Posts by Rosemary McDonald
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Access: Fighting seclusion with…, in reply to Hilary Stace,
And Natrad....
Big cheer from the Bus in Kaitaia this am at the announcement...
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Access: Fighting seclusion with…, in reply to Hilary Stace,
Kirsty Johnston finds another case of institutional abuse this time in the Waikato
There is a very good reason why Himself and moi spend as much time as possible as far away from our Waikato home.
The NASC has a default setting for residential "care" for those who's care needs are in the too hard basket.
You have to earn the 'right' to live in your own home....
Disability Support Link can help with home care, supported independent living, rehabilitation and respite.
"It took several months before we could get her into a community home," Walters said.
"She had to be able to stay overnight on her own and to be able to look after her personal needs."
Of course, we all know that "being able to look after (your own) personal needs" is definitely not a requirement for 'independent living'....
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While we're scrutinising Sam, who rather uncharacteristically ably fielded a question from Annette King about (potential?) means and asset testing for Home and Community Support Services for Older People inthehouse on Tuesday.
Now, means and asset testing for HCSS is not a new concept, it was discussed in some depth (here by Treasury) as being a potential option.
Another potential option was expecting families to provide more unpaid support.
However....clarification was sought from his office and means and asset testing for HCSS was ruled out.
They will increase eligibility requirements, and very possibly try and force those who own their own homes into residential 'care' (as then the property is then effectively owned by the government).
In the meantime, while they are trying to sort out the Old People in a fiscally sustainable manner, younger disabled people with a desire to live outside of institutions are joining Poor Old Sam under the bus.
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Access: Fighting seclusion with…, in reply to Hilary Stace,
The official reason is probably something about ‘privacy’ or ‘safety’.
Back in the early, early nineties when elderly with dementia were being channeled into the private facilities, a similar line was trotted out to family wishing to visit. Much easier to pop down and see Mum after work if she's in a 'home' in town, rather than in the facility out in the wops 3/4 hours drive away.
So much in the way of bad care could be hidden by discouraging random visiting.
Criticism of the care provided would be met with "If you don't like the way we do it....do it yourself." I kid ye not.
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Access: Fighting seclusion with…, in reply to Russell Brown,
But, oh my, what a woeful performance by Sam Lotu-Iiga.
Not the first time poor old Sam has found himself on a hot griddle.
Sometimes methinks he's used as a kind of sacrificial lamb.
(you'll remember he was in charge of Corrections?)
It was painful to watch....I actually felt sorry for him...
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Access: Fighting seclusion with…, in reply to Marc C,
I know this is not encouraging, but my observation is, in general society has become more heartless and selfish, weighing up every aspect of their individual’s lives, what benefits themselves, before anyone else.
Marc, it may well be that I tend to speak more with others on the margins...other Bus dwellers who are refugees making the most of bad situations beyond their control, travelling in the 'regions' where impacts of health and disability require a greater degree of resilience to cope...
But I have noticed that more and more people do get it. They are personally affected, or know someone who is personally affected.
The huge increase in the numbers of people trying to access mental health services, the significant increase in the numbers of children with a diagnosis of autism....
Disability, including mental health issues is becoming almost 'normal', or even 'usual'...give it time (she types with uncharacteristic optimism) and maybe these conversations will have more impact on policy.
Or not.
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Access: Fighting seclusion with…, in reply to Hilary Stace,
One of the problems in Ashley’s case is finding and funding an appropriate physical house
I'm somewhat surprised the suggestion has not been made that Ashley's parents move out of their house so Ashley and his support team can move in.
Or maybe that has already been suggested?
If so....the media need to put it out there that this is often the proposed "solution" proffered by 'providers'.
Lillith....no surprises that Ashley's situation has not improved despite earlier media attention.
When the spotlight dims, life, such as it is goes on. We cope, we do the best we can. We hope that one day 'the system' will finally acknowledge the rights....the citizenship of those New Zealanders surviving with various disabilities....but we don't hold our collective breath.
Ashley's Mum and Dad are in the place occupied by thousands before them.
Absolutely shitting themselves with worry at what will become of their beloved child/spouse/other disabled family member in the event of their death.
In the total absence of ANY real, meaningful or effective advocacy.
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Access: Fighting seclusion with…, in reply to Peter Davis,
Are there other countries/systems that deal with cases of this kind in a better way and, if so, can we hear about them?
They had been institutionalised their whole life. I read words like ‘challenging behaviour’ and ‘severely autistic’ and ‘violent’ before I even met them (I use they/them to protect their identity).
They were not allowed into the front part of the house where other people lived. They were not allowed to ‘visit’ the community, despite ‘living in the community’. Their room stank of urine.
The walls all had holes in them. On many occasions we physically restrained them, sometimes for well over an hour. They tried to stab me with a spoon and they threw a microwave at my head.
Because it is something I am very ashamed of being a party to, even though I was doing my job and doing what I was told I must do. Because the memory of that person now haunts and drives me to change things.
Because that person is now living in their own house, goes into THEIR community every day and receives 1 on 1 support (not 2 on 1) and is never violent or restrained. How’d that happen? They moved services.
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... astute collective activism.
What does this look like, Hilary?
(Well done, Kirsty, BTW, again.) -
Access: Disability as a wicked policy problem, in reply to Sacha,
Cos they were once worth it.
And right there Sir, nail gets hit on head.
Banging on and on about 'rights'...who gives a shit? Really?When the government knifed us in the back over the family carers thing, other than here on PA and over at Pundit, most folk simply failed to grasp that here was a declaration from the New Zealand Government that disabled New Zealanders and their families should not expect the Human Rights Act and the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act to apply to them.
At that point, each and every disability 'advocacy' group should have told the government where to stick their nice funding packages and organised mass protests.
Told the government where to stick its Disability Strategy.
Refused to play the game.