Presented by Richard Maguire and Jules O'Brien
A discussion about understanding and meetings needs when people are assessed to require robust design, adaptations or specialist safety features to support their health, wellbeing and independence.
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Neurodiverse Connection Associate
Uses ’he/him’ pronouns
Richard has been working with autistic people and people with learning disabilities throughout his career. He brings a wealth of experience and insights to working with individuals, and continues to provide support and mentoring to individuals and their teams.
Richard is an experienced speaker and trainer who uses his experience to share stories and insights about autism from a lived experience perspective. Richard shares some of his learning in his book I Dream In Autism.
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Outside of my home life I have 45 years of experience working in the care sector and started my journey firstly by training as a general nurse and then as a mental health nurse. Since then, I have also worked as a practice nurse, practice manager, deputy director for governance for the largest provider of out of hours care in the UK, a clinical auditor, trainer and ISO auditor. In 2001 I worked at a learning disability hospital, closing the wards and discharging the long-term patients into individual or group home settings. I have set up and ran an advocacy service taking on board citizen, self and group advocacy and I as I head towards my retirement I am working as an operations manager for the regulator of health care in England.
However, I am firstly a wife to Nick, mum to Fiona and Emily, step-mum to Matt and Joe, grandmother to my gorgeous grandchildren Chloe, William and Charlie and step-nanna to Isla.
William is a much loved, fun, and cheeky son, grandson, brother, nephew and cousin. William is autistic and was diagnosed when he was 2. He went to school and started in a special needs class, with some time mixing with other classes. When he was 6 he became mentally unwell and despite assessments, a psychologist living alongside him, videos of his behaviours being sent across the world and many, many interventions there is no firm mental health diagnosis. He became violent and dysregulated, refused to wear clothes, stopped using the toilet. Even with carers in the house it became too dangerous for William to stay at home and his sister (who is one year older) was at risk. He went into a respite unit and then to a specialist residential school. Unfortunately, he was then sectioned and transferred to a semi secure hospital at the age of 10. William was in hospital under section and spent years in long term segregation until his discharge to his bespoke home, close to family. He is now 18 years old and is enjoying life and it is wonderful to hear him laugh. He is thriving living in his own home with a caring and innovative support team.
I call myself “second in command” as William’s mum Fiona is always in charge. I act as William’s advocate and attend many of the meetings needed to ensure that his care is being delivered according to his wants and needs. I see my role as speaking out for William and am confident to challenge when needed but also to give praise when it is due. I love all my grandchildren equally with all my heart and my hope for them all is that they will be happy in life.