Mother, Grandmother and Baby
OR TWO
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
Nominate for the Australia 2020 Summit
Much has been made of the Prime Minister’s initiative to hold an Australia 2020 Summit at Parliament House on 19 and 20 April to help shape a long term strategy for the nation’s future. His aim is to “bring together some of the best and brightest brains from across the country to tackle the long term challenges confronting Australia’s future –challenges which require long-term responses from the nation beyond the usual three year electoral cycle”. People have dismissed it as a useless talkfest (“Ruddfest”), while others have commended him for at least attempting to think outside the square normally set by party politics.
Whatever you think about it, consider this. Disability might not be a topic of conversation at the Summit. The government has so far listed the following 10 critical areas to be contemplated:
1. Future directions for the Australian economy – including education, skills, training, science and innovation as part of the nation’s productivity agenda
2. Economic infrastructure, the digital economy and the future of our cities
3. Population, sustainability, climate change and water
4. Future directions for rural industries and rural communities
5. A long-term national health strategy – including the challenges of preventative health, workforce planning and the ageing population
6. Strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion
7. Options for the future of indigenous Australia
8. Towards a creative Australia: the future of the arts, film and design
9. The future of Australian governance: renewed democracy, a more open government (including the role of the media), the structure of the Federation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens
10. Australia’s future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world.
We could squeeze disability under “health” (point 5) or “inclusion” (point 6). But we need to make sure someone puts it there.
So.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Australia 2020 website or call toll fee on 1800 703 599. They must be in by 25 February 2008.
Go on. Nominate yourself!
Much has been made of the Prime Minister’s initiative to hold an Australia 2020 Summit at Parliament House on 19 and 20 April to help shape a long term strategy for the nation’s future. His aim is to “bring together some of the best and brightest brains from across the country to tackle the long term challenges confronting Australia’s future –challenges which require long-term responses from the nation beyond the usual three year electoral cycle”. People have dismissed it as a useless talkfest (“Ruddfest”), while others have commended him for at least attempting to think outside the square normally set by party politics.
Whatever you think about it, consider this. Disability might not be a topic of conversation at the Summit. The government has so far listed the following 10 critical areas to be contemplated:
1. Future directions for the Australian economy – including education, skills, training, science and innovation as part of the nation’s productivity agenda
2. Economic infrastructure, the digital economy and the future of our cities
3. Population, sustainability, climate change and water
4. Future directions for rural industries and rural communities
5. A long-term national health strategy – including the challenges of preventative health, workforce planning and the ageing population
6. Strengthening communities, supporting families and social inclusion
7. Options for the future of indigenous Australia
8. Towards a creative Australia: the future of the arts, film and design
9. The future of Australian governance: renewed democracy, a more open government (including the role of the media), the structure of the Federation and the rights and responsibilities of citizens
10. Australia’s future security and prosperity in a rapidly changing region and world.
We could squeeze disability under “health” (point 5) or “inclusion” (point 6). But we need to make sure someone puts it there.
So.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Australia 2020 website or call toll fee on 1800 703 599. They must be in by 25 February 2008.
Go on. Nominate yourself!
Friday, 15 February 2008
Mobility!
There are moments you could just sing with joy!
Boo Boo did something extraordinarily today. Extraordinary simple for most kids here age. Amazing for her. She played with the bottom drawer in the kitchen, pulling all the plastic pots and lids out. Nothing special? Think again.
I had an appointment at The Spastic Centre yesterday. Nothing important, just one of those "let's see where you're at" meetings.
Michele the OT was impressed with Boo Boo's cognitive development, and told me it was time for a radical change. "This kid needs to get mobile" she said. "Yeah, right", I'm thinking, we're talking about a little girl that can't sit independently, so getting mobile seems a bit off the mark to me. But I hadn't counted on Michele's inventiveness.
Michele pointed out that any kid her age is getting around, either walking or crawling, and discovering the world. According to her, Boo Boo was ready for this, in fact needed it as part of her development. So, it's time to investigate a small motorised wheelchair for her. I must admit, I didn't even know they came for kids this young, but I guess it makes sense, so someone somewhere surely makes them. She will get this process started. In the meantime, Michele said, "let's give her a Silver Fox to teach her to drive and steer and explore". A what?
