Interview with Mathilde Cotman

Our work brings the voice of people with intellectual disabilities and their families where decisions about their future are made. This has always been incredibly important. It is even more so with the Covid pandemic drastic impact on their rights and lives. Being visible and vocal on issues directly affecting millions of people requires your...

Interview with Mathilde Cotman

Click here for the easy-to-read version

Mathilde is a self-advocate from Belgium. She is part of the self-advocacy group of Inclusion ASBL. She has been elected to represent all the self-advocates at the administrative council of the association. She also works on Thursdays at the office of Inclusion ASBL she helps with the donations that the association receives.

Mathilde lives independently in Louvain-la Neuve in a supervised home with housemates. She likes to go horseback riding, running, swimming, and going for drinks with her friends. She also likes to read, listen to music, and to cook.

We interviewed Mathilde about her experience at the leadership training we held here in Brussels, from the 26th-28th of September.

 

Why did you decide to come to the event for self-advocates and family members ?

The information on violence against women interests me. I wanted also to meet other self-advocates to talk with them. I will soon be representing the members of my association on the administrative council of Inclusion Asbl!

 

What did you learn during the event?

I learnt that there was a lot of women who have been confronted by violence in Europe. Doing bad things to others is not good.

 

How was it meeting a member of the European Parliament?

It was stressful! I was not looking forward to it. But actually, the MEP we met was very nice.

 

What was the best part of the event?

Visiting the European Parliament. I didn’t know there were so many things there: shops, a hairdresser, and more. It was also funny to see the Main chamber where all the parliamentarians vote.

 

A French version of this interview is available here.

 

Easy-to-read version

Click on a word which is in bold to read what it means.

Mathilde is a self-advocate from Belgium.

She is a part of the self-advocacy group of Inclusion ASBL.

Inclusion ASBL is our Belgian member.

 

Mathilde is on the council of Inclusion ASBL.

She represents all the self-advocates of Inclusion ASBL.

 

Mathilde also works at the office of Inclusion ASBL on Thursdays.

She helps with the donations that they get.

 

Mathilde lives independently with housemates.

Mathilde lives in Louvain-la Neuve

which is a city in Belgium.

 

Mathilde likes to go horseback riding, running, swimming, and going for drinks with her friends.

Mathilde also likes to read, listen to music, and cook.

 

Mathilde came to Inclusion Europe’s leadership training.

The training was from the 26th of September until the 28th.

The leadership training was here in Brussels.

 

We interviewed Mathilde about her experiences at the leadership training.

 

Question 1: Why did you decide to come to the event for self-advocates and family members?

Mathilde answered the topic of violence against women is important to me.

She said that she wanted to meet other self-advocates.

 

Mathilde also said that she will be representing the members of Inclusion ASBL on its council.

 

Question 2: What did you learn during the event?

Mathilde said she learnt that lots of women have been the victims of violence in Europe.

She said that doing bad things to others is not good.

 

Question 3: How was it meeting a member of the European Parliament?

Mathilde said it was stressful.

She said she was not looking forward to it

but actually the MEP was very nice.

 

Question 4: What was the best part of the event?

Mathilde said the best part was visiting the European Parliament.

She said she did not know there were so many things in the building.

There were shops, a hairdresser and more.

Mathilde also said it was funny to see the main room where the MEPs vote.

Our work brings the voice of people with intellectual disabilities and their families where decisions about their future are made.

This has always been incredibly important. It is even more so with the Covid pandemic drastic impact on their rights and lives.

Being visible and vocal on issues directly affecting millions of people requires your support. 

Become Inclusion Europe supporter and help us keep doing our work.

 

 

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