The Truth & Reconciliation Forums were co-led by a START provider and a person with lived experience of IDD-MH.
During the Truth & Reconciliation Forums, the co-facilitators with IDD-MH shared their own stories about getting involved in research. This showed other young adults with IDD-MH that it was possible to get involved in research.
The two images below show Lauren’s story, a co-facilitator, about getting involved in research. She shared the strategies she used to be a part of our team. She said “I worried about whether or not I could be successful in doing this. It was kind of, like, I did not know what to expect, but now I know that it’s pretty much over. I’m excited to do it, but I’m a little bit nervous. I have my sidekick, Jeremy, and he would never let me down. I have my mother. She will do everything/anything for me. Marya also gives me ideas to make the presentation work better.”
The young adults with lived experience of IDD-MH told us that co-leading the Truth & Reconciliation Forums helped them learn new skills:
“(I learned) to be a better facilitator, taught me how to prepare and lead a forum. Gave me a lot of experience. Something I’m grateful for.”
– Truth & Reconciliation co-facilitator with IDD-MH
“… it means I can do something independently without my parents.”
– Truth & Reconciliation co-facilitator with IDD-MH