October Newsletter Living a Full Life.

Dear friends,

It’s an interesting way to start this letter, as I reflect upon these uncertain times. We need a lot of friends and allies to help us through these complex changes brought about by the changes of the NDIS – https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/latest

These changes should not really affect us too badly as long as we stick together as a community, as a body of people who share same ideals that people living with a disability should be afforded the same rights to live and be active in our societal system. It is the responsibility of a progressive government to assist and ensure that people will be able to face these changes in a way that would increase their capacity, increase their involvement in the community and bring about a social change. A social change that calls upon us to be more accepting of diversity and more inclusive of others. 

Here at Solution ideas we are committed to assisting you to understand the changes and assist you in achieving a full life, in a way that will increase your capacity, knowledge and supports that best work for you.  I call upon you all to call us at solution ideas and speak to one of our professionals about how we can make your life fuller and exciting. 

Thank you. 

Words from Sid

October 2024- Travels

Hi Folks,

My name is Sid. I am an autistic non speaker. I use AAC tools, primarily the Grid for IPAD, to communicate. I am an advocate for nonspeaking autistics.   

 We are planning our next holiday. All of us need support to make decisions. Neurotypical people use their friends and family or a counsellor to do it. It is not that different when I do it. People who know me and care about me talk me through the process, help me to clarify my choices by understanding what will happen if I do one thing rather than another and then hit on one choice. In my case, because I am nonspeaking, my support circle needs additional skills. They have to help me work through the process through typing. It looks different but it is not really.  

I may not see the Amazon or Machi Pichu. My travel buddy is not made of stern stuff. I thought the historic monuments of north India were within my travel companion’s scope. So North India got my vote. This is a region of India known for its tumultuous history and architectural marvels.  

For beauty and elegance, the Taj Mahal is renowned. I am looking to be spellbound as every visitor to Agra is.  

The forts and palaces of the ancient rulers of Rajasthan are unique. When I am there, I expect the legends of heroic kings and queens will be evoked.  

In my itinerary I have brought balance by including a tiger reserve. My trip is not all about history and monuments. It is also about the wild and natural. 

As an Aussie of Indian descent, I want to experience the new as well as the old.  

I’ll get an understanding of the past, the contemporary, and the unique natural and modern landscape in the way I have planned my itinerary. Short stays in metro cities and long road trips will give me plenty of time to observe modern India.  

I had assistance from my support workers and family to plan my holiday and develop my itinerary. The words used for this type of assistance are ‘supported decision making’.  

You will see videos on my website that show how I make decisions. My website is https://unspokenstory.com.au/ You can then view my videos from a link on the website.  

In my next newsletter, I will tell you all about my trip to India. Till then…… 

Sid.

Words from Kay

October – Employment

Hello everyone,

Kay here. We all have the right to meaningful work, and today I’ll be talking to you about my good and bad experiences in the workplace.  
 
After completing year 12, I joined a program called Transition to Work where they educate and prepare you for the workplace. I then completed Community Services Certificate 3. When I transferred to a job agency, I told them I enjoy being around children. They are cute, innocent and cheeky 
 
A few months later I was working at a childcare centre. My role there was taking photos of the children and uploading them on the computer, monitoring them while it was playtime or resting time and also taking notes on specific kids on their progress in the activities or if there were any concerns. 
 
My boss was a Lebanese Muslim like I am and most of the staff and children spoke and understood Arabic so I felt comfortable with that. I enjoy being around children as they would play and sing and just be happy. They would come up to me and ask me “WHY YOU ON THE WHEELCHAIR?” or “WHAT DOES THIS/THAT BUTTON DO?” I felt like the kids were eager to know more about me and that I was accepted by the children and their parents. 
 
What I didn’t like about working there was that I wouldn’t get invited to staff activities: if they were getting takeaway, they wouldn’t consider me and ask me if I wanted anything, or at the end of year parties I wouldn’t get invited. During the five years I worked there I was only invited once. When it came to the yearly group photos, I generally wasn’t asked to be in the photo… just the one time. And there was no accessible toilet so I had to hold it.  

It’s not a nice feeling to be left out. It makes me feel vulnerable.  

I loved all the children there but I have to say I had my favourites. Watching them from when they first started childcare to growing up and seeing them start big school was a sad moment and it was hard to say goodbye.  

At the end of 2018, I decided that I no longer wanted to work there and that I wanted to try out a different career path. People with a disability just want to be accepted into the workforce. People should not just focus on our disability but our ability to do things. We should be given a chance and not be looked down upon. Being around people including children gives us a feeling of inclusion and we should be accepted like everyone else. 

I now work with my peers at Diversity and Disability Alliance and for Solution Ideas writing this newsletter. We share with each other our stories, experiences, successes and downfalls. We support one another with all we do and don’t let our disability get in the way of us accomplishing. People with disability have goals and ambitions like everyone else and whether if takes a short period of time or longer, we can do anything.  

I like to have a voice.  

Kay.

Words from Maina

October – Gratitude and Meditation

“Why do you look so happy?” I’ve been asked these many times. Why should I not look happy? “Well, you are in a wheelchair and surely you must be so disappointed that life is not fair. How do you look so happy viewing the circumstances that you are in?” 

“Why do you look so happy?” I’ve been asked these many times. Why should I not look happy? “Well, you are in a wheelchair and surely you must be so disappointed that life is not fair. How do you look so happy viewing the circumstances that you are in?” 

THE POSITIVES 

I look at what I have, not what I don’t have. In other words, I look at the positives never the negatives. If you do that, you realise how much you have.  

I am Maina. I am a lawyer, and I’ve had multiple sclerosis for 32 years and counting. I graduated to a wheelchair 16 years ago. 

GRATITUDE 

Before I sleep, I think of all the beautiful things that have happened to me that day. I feel gratitude for everyone who has shown me kindness. I’m talking about the person who made me coffee in the shop. I say thank you for them to exist because they made me a beautiful cup of coffee. I feel gratitude for my daughter who rang me up to see how I am.  I thank my parents who brought me up. They have been dead for a while. I think of the carer who got me out of bed and gave me a shower. I think of the taxi driver who took me to the gym.  So, you see, there are so many things to be grateful for.  

Why is gratitude so important? In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness:  

‘Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. People feel and express gratitude in multiple ways.’ (1) 

MEDITATION 

I do meditation daily because it calms me down and sends me to a quiet space. This relaxes me and makes me ready to approach the day with cheer and grace.  

“Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit your emotional well-being and your overall health.” (2) 

If you are interested to learn more about meditation, I can recommend Headspace (3).  

One minute guided meditation for beginners, (Headspace) 

References 

1, Giving Thanks can make you happier, Harvard Health Publishing, August 14, 2021 

2, Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress, Mayo Clinic, December 2023 

3, Headspace information 

Maina.

Kay and Sid are our Lived Experience writers. They offer insight into living with a disability. In this months issue, Maina has joined with Sid and Kay sharing her lived experience into Living a Full Life.