Annie in wonderland

As many in my community know, I live in Toowoomba, and I believe our council has a strategy to strengthen the community, which includes enhancing play equipment and promoting active transport. One area they fall short on is public transport, but you can't have everything. So, I’ll take what we do have and be grateful, understanding that they are trying to reduce the health burden by building walking tracks. I’m always amazed when international viewers watch Bluey and don’t realize that, yes, this is what our parks really look like! We encourage kids to engage in risk management and take risks, as it helps them build resilience and problem-solving skills. We don’t have the same risk-averse culture as some other places, likely due to having a universal healthcare system. While there are situations where legal action might be appropriate, it's relatively rare. We also encourage outdoor activities, so yes—this is what parks in my community look like. You’ll often see families enjo

This is a post I've been delaying, but here are my thoughts on the NDIS changes. My thoughts are many and varied, but the reforms are a very mixed bag. People need to understand that the reforms came through for a reason, and that reason is the misuse of the system and instances of fraud. What's been amusing to me is seeing the “advocates” coming out of the woodwork—people I’ve never heard of—claiming to be allies with us. There are some amazing advocates out there, both on the internet and worldwide, but some of these newcomers are blogging on LinkedIn about “foundational support.” I admit, I misunderstood at first, but they were talking about non-NDIS support. The big question is: where is the money coming from if it's for people who don’t qualify for the NDIS? Is it going to come from the state or federal government? The NDIS was supposed to level the playing field, and that involves having barriers to entry. We need to differentiate between a health condition and a disa

 I’ve talked quite openly about my health and disabilities, and people in my personal life have seen some unwise and unthought-out content I’ve shared. I can see where the pushback comes from, and I acknowledge that a lot of healing has been done in my personal life. But why do I talk about these issues so often and so publicly on the internet? Honestly, I started this blog focusing on media and touched a little on disability, but I couldn't keep up as so much was changing in my life. I naturally started talking more about what I knew—disability and the NDIS—because there wasn’t much content from people with lived experience in Australia. While many providers use social media for promotion, I take pride in being independent. For me, it's about myth-busting what disability looks like. I’ve even had to reevaluate my own thoughts and expectations of myself. I’ve realized that disability isn’t a dirty word. By speaking out about my experiences, I can build a community that doesn’t

 In support work, knowing your clients is key to providing effective and respectful care. This begins with reading their care plans before meeting them, asking thoughtful questions, observing their responses, and understanding their living situations. Your role is to work with their environment, not against it—a principle that some support staff, unfortunately, overlook. Take, for instance, clients who live in a family home. It's important to build a professional relationship with the family while recognizing that supporting the client means, to some extent, supporting the family as well. At the same time, situational awareness is critical—you must know your boundaries. Helping clients with tasks, like chores, is part of fostering their independence. However, it's equally important not to overstep and be seen as the housekeeper. In cases where the family or client has the necessary funding, suggesting they hire a cleaner might be a more appropriate solution. Situational awarene

 This topic only scratches the surface of something that affects the disability community in a specific way. Infantilization can be seen as a form of discrimination, but some people may view it as uninformed caregiving. Either way, if you're a paid caregiver, it’s crucial to be aware of how infantilization can cause frustration, particularly when working with medium to low support needs clients. Frustration often leads to what the industry calls “difficult and challenging behaviors.” But these behaviors aren’t random—they have causes, and one significant cause is frustration. Everything I’ve read about managing challenging behaviors in the disability sector emphasizes that it’s not about the caregiver. The way a caregiver reacts can make a situation better or worse. This is where situational awareness becomes critical. Understanding the root causes of frustration helps identify triggers—real triggers, not the casual "I was triggered at work today" kind, but genuine clini

Preparing for Emergencies: A Framework for Supporting People with Disabilities This is not going to be an exhaustive list, but in Australia, we need to be honest with ourselves as we head into extreme weather season. This includes, but isn’t limited to, storms, severe wind, bushfires, extreme heat, and—though I’m loathe to mention it—manmade incidents. This post is aimed at carers and supporters of people with disabilities. It’s not exhaustive, but it offers a framework to get you thinking about what needs to happen in an emergency. Key Considerations: Support Needs & Emergency Plans The first thing to consider is the person’s support needs. Do they have a care package? Does the agency or support worker (whether through a platform or an independent worker) have an emergency plan for the client? It's much better to be prepared than to scramble when a situation arises. Potential Challenges Depending on the emergency, a person with a disability might be cut off from regular suppor

So, I know that I have been neglecting the blog and using ChatGPT far too much, and I know people can see that. However, it is a tool—a very new tool—and we don’t yet know what the long-term implications are. Here's why I’ve been neglecting the blog, and there are a couple of reasons for it. The most important is that I’ve been spending quality time with the people in my life who are important to me. The second reason is that the podcast is taking off, which is amazing. It’s also wonderful to see the support from guests who are willing to give up their time. A special shoutout to Debbi Lund for being a regular guest! Another reason is that I can reach a wider audience on YouTube, which is also taking off, but it’s impacting my margins of time and priorities. However, I’m now at a place where I can refocus and get organized. For me, part of that means carving out time for the blog again. Additionally, the platform I use for blogging makes it hard to get monetized. To be honest, the

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

 Support work can be challenging, but music can provide comfort, energy, and a sense of solidarity. Here’s a lighthearted list of songs that resonate with different aspects of care work, from medication support to meal planning. Whether you're a caregiver yourself or just want to appreciate their efforts, these tunes hit the right notes. 1. "Witch Doctor" by David Seville Theme : Medication Support This playful song reminds us of the often mystifying world of medications and treatments. The catchy “oo-ee-oo-ah-ah” can lighten the mood, making the process of helping clients with medication routines a little less clinical. 2. "Seconds from Violence" by The Exploited Theme : Positive Behavior Support (Therapeutic Support) Sometimes things can escalate quickly in care settings, especially when emotions run high. This song’s raw energy mirrors the intensity of managing challenging behaviors, reminding us of the importance of de-escalation and therapeutic support. 3.

Low-Support Needs Clients: A Different Skill Set, Same Level of Care In the world of disability support, there’s a common assumption that clients with high-support needs demand the most attention. However, this isn’t the full picture. While individuals with low-support needs may not require constant physical assistance, they still deserve the same level of care and attention. What’s often overlooked is that low-support clients require a completely different skill set from their support workers. It’s not about doing less—it’s about understanding their needs, filling in skill gaps, and ensuring a high standard of care that’s tailored to their situation. A Different Skill Set for Low-Support Needs Clients Supporting a low-support needs client isn't necessarily easier; it’s different. Unlike high-support needs clients who may rely on physical or daily living assistance, low-support needs clients often need support in other areas, such as life planning, managing schedules, and personal