Annie in wonderland

  In the realm of disability discourse, language is a powerful tool that shapes perceptions and attitudes towards individuals with diverse abilities. Among the myriad of terms used to describe different aspects of disability, adjectives like "lower functioning," "higher functioning," and "behaviours of concern" have been subject to debate and scrutiny. However, there's a growing understanding that these adjectives serve a purpose in effectively communicating the unique experiences and support needs of individuals with disabilities. Rather than shying away from these terms, it's time to acknowledge their value and promote a more nuanced understanding of disability. First and foremost, it's essential to recognize that adjectives such as "lower functioning" and "higher functioning" are not inherently derogatory or demeaning. Instead, they are descriptive terms that provide important context about an individual's level of fu

  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

  Title: The NDIS Tightrope: Juggling Ratios, Unwanted Guests, and Damaging Masking Introduction: Welcome to the circus of NDIS support, where support workers walk a tightrope of balancing ratios, managing unwanted guests, and enduring the exhausting performance of masking their frustrations. In this blog post, we'll dive into the ring of ethical dilemmas and the toll it takes on clients like me, stuck in the one-to-three ratio debacle. Walking the Tightrope of Ratios: Picture this: I'm assigned a one-to-three ratio, a delicate equilibrium meant to ensure personalized care and support. But alas, more often than not, I find myself entertaining three guests in my humble abode, courtesy of a support worker's reluctance to trigger someone. So here I am, juggling the needs of three instead of the intended trio, with my autonomy hanging by a thread. The Uninvited Guests: In this circus of chaos, the uninvited guests aren't clowns or acrobats—they're the consequences of br

Introduction: In the realm of caring for individuals with disabilities, striking a balance between the medical model and person-centered care is crucial. This holistic approach recognizes the multifaceted nature of human experience and aims to address the individual's unique needs while navigating behaviors of concern and challenging behaviors. In this blog post, we'll explore how the holistic model integrates both perspectives and offers comprehensive support for individuals with disabilities. Understanding the Medical Model vs. Person-Centered Care: The Medical Model: The medical model traditionally focuses on diagnosing and treating medical conditions or impairments. It views disability as a deficiency or deviation from the norm, often emphasizing medical interventions and symptom management. While this approach is valuable for addressing physical health concerns, it may overlook the broader psychosocial aspects of disability and the individual's preferences and autonomy

  It’s bright and early in my housing facility and this is a good thing, I have checked off what I need to do, and when the others have gone to their activities I will start recording and studying, but I am finding that I must be doing something right as people who have never experienced disability either in themselves or in a family member or a fired seem to get very offended when I am suggesting easy things that need to change in people who work as support workers as I am finding that there is I thought two groups of people but I am finding it’s three, people who needed a job and have come into support work and do the job, people who have experience of disability and got attracted to the job and people who have a real passion for helping people with a disability and want to make a difference. The first two if they are willing and able to learn the difference’s between work and a calling it’s great but for those who just consider this a job and turn up on the dot of time, I am als

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and advocacy for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. With government-funded support services like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in place, individuals with disabilities have gained greater access to necessary resources and care. However, amidst this progress, it's crucial to address a concerning trend – the expectation for individuals to share their NDIS or care plans with strangers, often without proper consideration for privacy or compensation for expertise. Privacy is a fundamental right for everyone, including people with disabilities. NDIS or care plans are sensitive documents outlining a person's needs, goals, and support requirements. Sharing such personal information with strangers, particularly those who aren't directly involved in providing care or support, can pose risks to privacy and confidentiality. Moreover, many individuals with disabilities face challenges in society, inc

  Title: Exploring the Link Between Epilepsy, Parasomnias, and Nocturnal Eating Introduction: Living with epilepsy entails navigating various challenges, from managing seizures to addressing associated conditions like parasomnias and nocturnal eating behaviors. These intertwined issues can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, requiring a comprehensive understanding and tailored approaches for effective management. In this blog post, we delve into the connections between epilepsy, parasomnias, and nighttime eating, exploring their complexities and offering insights for those affected. Understanding Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain. Seizures can manifest in various forms, ranging from brief lapses in awareness to convulsions and loss of consciousness. While the exact causes of epilepsy can vary, factors such as genetics, brain injury, infections, and