– Then we got started. Ole Magnus Oterhals starts the lecture at the University of Molde with a short introduction to the room full of nursing students. He talks about the research projects he has been involved in and his personal experiences with the health system. The fact that he has Down’s syndrome he easily skips over, at least in the beginning. Because that’s exactly what today’s lecture is about – the term we use and something Oterhals really dislikes: putting people in booths. He has been researching and working on this for over a decade. It is now becoming more common across the country for people with disabilities to be co-researchers. Oterhals’ hall was full of foster care students when he gave his presentation that day. Oterhals’s lectures are the most liked of all among the students at the university. Photo: Remi Sagen / news Being able to decide for oneself Oterhals’ lecture and research is about being allowed to make decisions – even bad ones – in one’s own life without too much interference from others. He has now been a co-researcher in four different projects, holds regular lectures at the university and travels both in Norway and abroad to talk about online being able to make your own decisions. He points out that everyone has the right to decide for themselves. – Those who have a developmental disability must have it too, says Oterhals. Oterhals has lunch together with other employees at the university before they plan further teaching. Photo: Remi Sagen / news University lecturer Hege Bakken says Oterhals is a great resource at the university, and that his lectures are the ones that are best evaluated by the students. – He has a very clear message for the students, and he shed light on the topic in a slightly different way than us other lecturers. She says that in recent years many research projects have been started and carried out on equal treatment and self-determination at colleges and universities all over the country. – We see that there have been more and more projects where people with developmental disabilities are involved as co-researchers and participate, says Bakken. Since 2019, research courses have been arranged at six educational institutions for this target group, which Oterhals has helped develop. Around 40 people have completed the course, according to Naku. Bakken, Oterhals and several employees plan further teaching and lectures for the students at the college. Photo: Remi Sagen / news Bakken says that projects that research people with functional impairments increasingly involve online those who have such impairments. Photo: Remi Sagen / news Oterhals himself says it is important to be able to take part in the everyday at work, such as having lunch with his colleagues. Photo: Remi Sagen / news – An inspiration – It’s stupid that people are seen in booths, because not everyone is equally gifted. One can forget about the person and that everyone is cut over the same comb. You can think wrongly about the person, about what he or she can do, and you can underestimate them, what he or she can do. Oterhals receives applause when the lecture is over. Some of the students come up to the catheter. – Thank you very much, you were truly an inspiration. I really have to say that you have given me something. I will be much better at listening to those who have something to say, says no, while the lecturer gives her a high-five. See Oterhals holding a lecture for his students. First-year student Emilie Lind Simmersholm says it was very interesting to hear from Oterholm and his experiences, and is sure that she can take that with her to work. – Most people are probably portrayed as people who cannot speak for themselves and say their opinions, but the vast majority can. Everyone can speak for themselves, she says. Simmersholm hopes that hearing about Oterhals’ good experiences in working life means that she can later arrange for others to experience the same. Photo: Remi Sagen / news
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Ole Magnus Oterhals has Down syndrome and teaches and conducts research at Molde University College – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