Off she went, and you should have seen Boo Boo's face light up when she saw the little red motorbike Michele came back with. Boo Boo loves ride-on toys, and this one was no exception. It didn't take her long to work out how to make it go (it has been adapted by Technical Aid for the Disabled) and off she went, cruising along the long corridors of TSC Ryde, squealing in delight.
We were allowed to take the Silver Fox home, and Boo Boo had another go this morning. She drove around the whole house, pointing to me where she wanted to go and me steering - that's one skill she's yet to master.
She drove to Possum's room. There, she opened his wardrobe and pulled all his pant out onto the floor. Mess! Fun! She drove to the speakers next to the radio and danced, pointing at the speakers. Yes, that's where the music comes from. She waved "bye bye" to Mamma, and drove herself to the bathroom, to have a good look at that funny toilet thing we all use, and to check out the bottom of the sink. She drove to the kitchen, to open the bottom drawer with the plastic containers and lids. She opened and closed the drawer many many times. Chucked the containers on the floor. Giggled, put them back in, and threw them out again. Pulled a face when her fingers got ever so slightly stuck in the drawers. Oh, the joys of exploring your environment. The freedom! She was squealing and drooling in delight.
Boo Boo did something extraordinarily today. Extraordinary simple for most kids here age. Amazing for her. She played with the bottom drawer in the kitchen, pulling all the plastic pots and lids out. Nothing special? Think again.
I had an appointment at The Spastic Centre yesterday. Nothing important, just one of those "let's see where you're at" meetings.
Michele the OT was impressed with Boo Boo's cognitive development, and told me it was time for a radical change. "This kid needs to get mobile" she said. "Yeah, right", I'm thinking, we're talking about a little girl that can't sit independently, so getting mobile seems a bit off the mark to me. But I hadn't counted on Michele's inventiveness.
Michele pointed out that any kid her age is getting around, either walking or crawling, and discovering the world. According to her, Boo Boo was ready for this, in fact needed it as part of her development. So, it's time to investigate a small motorised wheelchair for her. I must admit, I didn't even know they came for kids this young, but I guess it makes sense, so someone somewhere surely makes them. She will get this process started. In the meantime, Michele said, "let's give her a Silver Fox to teach her to drive and steer and explore". A what?
Off she went, and you should have seen Boo Boo's face light up when she saw the little red motorbike Michele came back with. Boo Boo loves ride-on toys, and this one was no exception. It didn't take her long to work out how to make it go (it has been adapted by Technical Aid for the Disabled) and off she went, cruising along the long corridors of TSC Ryde, squealing in delight.
We were allowed to take the Silver Fox home, and Boo Boo had another go this morning. She drove around the whole house, pointing to me where she wanted to go and me steering - that's one skill she's yet to master.
She drove to Possum's room. There, she opened his wardrobe and pulled all his pant out onto the floor. Mess! Fun! She drove to the speakers next to the radio and danced, pointing at the speakers. Yes, that's where the music comes from. She waved "bye bye" to Mamma, and drove herself to the bathroom, to have a good look at that funny toilet thing we all use, and to check out the bottom of the sink. She drove to the kitchen, to open the bottom drawer with the plastic containers and lids. She opened and closed the drawer many many times. Chucked the containers on the floor. Giggled, put them back in, and threw them out again. Pulled a face when her fingers got ever so slightly stuck in the drawers. Oh, the joys of exploring your environment. The freedom! She was squealing and drooling in delight.
Such simple things; suddenly within her reach. Magic. Pure magic.
So now I'm off to toddler-proof the house and learn how to put video onto the web...
Thursday, 14 February 2008
Comparisons
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I greatly applaud the apology made to the Stolen Generation.
I know not everyone agrees with this. There have been many discussions around the apology, people of all walks of life have been heard speaking and thinking about it. The discussion has even popped up on some online forums I belong to. Tania, a mother of a child with cerebral palsy got me thinking with a thought-provoking email, written from her heart. Let me quote her eloquent words:
“What about the disabled children who grew up in institutions (especially in the 60's during the thalidomide era)? Have they been able to seek compensation? Does anyone care about what they went through? Has anyone said sorry to them?”
Fair point.
There is a historical wrong to right here too. The time for a new beginning here, too. With adequate funding for therapy and services. Funding for education. Healthcare. Employment. And a change in attitude.
Amazing, really, how remarkable close the experiences of Aboriginal peoples and people living with a disability.
This link off course has a long history. Fiona, another mother of a child with CP, put it nicely when, she pointed out the Nazis not only targeted Jewish people, they also destroyed Gypsies because of the colour of their skin, homosexuals, and people with disabilities- anyone in short who didn't fit or look like their desired profile, their standard of “normality”.
