback. I have been a volunteer coach for over five years, and I was an assistant floor manager at the 2022 Gymnastics Nationals Competition, loving every moment.
I fundraise for CPEC and run in the Melbourne Marathon, last year I completed my 15th mini marathon and earning the blue Spartan singlet. I participate in a Creative Arts program at YDNA, focusing on animation and photography, and attend Kevin Heinz Grow. I volunteer as a laundry attendant at the RSPCA in Burwood and in the workshop at Collingwood Animal Farm.
I am involved with airsticks and form a band to perform to the public. Airsticks are an electronic instrument that turns your movement into sounds. All I can say is watch out Jimmy Barnes- here I come!
I want to help improve the lives of people with disabilities through research. As a CP Achieve Advisor, I want to make sure AAC users' voices are heard in research. I co-authored a research paper, "Can You Hear Us," published in an international journal. We research why and how people who are AAC users should be included in research.
This year, I advised third-year architectural design students at Melbourne University in the "Making Space for Everyone" program. Using my lived experience, I provided valuable feedback to help design inclusive spaces for people with disabilities for a medical centre.
All my supports through CPEC, CPSN, YDNA, Gymnastics Victoria, have helped me be a valued community member, leading to several awards: the 2023 Boroondara Youth of the Year and the 2024 Boroondara Citizen of the Year. These awards recognize important community contributions, particularly my work with Go Zone Gymnastics. I am a local volunteer, athlete, and fundraiser. In August 2024, I will present at the awards, announcing the new winner and sharing my experience as the 2024 Citizen of the Year.
I received the Person with a Lived Experience – Outstanding Contribution Award from the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. This award recognizes my efforts in promoting health and wellbeing, my contributions to AAC use and educational resources, and my participation in research.
Through the International Day of People with a disability I wrote a story for National volunteer week to show how the power of getting involved in the community and that if given a chance anyone with a disability can contribute.
I was a guest speaker at the Society 5.0 Ethics RMIT Conference -Creative Application of AI and empowering people with a disability. Through my training with photography and animation at YDNA, I presented about my views on Artificial Intelligence and how this can help people with complex communication needs.
I will continue volunteering with the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre, Gymnastics Victoria, and Cerebral Palsy Achieve. I also starting a blog about community accessibility. I hope to see greater acceptance and job opportunities for people with disabilities.
I hope after reading my story you will believe that you too can achieve and what you might think is impossible is possible through passion, patience and persistence."
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