[OSList] Question about OST meetings/conferences including people with disabilities

[Harrison Owen]

Rochelle - Great to see you here, and welcome! I am sure that Lisa Heft for
one, and I am sure many others will have useful stuff for you. And I have a
question. You said something about "Although this isn't a real life
situation." and I am wondering - why not? Surely the clients think their
lives are real as also the staff. And no matter where you are, the issues of
life usually stare you in the face J One thing I have learned for sure -
don't try a "pretend" Open Space. The usual result is that people go through
the motions and at the end of the day (or whatever time period) come away
with a "Is this all there is?" sort of feeling. And of course, when you are
"pretending" - that's all there is, and it ain't much. Maybe pretend is the
wrong word and I should be talking about "demonstrating" Open Space. You
really can't do that for a simple reason. Open Space runs on passion and
responsibility - both of which are (usually) absent in any demonstration or
"pretend" situation. So do it for real. 

 

I don't know your community, but I will bet my last dollar (your kind or
mine) that there are real, hot issues in the community you serve. I don't
know what they are, but I am sure you do. Things like respect, service,
resources - something that people care about, and of equal importance,
something they can solve, or at least make better by working together.

 

I haven't done much, personally, in communities like yours, but the little
experience I have had tells me that somewhere under the surface are a whole
bunch of issues around Learned Helplessness - just for openers. And I do
know that when the differently abled are invited to share their knowledge
and insights, the results can be amazing. In one situation I remember, (and
it was in an Open Space) Mary Sue, who hadn't spoken to anybody in years -
suddenly came out with a lot of feeling along with great ideas for helping
the community (staff and clients) provide more challenging space for people
to grow in - assuming responsibility and helping themselves. It was quite a
revolution. Suddenly poor old Mary Sue with an IQ of minimal proportions was
the teacher and guide. Blew some folks away!

 

Anyhow, have fun. I know you will.

 

Harrison 

 

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

 

189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)

Camden, Maine 20854

 

Phone 301-365-2093

(summer)  207-763-3261

 

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)

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From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Rochelle
England
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 7:33 PM
To: oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Subject: [OSList] Question about OST meetings/conferences including people
with disabilities

 

Hi

 

I'm new to the OS list, living in Wollongong NSW Australia. I attended a
couple of OS conferences (eg. Chicago) and training about late 1990's-2000.
I am currently studying social work and working on an assignment with a case
study involving community development - focusing on the needs of ageing
people with developmental disabilities in a rural community.

 

I would like to include a planning event using OST. Does anyone have
experience that would be relevant? 

I am wondering about the logistics involved in inclusion of people with
developmental delay in the planning. The people in the case study have been
doing some cafe and gardening work and live in a group home run by a
charity.

 

Although this isn't a real life situation, I feel that the experience of
working it up could become an opportunity to offer an OST approach to the
community.

 

Thanks in anticipation

 

Rochelle England

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