This is John Roarty's personal account of his struggle for the right of people with disabilities in institutions to be treated as responsible members of the community. When John Roarty entered Weemala ( Royal Rehabilitation Centre) at the age of sixteen, he came face to face with deprivation. This is his personal account of the struggle for the right of people with disabilities in institutions to be treated as responsible members of the community. This saw John and other residents involved in forming a residents' committee, lobbying the media and going on television as well as agitating against the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the institution at great personal cost. This book makes compelling reading, with John's courage and strength in the face of adversity shining through. Keywords: Advocacy, Self determination