The Principles of Self-Determination

Many people born with disabilities grow up in loving environments where well-meaning family members and care givers automatically make basic everyday decisions for them such as where to live, who to live with, what to wear, what to eat and who will provide basic care services. Their intentions are generally good and their actions are often based on love and concern, but many families develop the conviction that their son, daughter, brother, sister, parent or other relative can never live away from home or have a job, get married, be active in the community, etc.

l lived in institutions and group homes for 32 years, so the path to self-determination has been a long one. Thanks to the many people who supported me in achieving my goals, I now live a life that I control, and along the way I created my business, Get a Life in Texas, that helps other people do the same thing.

The five principles below were created to help define the most important elements of a self-determined life:

Freedom, our basic right, yet we are often denied it. To me, freedom means being able to make you own choices, living where you want to live and hiring your own staff. I had envisioned that moment for so long. Freedom also means being able to make decisions such as what to eat, where to go and when to go to bed!

Authority is important because it allows us to spend public dollars in ways that are best and most meaningful to us. The money must "follow the person" from the institution or nursing home or group home into the community and into homes or apartments of our own. In Texas where I live the cost for my care in the community cannot be more than the cost to keep me in an institution, but after many years on a waiting list I now have control!

The people that Support us in our lives must be carefully chosen…by us! I have a business support team that advises me according to self-determination principles. Most importantly, there is NOTHING ABOUT ME WITHOUT ME!

Next comes Responsibility. I have an individualized budget that can meet my needs and my “wants." By following it, I can wisely use the money the government spends on me. I also try to participate in my community, when possible…if there is transportation!

Along with responsibility is Confirmation. This means that I am a leader with self-determination and need to spread the word to others. I do everything I can to educate and mentor others to help them take control of the important decisions in their lives just as I did. One way I do this is by serving on boards and committees of disability organizations. Another way I do this is with my business, Get A Life In Texas!

Please contact me at ricky@getalifeintexas.com for more information about my business or self-determination. You can also go to the contact page for other ways to reach me. I would love to talk with you about how YOU can have self-determination in your life or that of someone you know.



Be self-determined!
Ricky