When the timing of a major setback with their daughter's service provider coincided with the opportunity to take up a new option called Self Managed Community Participation, Helen knew she had to make it happen. Having recently been inspired through her attendance at Family Advocacy's conference, The Odyssey, this paper takes you through the steps. How they established a "circle of friends" for their daughter and how, together, they held true to the vision for her of a valued life in the community as an artist, office worker, volunteer, weight watcher, citizen, trainer and commuter.