Inspiring Hope in Northern Qld
Donation protected
My name is Rodney Mills. You can also call me Rod. I am a 38 year old man with Autism and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD. However, I want to convey very strongly that my life is not about my diagnosis -that I’m an intelligent person who really wishes to inspire others to follow my example and live a meaningful life when the odds are stacked against you.
For most of my life, I did not have a functional system of communication which was frustrating. I was thought to have a profound intellectual disability with not much hope for my future. Most of the schools and services I attended, just lumped me into groups of people with labels as well. I was segregated and transported around the same places which often left me feeling like I was not entitled to have any say over my life as I was not considered capable of having any input.
My various ‘behaviours’ continued to escalate from childhood right through to adulthood. These impulses, urges and persisting thoughts refused to go away. My OCD was like a monster that threatened me with all sorts of frightening scenarios that would happen if I didn’t obey. My family were constantly on edge and the more anxious they got, the more anxious I became. I also had no way of communicating how sorry I was. People also misinterpreted my body language or facial expressions to think that I was just being naughty or sadistic.
Then my family and I finally got the right support where people started to focus on my gifts and potential. We were also encouraged to look at different ways of understanding my behaviours and to see them as a form of communication frustration. My family and I were also better educated about Autism, anxiety and OCD, and how these were common and inter-linked.
Fortunately, others could also see that my communication needs were not met and suggested I try Facilitated Communication Training (FCT). This helped me to type out my thoughts and regain control of my body to communicate my thoughts and feelings. I was now in the command driver position of my body, instead of letting my body have this final control with its involuntary movements.
I could now tell mum “I love you”, have the talks I always wanted to have, and most importantly I could make choices and be involved in meetings and planning my future. To finally have the voice to express my needs was the biggest breakthrough of my life. I felt in charge of my life. I loved talking to others getting to be actively involved in conversations. This made me feel like I was equal with others.
I then started to work in a paid job teaching FCT to others. In addition to this, I started my own business teaching and presenting to the wider community. I have travelled around Australia and the world to present my story and give others hope.
I have also been traveling to regional areas in Queensland over the past few years to present to those who normally wouldn’t have an opportunity to come and see me. THIS IS WHERE I NEED YOUR HELP!!!
I AM PLANNING A TRIP TO TOWNSVILLE IN LATE APRIL SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO SHARE MY STORY AND INSPIRE OTHERS. WE ARE HOPING TO RAISE $5000 TO ASSIST IN TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION COSTS.
In addition to this, I would like to offer some incentives to those who help with donations:
- Donations between $1 - $20 will receive a personal thankyou card written and signed by me.
- Donations between $20 - $40 will receive a personal video thankyou message from me
- Donations between $40 - $60 will receive a 15 – 30 minute video chat from me
- Donations between $60 - $100 (or over) will receive either a personal visit (if practical – Brisbane and Townsville Residents only or a 30 – 60 minute video chat.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE by visiting my website at www.rodneymills.com.au to keep updated!!!
THANKYOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND SUPPORT FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO INSPIRE HOPE AND VISION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AND THEIR FAMILIES
REGARDS,
ROD
For most of my life, I did not have a functional system of communication which was frustrating. I was thought to have a profound intellectual disability with not much hope for my future. Most of the schools and services I attended, just lumped me into groups of people with labels as well. I was segregated and transported around the same places which often left me feeling like I was not entitled to have any say over my life as I was not considered capable of having any input.
My various ‘behaviours’ continued to escalate from childhood right through to adulthood. These impulses, urges and persisting thoughts refused to go away. My OCD was like a monster that threatened me with all sorts of frightening scenarios that would happen if I didn’t obey. My family were constantly on edge and the more anxious they got, the more anxious I became. I also had no way of communicating how sorry I was. People also misinterpreted my body language or facial expressions to think that I was just being naughty or sadistic.
Then my family and I finally got the right support where people started to focus on my gifts and potential. We were also encouraged to look at different ways of understanding my behaviours and to see them as a form of communication frustration. My family and I were also better educated about Autism, anxiety and OCD, and how these were common and inter-linked.
Fortunately, others could also see that my communication needs were not met and suggested I try Facilitated Communication Training (FCT). This helped me to type out my thoughts and regain control of my body to communicate my thoughts and feelings. I was now in the command driver position of my body, instead of letting my body have this final control with its involuntary movements.
I could now tell mum “I love you”, have the talks I always wanted to have, and most importantly I could make choices and be involved in meetings and planning my future. To finally have the voice to express my needs was the biggest breakthrough of my life. I felt in charge of my life. I loved talking to others getting to be actively involved in conversations. This made me feel like I was equal with others.
I then started to work in a paid job teaching FCT to others. In addition to this, I started my own business teaching and presenting to the wider community. I have travelled around Australia and the world to present my story and give others hope.
I have also been traveling to regional areas in Queensland over the past few years to present to those who normally wouldn’t have an opportunity to come and see me. THIS IS WHERE I NEED YOUR HELP!!!
I AM PLANNING A TRIP TO TOWNSVILLE IN LATE APRIL SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO SHARE MY STORY AND INSPIRE OTHERS. WE ARE HOPING TO RAISE $5000 TO ASSIST IN TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION COSTS.
In addition to this, I would like to offer some incentives to those who help with donations:
- Donations between $1 - $20 will receive a personal thankyou card written and signed by me.
- Donations between $20 - $40 will receive a personal video thankyou message from me
- Donations between $40 - $60 will receive a 15 – 30 minute video chat from me
- Donations between $60 - $100 (or over) will receive either a personal visit (if practical – Brisbane and Townsville Residents only or a 30 – 60 minute video chat.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE by visiting my website at www.rodneymills.com.au to keep updated!!!
THANKYOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND SUPPORT FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO INSPIRE HOPE AND VISION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AND THEIR FAMILIES
REGARDS,
ROD
Organizer
Rodney Mills
Organizer
Bald Hills QLD
