Quickfire Q & A with Gary Bourlet

In the Spotlight with Gary Bourlet, Founder of the People First movement in the UK

What’s your earliest memory?
Flying back from a People First conference in the USA in 1984.  I said to my fellow self-advocate “what about starting People First in the UK?”

What three words best describe you?
Determined,  a leader – and a bit of a celebrity!

If you could do any job in the world, what would it be? 
An international ambassador to the self-advocacy movement, promoting self-advocacy in Europe and developing countries. I would like to be paid for it.

If you were stuck on a desert island, and could take one person and one object, who and what would they be?
A good looking girlfriend and plenty of music.

Who inspires you?
People with learning difficulties who speak up for themselves

What is your favourite place?
Cornwall

Which celebrity would you want to play you in a film about your life?
He would need to be good looking…
I should probably play myself. The movie could be called The Self-Advocate – an action packed thriller!

What was the last download or CD you bought?
A CD of the 60s
 
What are you reading?
Community Care – because of the A Life Like Any Other campaign

What is your favourite film?
Startrek.  And Indiana Jones (A new one comes out next year, so I want to see that.)
 
Dogs or cats?
I did have a cat once

What is the best present you have ever been given?
Good question. I can’t remember. I prefer parties with friends.

If you were on death row, what would be your last meal?
Probably a finger buffet made up of food from all round the world.