Moving Forward

“We weren’t exactly sure where we were going but we were moving” Ms. Suganthi Murali, Maaya’s Mom

Maaya is a young woman of 17 years. Like most other young people, she has big dreams, hopes and desires for her future. Her family had been told early and often that, because she has Down syndrome, little could be expected for her and of her. Suganthi, Maaya’s mom, says the low expectations were reinforced by many professionals, who often focused on what she will not do, will not be, and will not have in her life. Maaya has, every step of the way, proven otherwise as she reaches out to make her mark on the world.

A quick study of human behaviour shows us that we step into the expectations that others hold of us. It is no different for Maaya. Her family and friends surrounded her with love and support for all her creative ideas, and she in turn proved a role model for others around her.

As she was just approaching the edge of adulthood, Maaya and her family took some time together to envision a bright future where Maaya’s growth would continue, and she would be fully able to offer her many gifts. We used a tool of Person-Centred Planning, known as PATH. A simple but engaging planning process, PATH shifts the conversation away from deficit-based thinking and towards to the focus person, in this case Maaya. In this unique process, Maaya, with supportive help from a circle of friends, neighbours, and family, crafted a desired future, and that picture came to vivid life when those who love her added their own details of a North Star vision. This experience had consequences, and, her mom says, it was a powerful jumpstart that kept things moving. This gathering and visioning was a catalyst that shook the

family to the core and helped them revise all they expected and wanted for Maaya.

Maaya took the lead in the process, bearing witness to the capacity of people to rise to the occasion, and guide us towards her future. Circle members were astonished to see Maaya’s leadership and confidence come through. PATH was timely and a powerful medium for Maaya to guide her supporters and shape her future. Maaya became assertive about what she wanted in life. She was ready to take on the world and take ownership of her life, for she was no different from other typical teenagers chasing their dreams. Exploring every opportunity that presented itself, she intensified her engagement in acting and theatre, and began to increase her closeness with the local teenage “girl gang”. Aspiring to be a chef, a choreographer, a fashion designer, or a graphic designer, she has set about equipping herself with skills needed to achieve these goals.

Many new adventures and experiences have filled her life, and with these many experiences come an array of choices. She knows now that she deserves to have what other young people around her have. She no longer looks on as others live full lives, but has seized the moment to jump in, immerse herself, and engage fully.

And as her PATH affirms, Maaya is standing on the edge of a bright and wondrous future. The courage and the confidence of her and those who love her deeply to step into that future gives us all the nudge we might need to step towards our own future.