|
 |
Profiles of Courage
BOB SMITH
He cannot speak, walk or care for himself, but words give voice to his emotions. Bob Smith is a 43-year-old man with cerebral palsy. He was raised in an institution where he was often neglected because he couldn't make his most basic needs known. And from time to time, he was abused. But Bob is a poet who has learned the power of self-expression.
At age 22, Bob moved into a group home sponsored by Westchester ARC. There he found a supportive staff willing to get to know him. One of the agency's speech therapists discovered that Bob had taught himself to read and designed a communications board that enabled him to better interact with those around him. He uses his right thumb to point to letters and words displayed on his wheelchair's lap board. The process is laborious for Bob, whose motions are not fluid, and the "listener" needs time and patience.
A person centered plan was begun with Bob in January of 2001. During the process, his circle discovered that not only could he communicate but that he had written poetry. The facilitator helped the team to brainstorm ways in which Bob's work could be promoted. At first the planning focused on putting the poems together in an appealing format. Gradually the idea of a book emerged. Other uses for the poems, calendars, cards etc. were also discussed. It was decided to concentrate on copyrighting and publishing a selection of the poems.
The Westchester ARC staff then collected his work into an anthology, Reflections of My Life, with themes spanning institutional life, the experience of having cerebral palsy and the desire to advocate on behalf of others with disabilities. Cards composed of poems and nature photographs were printed. Another product was also created, Bobs poems were superimposed over nature photographs and then matted ready for framing.
Bob's writing ranges across loneliness, despair, dreams and kindness.
With the aid of the agency's Life Planning Center, Bob has now launched a business venture in order to publish his work. Westchester ARC also helped him to obtain a state-of-the-art Dynavox voice synthesizer. Using a wand attached to a headband, Bob points to menus displaying letters, numbers, words and phrases that are translated into digitized "speech." No longer restricted to communicating with individuals who can lean over his lap board, Bob can address large audiences.
"My book is very important to me," says Bob. "I want people to know about me and my work. I want them to understand me better, and I want them to understand cerebral palsy. I am writing for all people with cerebral palsy."
In addition to selling his books, Bob has given poetry readings, and is currently creating material to be used in training professionals about working with people who have disabilities. A short video has been produced about Bob and person centered planning.
Bob Smith is accomplished as both a published poet, a lecturer and teacher of disability issues. Contact Bob Smith via Ralph Szur at: 914-949-9300 ext. 3002
|
