Annie in wonderland

Certainly! Here's the revised version with that addition: --- **The Balance of Risk and Benefit in Disability: Understanding the Importance of Calculated Risks** Living with a disability often means that people around you—family, support workers, or even medical professionals—may prioritize safety and duty of care. While safety is essential, it’s also important to recognize that not all risk is bad. In fact, calculated risks can lead to significant learning opportunities and personal growth. Striking the right balance between risk management, duty of care, and the potential benefits of taking a risk is key to developing independence and enhancing life experiences. ### Why Calculated Risks Matter A calculated risk is not about being reckless; it’s about weighing the potential benefits against the risks and making an informed decision. For individuals with disabilities, taking risks—like trying a new task independently or stepping outside of their comfort zone—can help build skills a

When we think of work skills, we often picture technical abilities, formal qualifications, or years of specialized training. But the truth is, many of the skills we use in everyday life are just as valuable in the workplace, even if we don’t immediately recognize them as such. Whether it's doing household chores, communicating effectively, or understanding basic processes, these are all crucial skills that can translate into professional success. For individuals with disabilities, there are unique challenges but also potential advantages in approaching work with a fresh perspective. ### 1. Housework Skills Managing a household requires a range of skills that are directly applicable to the workforce. Housework teaches time management, organization, and problem-solving—all key skills for any job. - **Cleaning and Tidying**: Keeping a workspace clean is an essential habit in almost every job. It shows discipline, attention to detail, and respect for the environment and colleagues. - *

Hygiene is a deeply personal aspect of daily life, but for those with hidden or psychosocial disabilities, maintaining it can be challenging in ways that others may not immediately understand. Whether due to trauma, sensory overload, or mental health factors, everyday tasks like showering, brushing teeth, or taking care of personal cleanliness can feel overwhelming. ### The Impact of Hidden Disabilities on Hygiene Hidden disabilities such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, or sensory processing issues can often make basic hygiene tasks difficult. These struggles aren’t always obvious, which can lead to misunderstanding or judgment from others. For some, the feeling of water on the skin can be distressing, while for others, the effort required to focus on self-care during depressive episodes feels insurmountable. These barriers are real and deserve recognition and support. ### Why Prompts and Education Matter A common misconception is that individuals with hidden disabili

Why the NDIS Needs a Deficits-Based Funding System The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was designed to support people with disabilities in accessing the services they need to live more independent lives. However, there’s a growing concern that the current funding structure, which leans heavily on skills-based assessments, isn’t providing the most effective support. What we truly need is a deficits-based funding system—where funding is tied to a person’s limitations, with support focused on building the necessary skills to improve quality of life. The Flaws of a Skills-Based Funding System At first glance, a skills-based system may seem logical—funding is allocated based on what people can already do. However, this approach overlooks the reality that many participants need support precisely because of what they cannot do without assistance. It assumes that everyone has a certain baseline of ability, and the funding builds from there, which is simply not the case for many pe

Hey everyone! I’m excited to share that my content platforms are growing, which is fantastic. As the NDIS evolves and support work becomes more common, I’ve noticed some agencies opt not to use uniforms for privacy reasons. So, how do you present yourself professionally without a set uniform? Dress Appropriately for the Shift First and foremost, dress for the type of shift you're scheduled for. What you wear for a group day trip might be very different from a personal care shift. Keep in mind that personal care can happen at any time, so it’s essential to always be prepared. Having a change of clothes or a "go bag" in your car—or keeping one at a Supported Independent Living (SIL) facility or group home—can be a lifesaver. It’s also a good idea to have some snacks stashed away for long or unexpected shifts. Consider the Weather and Organization Culture When dressing for your shift, remember to dress for the weather. Whether it’s hot, cold, or raining, you'll want to b

 As I write this, I’m feeling a bit tired but reflecting on how I slept reasonably well last night after attending an event. This experience reinforces my belief that staying up later helps me sleep better, and I’ve discussed this with a manager of my housing facility who agrees and will address the concerns of those who are worried about my late-night schedule. I actually managed to sleep through the night, only waking up a couple of times for a quick snack and to adjust the temperature with my electric blanket. Though I’m still dealing with some pain, being tired seems to make it less noticeable. I started writing this before a support shift and am curious about how I’ll sleep tonight, as my week has a basic structure, but my day-to-day life varies significantly based on what I need to accomplish or where I need to go. I did have some coffee in the afternoon because I was tired, and I’m interested to see if pushing myself to the point of exhaustion might help me sleep better. Tonight

 In deciding that I wanted to go back to some level of paid work, I am working on some basic skills. As I have been out of the workforce for some time, I have done some casual work but it’s not enough to have on my resume and it does show me what I hadn’t realized about working when you have a disability and a chronic illness and I now know why there is so many of us in the online world as content creators. It’s that we can work at our own pace. One thing I hadn’t considered is, emotional intelligence at work as I am completely retaining as I can’t stand for long periods so I need an industry where I am not standing all the time. Sleeping through the night is still a challenge for me as  I have seizure-related events called Parasomnias and I get up to eat or drink throughout the night, leading to poor quality sleep, so it's again before I even put a resume together I am looking at the skills I need to be work ready. So that to me is an ongoing list of emotional intelligence,

In my last post, I talked about the challenges of staying organized with a disability. It took a different direction than I expected, but that’s okay! Now, I want to focus on the physical items that can help someone get organized with minimal assistance, especially if they’re moving out for the first time. ### Electronic Tools If the person has a smartphone, using a calendar app for appointments, work, or volunteering commitments is a great start. However, phones can be hacked or fail to charge, so having a physical calendar or diary as a backup is essential. These can often be found at newsagents or even given out as Christmas gifts by local pharmacies. I’m also assuming that the person has basic stationery like pens and pencils to write things down. However, in support work, never assume that the person has what they need—always ask to ensure they have the necessary tools. ### Cleaning Essentials For maintaining a clean living space, here are the basics: - **Laundry**: Laundry powder

   I am starting a new series, and I think it’s going to be highly relatable, for a long time I have suffered from poor-quality sleep, and as you can see from the title it’s going to be a bit obvious to what I am saying.   I have several disabilities and medical conditions, but then there are the things that I can control, as I am in a Sil house ( supported independent living), and due to me essentially being in a granny flat the first thing I can’t control is who is on a sleepover and if they come down or not as I do have some bad habits that I need to get out of, one has my phone in my room but I didn’t realize I have sensitive hearing and I can hear support staff doing final checks both upstairs and next door. I am trying to not reveal any sensitive information but it factors into why I am not sleeping well and having discussed this series with the head support worker we feel that it's ok to talk about the behaviour's of staff so people can see its impact and we can work as

I naturally struggle with organization, but living in supported living in Australia and attempting to live independently (despite not fully succeeding) has taught me the importance of being organized. Some people have the advantage of parents or caregivers who emphasize the significance of organization alongside education, which certainly helps. I’ve discussed the challenges that come with having a disability and trying to stay organized on my YouTube channel, and I believe there are several factors everyone should consider. Now that I have clearance from my GP (primary care doctor) to look for part-time paid work, I realize there are skills and general health considerations I need to work on. Some of these are innate, stemming from my family background, but the most important thing is establishing a routine. Routines offer stability, especially for those with psychosocial disabilities, and having well-trained, consistent staff is crucial, though this will look different for everyone.