Annie in wonderland

From Locked Gates to Community Belonging: Real Voices on Disability Care Support in disability and aged care has come a long way—from institutions and asylums to person-led care and community inclusion. But even now, how we design support still depends on the model we’re using—whether consciously or not. These models don’t just affect policies and funding. They shape how people are treated, how they feel about themselves, and what kind of future they can imagine. And while we often focus on modern best practice, it’s important to know where these models came from—and how echoes of the past still influence the present. 🧙‍♀️ Disability in Folklore and Fairy Tales Before we had formal systems or scientific diagnoses, societies used stories to explain difference—and those stories often weren’t kind. Changelings: In European folklore, a changeling was a child believed to have been swapped by fairies—often because the child behaved differently, didn’t speak, or didn’t make eye c...

 Here's the updated full post with your additions merged into the history section. I've double-checked for privacy and sensitive info — nothing personal or identifiable is included, so it's safe for public posting. 🌍 Tipping Points, Truth-Telling, and Trusting What You Feel: A Guide for Unsteady Times Trigger Warning: This post discusses feelings of anxiety, climate change, geopolitical events, and emotional well-being. If these topics are distressing, please take care of yourself and consider seeking support from trusted professionals or loved ones. Feeling Unsteady in an Unsteady World? Lately, many people are noticing a growing sense of restlessness or unease — whether it’s trouble sleeping, a feeling that the world is shifting, or worries about climate change and global events. These feelings are valid, and you are not alone. This post explores how to be honest with yourself and your support team, protect your peace, and find ways to navigate change without fea...

A Great Day Out at the Ipswich Nature Centre – Free, Fun, and Full of Surprises Looking for a budget-friendly day out that ticks all the boxes — accessible, relaxing, fun, and educational? The Ipswich Nature Centre in Queens Park is one of those hidden gems that makes for a perfect outing for all ages. Whether you're a support worker planning a group activity , a parent looking for affordable school holiday ideas , or just someone needing a nature fix, this spot has something for everyone. 🌏 For Our International Readers Ipswich is a regional city in Queensland, Australia , about 40 minutes’ drive west of Brisbane , the state capital. If you're not from Australia and you're curious where all this is happening, here are some helpful links: 📍 Ipswich Nature Centre on Google Maps 🌿 Queens Park, Ipswich 🦘 Where is Queensland? (Google Maps) 🌏 Where is Australia on the world map? If you're ever planning a visit down under, Ipswich is a warm and wel...

Support Is More Than a Service — It’s a Network of Real People Good support isn’t simply about ticking boxes or having a list of services attached to your plan. It’s about the people around you. Real, caring individuals who contribute in different ways, coming together to help you live your best life. This network might include: Family — They often know your history, your likes and dislikes, and can sometimes anticipate your needs without words. Even if physical distance or circumstances like lockdowns keep you apart, family can be a source of grounding and comfort. And yes, families can argue — but in healthy families, those arguments are part of a larger pattern of communication and repair. Families can help teach and model communication. That’s powerful. Friends — These are your chosen family. They support you emotionally, listen when you need to talk, celebrate your wins, and stand by you during setbacks. Good friends accept you as you are, without judgment or unrealistic expecta...

Fun and Easy Day Trips with a Support Worker | Exploring Small Country Towns Looking for simple, enjoyable ideas for your next outing with a support worker? Whether you’re planning with an agency or just brainstorming some options, this video is full of great suggestions—especially if big excursions aren’t your thing right now. Small country towns are full of charm, history, and hidden gems. They’re often close by, low-cost, and make for a relaxing day out. Pack a cut lunch for a picnic, or treat yourself and support the local cafés and attractions while you're there—every visit makes a difference! These trips can be a great way to get out, see something new, and enjoy a day that’s tailored to your pace.

 Whether you’re packing for a day centre client, a busy professional, or anyone in between, the right bag makes all the difference. Backpacks aren’t just for students—working professionals, therapists, and allied health practitioners rely on them too for ergonomics and ease of use. In this long-form guide, we’ll merge practical tips, specialist advice, and real-world considerations so you can choose—and customize—the perfect backpack or bag for your loved one. 1. Start With What They’ll Be Doing Activities & Outings : Will they join community trips, cooking classes, art therapy, gardening, gym sessions? Bags for off-site excursions need to be durable and water-resistant. Storage & Transport : Are bags stored in lockers, left under chairs, or piled on a bus? If they’re frequently moved, look for a backpack that’s tough yet discreet. Support Level : Do they have full-time assistance, or do they navigate independently? Independent users benefit most from backpacks with easy-ac...

 A friendly, practical guide for carers, families, and support workers packing lunch for adults attending day centres or community access programs. Let’s face it — packing lunch for someone else can feel like prepping for an exam with invisible rules. Every centre has its own vibe, policies, and characters (yes, we all know a "Tuna Sandwich Offender"). Then there’s the mystery banana that comes home every day untouched (looking slightly more tragic each time), or the juice box that leaks through a bag like a sticky betrayal. This guide is here to take the guesswork out of it — and maybe get a giggle along the way. Whether you’re team “cook in advance” or more of a “sandwich club on standby” kind of person, we’ve got you. From food safety and mealtime management to sneaky treat ideas and rubbish-free swaps, this post is all about keeping lunch simple, safe, and something your person actually looks forward to. ✨ Pro tip: Packing with the person instead of for them can be a ...

 A cheeky, compassionate guide for carers, families, and support workers prepping bags for day programs for people with intellectual and other disabilities. We’ve ranted in previous posts about what a good day centre bag should include — but what about the things that shouldn’t be in there? This post is here to help you avoid the accidental oopsies, weaponised water bottles, and the dreaded squashed tuna sandwiches at the bottom of the bag. Let’s also take a second to talk about the bag itself. Choose something sturdy and easy to open, especially for people with fine motor difficulties. Bonus points if it’s machine washable (because accidents happen), has compartments, and is big enough to carry everything from lunch to a library book. Trust us, size does matter — especially when you want to avoid everything being squashed into one mystery-smelling compartment. And before you drop your Easter cleanout haul at the local op shop, check if your centre could use those extra shopping ...

 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...

🎒 What’s in the Day Centre Bag? A Survival Guide With a Side of Banana, Personality, and Possibly a Conspiracy Heading to a day centre or community group can be the best part of the week—but only if you’re prepared . That’s where the humble day bag comes in. It’s your lifeline, your snack vault, and sometimes, your glitter explosion containment unit. Let’s pack smart. Let’s keep it light-hearted. And let’s all agree not to be that person who accidentally swaps bags and ends up going home with Brenda’s banana and Colin’s crochet project. ✅ The Bag Itself Choose a washable, practical backpack . Here’s the dream criteria: Big enough to fit everything, but not so bulky you need a Sherpa. Easy to open and close , but not so open that your lunch jumps ship or your meds end up in someone else’s bag. Washable (because things will leak. Trust us.) Something your loved one can actually use. If zips, straps, or lunchboxes are tricky, practice at home. Even better, let them help p...