'For nearly 30 years Peter Rowe could communicate only on a very restricted level because his speech was severely affected by Down syndrome. For those 30 years, his family and those who know him, believed he had very little understanding and comprehension. His life changed dramatically when, in 1994, he was introduced to facilitated communication. According to the Department of Families, Disability Program, facilitated communication is defined as a strategy which may enable some people with a severe communication impairment, to point to objects, pictures, symbols, words and letters for communication purposes (1997).
Peter started to communicate by pointing to letters on a keyboard and then began to write. His writing has been prolific and has covered many genres including poetry, short stories, children's stories and narratives on his own life.
Art was introduced into Peter's life as a form of therapy to assist him to overcome trauma, suffered at a residential facility. His art has developed much further than therapy and he has become a talented artist in his own right. During an art course in 2003, Peter was introduced to the basics of illustration. This acted as a catalyst to creating his own complete books.
Peter, along with internationally renowned artist Linsey Pollock and local artist Terri Delaney have also formed a musical trio called "QWERTY" which has performed in many venues across the Sunshine Coast, at the Woodford Folk Festival and at the Music by the Sea Festival in Sandgate.' Source: http://www.peter-rowe.info/ (Sighted 11/10/2007).
