Annie in wonderland

 In my corner of the world, the Carnival of Flowers is in full bloom, thanks to the impressive work of the Toowoomba Regional Council Parks and Rec. They’ve transformed our public gardens into a floral paradise, inviting everyone to enjoy the beauty—just a gentle reminder: please don’t pick or prune the flowers! If you’re inspired by what you see, there are information stands about where to buy these stunning plants. Yet, amidst the celebrations, I can’t help but reflect on a concerning trend I've observed with an acquaintance who has dived headfirst into the conspiracy rabbit hole. This intelligent woman, once a beacon of innovative thinking, now sees hidden symbols and secret agendas everywhere. It’s unsettling to witness. For instance, she’s convinced that the Masons are manipulating governments, failing to recognize them as a spiritual organization focused on societal betterment. Similarly, labeling the Country Women’s Association (CWA)—founded to empower rural women—as merely

So, I have been on Facebook, and in my part of the world, there is a celebration happening: the Carnival of Flowers. The Toowoomba Regional Council Parks and Rec (yes, that is really their name; instead of sighing, they went with it) have done a spectacular job. Parks and Rec is the gardening arm of the council, responsible for maintaining the beautiful public gardens, and they’ve truly outdone themselves this year. Just a reminder to everyone enjoying the gardens—please don’t pick or prune the flowers or bushes! If you’re interested in any of the plants or flowers on display, they’ve set up information stands about where you can buy them. But something I've noticed with an acquaintance is quite scary—they’ve completely gone down the conspiracy rabbit hole. I do watch content like The Why Files (shout-out to Hecklefish—Yahtzee!), Lodge Law , 5 Kind TV , Decoding the Unknown , and listen to Freakonomics Radio . These are run by very smart people with teams of researchers to back th

 What would a good independent support worker look like to me? Some support workers, whether independent or agency-based, are, let's just say, not suited to the industry. What I consider ineffective support might be exactly what someone else needs. This isn’t a new industry, but it is a booming one, and that’s the issue. Some agencies tolerate ineffective staff because they struggle to attract well-trained, effective staff—and that’s a cost to them. It’s important to remember that funding for support doesn’t only come from the NDIS. There’s also state funding, superannuation (retirement plans), and programs like hospital-at-home. Each of these can provide different types of support depending on the circumstances. Common sense needs to be applied on both sides—service providers and clients—so that these systems are more inclusive and effective for everyone. With the legislation changes, I’m glad that support workers will be required to have qualifications. This is a good thing. In m

Hey all,  I had a planning meeting today with my Support Coordinator (SC) and some people in my personal life. It went well, aside from a moment when they asked about how much toilet paper I had since they were doing a Costco run. I'm considering getting my own membership, but I’m grateful for the support they offer. Many people with disabilities don’t have the benefit of informal supports—those who back you up, help you destress, and give you the option to either collaborate or have alone time. Paid support is important, but we must remember that it's a job for them at the end of the day. They're paid to be kind and to care. I feel incredibly blessed to have supportive people in my life. It's a big deal—having a child with a disability, who inevitably becomes an adult with a disability. While some may have low support needs, it’s rare for someone to simply grow out of their disability. It can happen, but it’s not common. Having a disabled child, alongside other sibling

 Hey all so I  have had some feedback and this is part two I think it's going to be a fun one to do and feel free to add more in the comments, of theme songs as well.  Support work and community nursing require a balance of patience, skill, and dedication. But who says you can’t have a bit of fun along the way? We’ve compiled another round of playful yet respectful songs that capture the different aspects of your job. These tracks will keep things light while also connecting to the important work you do – from nutrition support to occupational therapy. #### **1. Nutrition Support – *Fruit Salad* by The Wiggles**   "Fruit salad, yummy yummy!" This catchy song from The Wiggles is a fun and educational way to encourage healthy eating habits. It’s perfect for clients who need a reminder about the importance of incorporating fruits into their daily meals! #### **2. Nutrition Support – *Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)* by Harry Belafonte**   "Hey, Mister Tally Man, tally me b

 Here's a satire post inspired by the social dynamics of day centers for adults with disabilities, channeling that witty, observant tone: --- **Welcome to Day Centers: Where the Pecking Order is as Real as High School**   *(But With Less Homework and More Craft Supplies)* Ah, day centers—a place for support, community, and occasionally, the most **high school-like** hierarchy you’ve ever seen in a room full of adults Absolutely! Let’s merge the day center dynamics into the existing "rules" blog post for support workers and community nurses, maintaining that witty, Simon Whistler-inspired tone. -- **The *Totally Real* Updated Guide to Support Workers, Community Nurses, and Day Centers**   *(Because Apparently, We Needed More Rules)* Welcome back to the world of **support workers** and **community nurses**—where the rules are oddly specific because, well, someone has already lived through the chaos. Now, let’s expand this guide to include **day centers for adults with disab

Every day is a new journey in the world of support work and community nursing. What better way to capture those moments than with a playlist that fits the vibe of each task? From housing duties to night shifts, here’s a soundtrack that’ll keep you going through it all. **Housing** – *All the Small Things* by Blink-182   For all the tiny tasks that keep things running smoothly, from missing slippers to remembering the milk. Small things matter! **Day Centers** – *Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous* by Good Charlotte   On those long days, you might imagine trading in for a life with no paperwork and a little more luxury. You deserve it, right? **Day Trips** – *On the Road Again* by Willie Nelson   Nothing captures the joy and unpredictability of day trips like this classic. Whether it’s a road trip to a local park or a big outing, you’re always back on the road again! **Sail-Ability** – *We Go Sailing* by Rod Stewart   For days on the water, this song brings in the perfect sea breeze vibe

Protecting Support Workers and Clients: A Balanced Approach In the world of support work, safeguarding the well-being of both support workers and clients is essential. Abuse can happen on either side, and it’s crucial to have strategies in place to ensure a safe, respectful, and supportive environment. This post outlines key steps that both support workers and clients can take to protect themselves and one another, with a focus on documentation, education, relationship-building, and financial protection.  Protecting Support Workers from Abuse Support work can be emotionally and physically demanding. While most relationships between clients and workers are positive, there are times when boundaries can be crossed. Support workers need to protect themselves from potential abuse by following these guidelines: 1. **Document Everything** Documentation is one of the most powerful tools to protect yourself from false allegations or disputes. - **Daily notes**: Write detailed reports at the end

**A Quick Note Before You Dive In:**   This post is meant in good humor, and we've drawn inspiration from Simon Whistler's hilarious *"Casual Criminalist"* series, particularly his *"Rules for Criminals."* One of his top rules is **“Don’t write down your crimes!”** Well, in the world of support work, we’re flipping that advice on its head. Here, **writing things down is your best friend** (seriously, document everything)!   While this guide isn’t meant to be too serious, it's based on real events and hard-earned lessons from the field. So, have a laugh, learn a little, and remember – it’s all in good fun (but with a touch of truth!).   **Rules for Support Workers**   • *If it's not documented, it didn’t happen*   • *Low support needs don’t mean **no** support needs*   • *Low support needs clients can be your best resource*   • *Low support needs clients can also be your worst enemy – they might be the first to report issues*   • *Be careful what you