Annie in wonderland

 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 ...

 Going on a day trip with a group through the NDIS is an exciting opportunity to explore new places and connect with others. However, it's crucial to remember that being part of a group also comes with responsibilities, especially when it comes to respecting the people around you. Whether you're new to NDIS group outings or a seasoned participant, here are some key guidelines to ensure everyone has an enjoyable and respectful experience. 1. Turn Up on Time Punctuality is a simple yet essential way to show respect for others. Arriving on time not only shows that you value the time of your support workers and fellow participants but also helps ensure the day runs smoothly. Late arrivals can cause delays, affecting the entire group and possibly shortening the time you have to enjoy the planned activities. 2. Personal Hygiene Matters Before heading out, make sure you've taken care of your personal hygiene. Having a shower and wearing clean clothes are basic courtesies that make...

In the world of support work, the ability to read the room and understand the unspoken needs of clients is not just a skill—it's a necessity. One aspect that often gets overlooked is the assumption that a client wearing headphones all the time is simply addicted to the internet. But what if that's not the case? For some people, headphones aren't a luxury or a sign of disinterest—they're a survival tool. Many individuals with sensory sensitivities use headphones to create a buffer between themselves and an overwhelming world. Whether it's the constant hum of white noise or specific calming music, these auditory aids can be essential for coping with everyday life. In certain situations, like living in a townhouse where noise travels easily, clients may be avoiding you, not because of disinterest, but because they are overwhelmed by the noise. Being loud and bubbly isn't always the right approach, especially when your client is using headphones to manage their envi...

In the age of social media, where everyone strives to be a creator, influencer, or trendsetter, it's no surprise that mundane aspects of everyday life are being repackaged and presented as groundbreaking trends. TikTok, in particular, has become a hotbed for this phenomenon. Let's take a closer look at a few of these so-called trends: underconsumption, de-influencing, and crunchy moms, and call them what they truly are – just living. Underconsumption: Living on a Budget The latest buzzword making the rounds is "underconsumption." Sounds fancy, right? In reality, it's just a new way of saying "living on a budget." For generations, people have been managing their finances carefully, prioritizing needs over wants, and making do with less. It's called being financially responsible, not a revolutionary trend. Rebranding basic money management as underconsumption does a disservice to those who have been practicing it out of necessity, not for the sake of a...

The whole uniform debate in the support worker realm is like arguing over the color of deck chairs on the Titanic. Seriously, people, let's not miss the forest for the trees here. We're fussing over whether support workers should wear uniforms while completely ignoring the fact that having support at all is the real victory. Sure, some folks don't want to wear their "I have a disability" badge loud and clear. They argue against uniforms like they're fashion police. But, excuse me, uniforms aren't just about making a fashion statement. They're about accountability and easy identification. In a world where judgment is as common as a Monday morning coffee, knowing who's who can spare someone from unnecessary side-eye. Now, cue the Facebook warriors who think uniforms are the equivalent of a scarlet letter for disability. Please, spare me the melodrama. If you've got real dehumanization issues, it's not because your support worker is decked out...

So this is to go along with a couple of pieces of content I have posted elsewhere,  about documentation and it’s really important to recognize that if you are working, with people with a disability, either in a housing situation or in a day/ community center it’s important to realize that if you haven’t documented it, it didn’t happen, and everything needs to be documented as it protects everyone so this isn’t just clients and supports staff but it’s family and other in your care team, and if you document things that don’t seem to be a big thing but they can be if you start to see a pattern of behavior and this can go towards a person funding and ratios of care. So, a person who is struggling in a sil (supported independent living,) at a one to three ratio might need extra support this then would provide the evidence for that person to have extra support and it might be a two-hour shift where the basics are done such as showers and toileting, feeding, and housework. We need ...

 So, this is a quick post to talk about Support workers, and the options you have. There is several options that we see are open to you to keep working in disability support. The first one is to stay a direct support worker, and being happy with it as many people are, but if you are unhappy with an agency there is several options to work around it.  The first one is really challenging is to stand up to the agency and to try to change it from the inside in, their also may be some situations where it’s a legal requirement  to report to the commission, things like unsafe practices, or restrictive practices used without the proper support and documentation, and processes and being used as a first line instead of a last resort, there is other options but we need to be aware that they are their for a reason and need to be updated not just eliminated. The second one is to find a new agency but this can be fraught with danger as in small towns it may not be an option to go to o...

This is something that I have wanted to write about for a very long time but really haven’t had the guts to write about it and I know that I bang on about people with disabilities being abused and this is true, but we also need to talk about the flip side of this being, that Support workers do get abused at work as well. I need to put a really important point in here as well that have emotions and I have blowen up at support workers in that past but what is important is how you handle it and what is considered abuse differs from person to person but from a legal perspective it can fall into a couple of different areas.   I have taken this from Safe work Australia, and it also documents that home care workers are in a higher risk of abuse. W orkplace violence and aggression can be:  ·        physical assault – such as biting, scratching, hitting, kicking, pushing, grabbing, and throwing objects.     ·   ...

 This seems to be a topic I constantly come back to as it is the backbone of the NDIS, and I am updating the blog as I learn more about support and I am not learning about it from a book or other “academic” sources. I am living it. So I am judging it by my own lived experience and this seems to be a good thing due to the fact that there is a definite difference between good and bad support and to go even further good and bad support workers. To put it in perspective basically those who understand the assignment at a deep level and for those who it is just a job, I see that some people have a unique combination of both of these, being that they understand the job is more than taking people out for coffees and are able to bog in and get the hard yards done so getting the house work done, getting a person into a good routine, keeping them in touch with family, friends and helping them to navigate these relationships with others and in a respectful ways. We also see that the genera...

  So, I debated long and hard this post about writing due to the people involved and we are still dealing with the fallout, but I will do my best to censor myself and not throw myself under the bus. The first thing I need to say is that I am no angel and get tired of advocating for myself.   In the same organization. Most people who have disabilities that are in the higher functioning range are sick of hearing it, and sick of telling support workers what they need, or even being dictated to by agencies, But what happens when a support worker abuses their power and this happens more than you would think to the point that there is a term for it due to the prevalence, Its called being care resistant and it means that everyone when the client finally accepts care they have to do extra work to gain the clients trust due to the fact that they can’t trust the very people who are supposed to care for them. [i] I have on YouTube and on this blog written about being abused by supp...