I was born in Brisbane in 1983, the youngest of three children. I have sisters Lisa and Susie. Until I was in my early 20’s, I couldn’t communicate with the world and people had to just guess what I wanted. I went to a local special school, where I didn’t learn too much, until I was 18.
After I left school, I went to several day services. I felt like a square peg in a round hole.
In 2005, I discovered facilitated communication and this opened up the world to me. I could for the first time tell people what I want and need and how I felt. Since then, I have been in control of my life and making my own choices.
I don’t like rainy days, unexpected noises (a motor bike roaring up beside you in the car and when a truck honks loudly). Really noisy places, going to the movies when there are better things to do. Waiting, having nothing planned to do. Being “minded”. I don’t like being treated as an idiot because I’m not.
I like creative writing and being able to discuss things with people who can facilitate me. I don’t like to bottle things up. My best times are spent with my friends who also use facilitated communication and we meet regularly and discuss our lives.
As a tribute on my death David Stavanger would say: “David Goldsmith, the greatest excuse for a politician’s change of mind”.
Sue from TAFE would say: “David can write under water”.
My TAFE classmates would say: “He was the best quoter in the whole class. We called him David the Dictionary”.
