Are services family centred or family directed?

There is a whole lot of information about Family Centered Care or Services. We hear about it in health care and social services and education. It means that the service provided is about the family, or wraps around the person and the family. Fair enough. But who's in the driver's seat?

With family centered care, the family can be included in planning and discussion, but do they really have a say in the matter? I have been to enough meetings with parents to witness an interesting phenomenon. Parents ask for a meeting and have an agenda planned. The meeting begins, and who is doing all the talking? The professional. The parent doesn't get a chance to present the agenda or their concerns, until the end of the meeting.

To me, if a parent requests a meeting, it's only common sense that they direct or Chair the meeting. It's their meeting, isn't it?

Grab on to Bilodeau's inspiration

Does anyone else see the opportunity for awareness in the story of Alexandre Bilodeau, the Winter Olympian who won Canada's first gold medal at this years Games?

After his victory, Bilodeau stated very proudly that his brother, Frederic, had been his inspiration throughout his life and for pursuing his Olympic dream. Celebrating Olympic gold, Frederic was included every step of the way . He was included. He wasn't following along, he wasn't pulled along as some kind of token, and his disability certainly wasn't exploited. He was included. And his inclusion was real. Frederic was respected and considered as any person should be. What a message for the world to see! I wonder if anyone else got it?