Peer Support
By Douglas B. CarmonNational AgrAbility Project Manager
National Training Workshop
Burlington, VT
Definition
Definition• PEER (pir) n.
– 1. A person who has equal standing with another, such as in age, gender, disability and life experiences
– 2. Archaic. A companion; fellow
Definition• A peer is someone who
may or may not be like us in obvious ways, but is someone with whom we share a basic humanity, uniqueness, or experience
Definition
• All people share universal human experiences
• By virtue of this shared humanity, we are all peers
Definition
• System of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is considered to be helpful
Characteristics• Mutual respect • Positive regard • Empowerment of the client
– the assumption that the client has the solutions to his/her own problems and does not need your advice of direction
• Genuineness– being oneself– authenticity
Characteristics• Acceptance of differences
– does not mean agreement, but acceptance based on respect
• Empathy– allowing oneself to feel with
another person
• Intention to be of service to another
Skills• Listening from the
heart– listening with an open
heart– willing to be touched by
another– willing to engage with
another person's emotions
Skills• Speaking from the
heart– speaking authentically– honest self-expression
Skills• Acting from the heart in
service to another person– acting based on
compassion, caring, and an intention to be of service to another
Peer Program
• Designed to bring answers and support to people with newly acquired disabilities, as well as people who have been disabled for some time
Peer Volunteer
• An individual who has adjusted well to being disabled and is living independently
Peer Volunteer• Meet with participants with similar
disabilities and share information about adaptive equipment, family and marital issues, transportation, employment and education
• Sharing experiences & information– Emotionally– Physically– Psychologically
Peer Volunteer Benefits• Increases feeling of self-
worth and accomplishment—contributing to help another & the community
• “Inspiring” others often inspires the Peer Volunteer
• Improves interpersonal and communication skills
Peer Recipient Benefits
• Provides opportunity to achieve a greater level of independence and self-sufficiency through role modeling and encouragement
• Participant is often encouraged to take sensible risks– Peer Volunteers can often
accomplish this better than professionals
Peer Recipient Benefits
• Peers can often motivate people to do things previously thought as impossible
• Development of better coping skills– Community– Red tape– Attitudes– Modifications– Adaptations
Peer Recipient Benefits
• Often receive emotional support and new techniques for managing problems
• Learn self-advocacy skills• Have a role model to follow to
enhance self-worth, a sense of identification by reduction of isolation and separation
Bottom line…• Help where help will
be accepted• Enable self
directed solutions
• Referrals• Do no harm
– Be safe to self and others