Views of young people with cognitive disability about care in their relationships

The relationships of young people with cognitive disability are often only considered through a lens that positions the young person as the care recipient. Theories of care that recognise mutuality in relationships acknowledge that this positioning evokes a shallow view of care, yet we know very little about how young people themselves perceive care in relationships. This chapter explores this issue by drawing on research that used participatory methods to articulate the patterns of connection to people and place for young people with cognitive disability living in regional Australia. The methods were narrative interviews and a participatory project based on photovoice. The research found that young people spoke about themselves as active agents in mutual care and peer relationships with family, friends and support workers. The mutuality present in the caring relationships contributed to their personal identity, where they felt recognised, viewed as capable, respected and valued. Paid support services facilitated some relationships, particularly for people with higher support needs. The findings have implications for theories of care and caring and for policy agendas concerned with identity, resilience and personal safety.