Living with disability: using SFBT to discover how to live welL Conference 2019: ‘Solution Focused practice, mind health and wellbeing’. Presenter : Cate Walton

Outline This discussion will: begin with introducing myself and why I’m discussing this topic Consider what “disability” means Explore what I think are the tenets of solution-focused thinking Offer suggestions as to how Solution-Focused thinking might help and support people living well within the realities of their lives

introducing me why I’m discussing this topic? My name is Cate Walton I am a Trauma Survivor, Mother, Wife, ex-wife, daughter, sister, friend, auntie … My learning has included these trainings: life … Also Registered Nurse, Early childhood teacher, Plunket Nurse, Master of Nursing, Master of Counselling I live with ongoing health issues that affect my ability to do some of the things we take for granted The Main one is Multiple Sclerosis

What is disability According to many definitions, a disability is an ‘impairment’ that may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or some combination of these. Other definitions describe disability as the societal disadvantage arising from such impairments. Disability substantially affects a person's life activities and may be present from birth or occur during a person's lifetime. The social construction of disability is the idea that disability is constructed as the social response to a deviance from the norm.  Impairment = any loss or abnormality of physiological, psychological, or anatomical structure or function. This can be permanent or temporary. This loss results in a change to what is considered to be expected functionality of the body or mind

What is Solution-Focused thinking Change is constant and inevitable The past cannot be changed we need to look to a preferred future Solution-focused thinking is about moving forward People are the experts in their own lives Therefore those in the helping professions cannot be the expert Recognising what is right is more important than recognising what is wrong People have skills, strengths and resources they have used these before and can utilise them again

What might Solution-focused thinking look like? THE SOuLUTION WHISPERER - Dr Jacqui von Cziffra-Bergs The Solution-Focused Heart The solution-focused eye The solution-focused ear The solution-focused tongue

The Solution-Focused Heart Believes that every person is wonderful and resourceful Finds the Resilience in the person and believes in that resilience Believes in that every person has an inner hero Believes that people can thrive … even with disability Searchers for what is most impressive about the person

The Solution-Focused eye Looks past the problem Looks beyond the disability Looks / searches for signs of strengths recovery / resilience Looks for coping Looks for the hero

SOLUTION-focused EAR Listens deeply and openly to the person and not problem: To the strengths and the resources To what the person values To what is important to the person

The solution-focused Tongue Amplifies hopes, strengths, coping and resilience Favours presence of solutions rather than absence of problems NB: Pain and Loss are always Acknowledged But coping is privileged We focus of the getting through … this Reframes experience by summarizing resilience and coping We ask Not knowing questions – How – we seek the Hope and courage Pre-suppositions – presupposes success … presupposes coping and strength … “Language creates reality rather than describes it.” - Steve de Shazer

I Have options about how I live my life Sad / sorry-for- myself / victim Angry / victim / blaming I’ve got this!

Conclusion Elliott encourages us to notice what’s right in your life notice the good in your life And he’s right! This is what I’ve learnt if i live my life looking for problems, that’s what i’ll notice. What I want instead is … To live my life looking for exceptions and beauty and strengths and positivity that’s what I notice and that makes the harder days better and the best days great