Fiona has faced a long battle to ensuring her child gets the supports he needs to be educated at his mainstream school. She has a way with words, and I can only do justice to Fiona’s point by quoting her fully:
“I too increasingly think about life in terms of diversity and notice how the people who help [my son] in various ways instinctively value diversity. I understand too perceptions of the apparent unfairness of singling out indigenous Australians for sorry and possible compensation when so many other people should also have their different problems acknowledged and addressed. So many of us – like many Aboriginals - hurt very much from the exclusion of our kids and the injustices they suffer.”
I know not everyone agrees with this. There have been many discussions around the apology, people of all walks of life have been heard speaking and thinking about it. The discussion has even popped up on some online forums I belong to. Tania, a mother of a child with cerebral palsy got me thinking with a thought-provoking email, written from her heart. Let me quote her eloquent words:
“What about the disabled children who grew up in institutions (especially in the 60's during the thalidomide era)? Have they been able to seek compensation? Does anyone care about what they went through? Has anyone said sorry to them?”
Fair point.
There is a historical wrong to right here too. The time for a new beginning here, too. With adequate funding for therapy and services. Funding for education. Healthcare. Employment. And a change in attitude.
Amazing, really, how remarkable close the experiences of Aboriginal peoples and people living with a disability.
This link off course has a long history. Fiona, another mother of a child with CP, put it nicely when, she pointed out the Nazis not only targeted Jewish people, they also destroyed Gypsies because of the colour of their skin, homosexuals, and people with disabilities- anyone in short who didn't fit or look like their desired profile, their standard of “normality”.
Fiona has faced a long battle to ensuring her child gets the supports he needs to be educated at his mainstream school. She has a way with words, and I can only do justice to Fiona’s point by quoting her fully:
“I too increasingly think about life in terms of diversity and notice how the people who help [my son] in various ways instinctively value diversity. I understand too perceptions of the apparent unfairness of singling out indigenous Australians for sorry and possible compensation when so many other people should also have their different problems acknowledged and addressed. So many of us – like many Aboriginals - hurt very much from the exclusion of our kids and the injustices they suffer.”
We have a long way to go to right the wrongs of the past, and improve the living conditions for Aboriginal Australians and disabled Australians alike. Our national leaders had their moment yesterday. As of today, the floor is ours again!
For those of us up to the challenge, here are some starting points:
Family Advocacy
Physical Disability Council of NSW
People with Disability
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Association for Children with a Disability
Carers Alliance
And you can post your experiences and opinions on:
What carers need wiki
Equal not Special blog
For those of us up to the challenge, here are some starting points:
Family Advocacy
Physical Disability Council of NSW
People with Disability
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Association for Children with a Disability
Carers Alliance
And you can post your experiences and opinions on:
What carers need wiki
Equal not Special blog
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Proud Australian
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has delivered the long-awaited apology to Australia's Stolen Generations.
Addressing a packed House of Representatives this morning, Mr Rudd said the Parliament apologised for laws and policies which had "inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians."
"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry," he said.
"To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry".
"And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry."
Addressing a packed House of Representatives this morning, Mr Rudd said the Parliament apologised for laws and policies which had "inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians."
"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry," he said.
"To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry".
"And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry."
As a mother, and an Australian, I feel very proud of my country today. We finally had the grace to take this hughely significant step. Onwards and upwards!
Monday, 11 February 2008
Tranquillity
Here two photo's from my first ever weekend away as a mother.
It was wonderful.
Thank you Hubby, and thank you Michelle and Seana.
It was wonderful.
Thank you Hubby, and thank you Michelle and Seana.
Sunday, 3 February 2008
Friday, 1 February 2008
Little Miss Chatterbox
At the ripe old age of 22 months, Boo Boo has discovered the mobile phone.
When Mel left to go to work in Queensland, she dropped off some old hats, handbags and mobiles for the kids to play with. They have all been used extensively, but none as much as the old white mobile with shiny pink buttons. Boo Boo has appropriated this phone, and makes regular calls to various friends and family members.
She babbles endlessly into the phone, which she holds by one of her ears (although often the wrong way round). I then ask her who she's talking to by listing people's names, and she will shake her head until I come to the right person, and then she giggles and nodds. It's her favorite game of the moment.
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