Luke Cowan

I was fortunate to grow up in a loving family. We were blessed with good friends who supported me. I went to the local state school where I was the odd one out. I sometimes wish I could have been more accepted as the intelligent, gifted person I am. But that would not come till later.

I was introduced to facilitated communication by Penny, a worker at Mamre, when I was in my 20s. Using FC has been a life saver. It has really saved me from a life of being viewed as someone who is less than everyone. The first time I used FC I was so amazed at how I could get my words out of my head and onto paper.  It was exhilarating.  I was an adult and I was living at home with Mum and Pa.  My life was opened up and it gave me freedom to express myself.

I went to my brother Patrick’s wedding in Port Macquarie. I was his best man.

I enjoy teaching the children at the nearby school about poetry once a fortnight. I have spoken at conferences: the one in Melbourne was about moving out of home. Community Resource Unit (CRU) presented a conference in Ireland explaining how you can live independently, using me as a case study.

The Brotherhood of the Wordless has made a significant difference to my life.