Annie in wonderland

 This is a very back-to-basics post and it is aimed at support workers, caregivers and anyone else in the support or Disability industries, I have seen so many posts on other platforms around this topic that they are desperately looking for things for a client to do on a shift I live in a beautiful town called Toowoomba located on the darling downs and it has some of the most hidden gems imaginable,  and admittedly some would need to be day trips and need approval but some are  quite local and we are going to start recording some as well, As admittedly support needs to have the basics done first and done well, the basics depending on what the client wants  are housework, groceries, Doctors and other medical or mental health appointments,  as some clients like myself don’t fit into the day centre model despite trying, so we are thinking way beyond the library, a local park,  pool, Gym,  to other experiences the build on the client's skills and brings th...

This is a deeply personal post, and I want to start by saying thank you. To my friends, my family, my support team—you’ve shown up for me with grace and dignity, and I don’t take that lightly. Whether it’s through practical help, quiet encouragement, or just being a consistent presence, your support has helped me face something hard: the reality that I’m not functioning as highly as I once believed. Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m still high-functioning in a lot of ways. But one of my conditions, Sjögren’s syndrome , is progressing. And that’s hard. It’s a quiet, relentless reminder that I do live with disability and chronic illness, and that pretending otherwise doesn’t help me anymore. I’m working with all the right professionals—my doctors , pharmacist , and now a dietitian , too. (Pharmacists, by the way, are wildly underrated. They’ve helped me make sense of side effects and medication changes in ways that actually make sense in day-to-day life.) But even with all this support, ther...

It's amazing how much time you get back when you're intentional about screen time. I can’t go completely screen-free, but I can be mindful of how much I watch and what I engage with. This is something to consider when creating a routine—taking into account your needs, existing supports, and whether you have access to paid support workers or the equivalent in your country. It’s also important to consider what you feel safe having them do. Yesterday, I had a moment that reminded me that, although I am higher functioning, I still need support. These posts serve as much as a reminder for me as they do for others—about routines, being responsible, knowing where your money is going (which I’ll cover in a follow-up post), and speaking up when things go wrong. There are people—both paid and unpaid—who will help if you're willing to advocate for yourself. One key factor in setting up a routine is having a consistent support team. If your care team is constantly changing, it can be f...

   Hey all, this is going to be a controversial post, and it ties into the overview of the podcast this year. There are some dangerous lines that you shouldn’t utter in front of management. In support and care work, I’ve learned from talking with support workers that there is never truly “nothing to do.” So here are some suggestions for support workers in in-home care or SIL homes. I want to address something I’ve heard people say: “I’m not a cleaner,” or “I can’t do that because of an injury.” If that’s the case, it’s worth asking: is it safe for you to continue as a support worker, or should you focus on roles like community access? There are no ifs, buts, or maybes around this—personal care and cleaning are a significant part of the job, even in community access. Many people see support work glorified on social media and only realise later that it involves much more effort, cleaning, and planning than they anticipated. When it feels like there’s “nothing to do,” that’s o...

  Hey all so I live with two other housemates many people live in shared houses these days well into adulthood, but mine is what they call in Australia a Sil (supported independent living). The NDIS (national disability insurance scheme) fund it, and we have in the house beings called support workers that help us in what they call ADL (Activities of daily living) But watching and observing support staff, do there jobs one thing I see is major is not something you would expect but some staff in this area have great attention to detail, and just in general, to the point that I am moving a teddy bear by stealth and all but one member of staff have noticed, But I have let the housing manager know and they are going to do something brilliant they are going to use at about how attention to detail is so important in support.  But as my housemates have complex needs, they are responsible for dressing them and their level of hygiene. These are some outfit ideas, and I know that cho...

I’ve had a lot of questions lately about why I don’t dive into “on-the-ground activism” in the disability community. While I respect the passion behind it, my approach centers on accountability, respect for support staff, and a focus on the bigger picture. Here’s why I’ve chosen a different path. Accountability vs. Excuses In my experience, accountability is often misinterpreted as negativity. My approach emphasizes responsibility, transparency, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Yet, I’ve noticed that when I bring up the need for accountability in disability support structures, it often rubs some people the wrong way. Instead of acknowledging areas where we could improve, disagreements are often dismissed as ableist. But accountability isn’t criticism for the sake of it—it’s a crucial part of ensuring that services work as they should. Respecting Support Staff A big part of advocacy should be about building respect and understanding for support staff, who work hard within the l...

Understanding the Recent NDIS Changes: What They Mean for Clients The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has undergone significant legislative changes, and it’s important to understand how these will impact clients moving forward. These changes were introduced through the NDIS Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Act 2022 and reflect updates designed to streamline services, enhance participant outcomes, and prepare for the future of disability support. In addition to these changes, discussions around the role of support coordinators evolving into navigators are a key feature in the National Disability Roadmap . In this post, we’ll break down the most significant changes to the NDIS, what the potential shift to navigators means, and how this fits into the overall disability support strategy. 1. Participant Service Guarantee The Participant Service Guarantee is a cornerstone of the recent NDIS changes, ensuring quicker and clearer processes for decisi...

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 son...

    So this has been on my mind for a while now and it’s the outright misinformation that is out there about disability and the NDIS, I am finding despite the chorus of content creators trying to educate people the legacy media seems to be louder and more persistent, but at the core lets be real the system is broken and we need to do better for everyone from support staff to Allied health professionals that write the reports to get us the funding we need at times that funding isn’t enough and then that is where the blame game starts around cost blowouts and people gaming the systems. So that brings me to the hairy end of the topic is the blame game and people thinking that participants have it easy( if you’re your decision maker it’s not) it can seem like a full-time job and this is where people get so wrong about who to blame as there is not an easy fix but there is several that are starting to emerge, the cost guide cap is a big one. Cracking down on dodgy providers and ...

  In the intricate dance of navigating life with invisible disabilities, there's a crucial partner often overlooked: support workers. These individuals play a vital role in providing assistance and ensuring that those with disabilities can navigate daily life with as much ease as possible. However, when support workers fail to understand the unique needs of individuals like myself, it can lead to frustration and challenges that could easily be avoided. Let's take a closer look at my own experience. Living with ADHD, epilepsy, minimal brain damage, Shojrin's syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy presents its fair share of obstacles. Yet, it's not just the disabilities themselves that pose challenges; it's the lack of understanding from those tasked with providing support. Despite my efforts to communicate my needs, some support workers have struggled to grasp the nuances of my disabilities. For instance, ADHD isn't just about being easily distracted; it encompasses...

In the realm of home care and support services, the presence of illness can significantly alter the dynamics of caregiving. When a person falls ill within the confines of their home, the need for assistance and support amplifies, highlighting the indispensable role of support workers in such situations. In this blog post, we will explore the ways in which support workers can offer invaluable aid and comfort when illness strikes in a household. Provision of Physical Assistance: Support workers are adept at providing physical assistance to individuals who are sick. This can include helping with mobility issues, transferring the person from one place to another, or assisting with personal hygiene tasks such as bathing and dressing. Their training enables them to handle various medical equipment and aids effectively, ensuring the comfort and safety of the individual under their care. Administration of Medications: When someone falls ill at home, managing medications becomes crucial. Suppor...