Public Address | Cafe | Access: Defective, deficient, deviant and delinquent

Sacha

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 19:21:27 +1200

Boy with Down Syndrome and violent behaviour kept in Chch mental health unit due to lack of appropriate lower-restriction facilities. Children's Commissioner is unamused and seeing similar cases.

Hilary Stace

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 10:43:56 +1200

The link to the 60 minutes documentary of the drug experimentation on institutionalised girls no longer works, and I cannot locate it. But here is a newspaper account of the documentary. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2819957/State-drug-test-victim-claim

This aspect alone requires an inquiry and some accountability. There are also allegations of drug testing and experimentation…

Hilary Stace

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 08:39:51 +1200

This was one of the first posts I ever wrote for Access – 3 years ago. I am pleased to see the call for a full inquiry and apology is gaining traction again – most recently by a commitment by Jacinda Ardern for an inquiry when the Government changes.

Since…

Hilary Stace

Fri, 05 Feb 2016 13:49:29 +1300

Thanks Joe – finalising this project will be significant for a lot of people

Joe Wylie

Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:27:40 +1300

Tokanui memorial.

Sacha

Sun, 04 May 2014 20:57:46 +1200

the disability sector generally

I've tried to shed some basic light on what we mean when we say that.

Hilary Stace

Sun, 04 May 2014 20:10:52 +1200

I think some of these comments are unfair. There are some very good people in DPA, DPOs and the disability sector generally. They do their best with limited people and financial resources. These organisations are their members.

BDB Inc

Sat, 03 May 2014 19:04:03 +1200

"Robotic tools of tyranny"

BDB Inc

Sat, 03 May 2014 18:17:59 +1200

Thank you Margaret .
The HDC could've acted as it was about CCDHB provision of services( all HDC patient code of rights ) . Its submitted in the district court under human rights violations, crimes act, ( IPRC act ACC) and UN convention its with the govt, minstry of justice…

Margaret Moana McGregor

Sat, 03 May 2014 15:31:12 +1200

The totalitarian patriarch in power (acted out by Paula Bennett) will aggressively attack and lie without blinking. It looks like it becomes second nature ( her conditioning) to act in an unreceptive and hostile way.

Yes, and she's only one prominent example. You'll get "Black is white" statements from MOH,…

Margaret Moana McGregor

Sat, 03 May 2014 15:22:21 +1200

Deficient and delinquent politicians, we has them.

we most certainly do, and inexorably we return to politics. BDB Inc, like many others, has had a torturous experience at the hands of the medical establishment, and his/her complaint has not been heard and addressed. It isn't much to ask.

If in…

Sacha

Sat, 03 May 2014 09:44:53 +1200

Deficient and delinquent politicians, we has them.

BDB Inc

Sat, 03 May 2014 09:25:09 +1200

Yes I know you are not defending the HDC in this case( as I told you it was service provision and fit within the bounds of HDC Code of patient rights).
I stress this as I feel the top down philosophies of said politicians have contaminated many crown & state agents…

Sacha

Sat, 03 May 2014 08:15:23 +1200

I'm not defending anyone, just pointing out the bounds set by politicians that the agency you're talking about has to fit within. It's certainly not a good thing.

BDB Inc

Sat, 03 May 2014 07:45:58 +1200

I understand the HDC Code and what they can act on. I have not described the services provided its the "steven King horror movie" (services included being left unwashed & immobile in a hospital bed for two months at home)
Interesting defense of the HDC our experience of their service differs.…

Sacha

Sat, 03 May 2014 07:05:26 +1200

a UN tribunal

I'm sure she's quaking in her boots.

Kumara Republic

Sat, 03 May 2014 02:44:29 +1200

Here's the sort of official response that's sadly all too common when someone challenges the system.

The target of Paula Bennett's dismissiveness reflects:

I should have known this would end in a personal attack by her on my state of mind and intentions.

If we don't want Paula Bennett being…

Sacha

Fri, 02 May 2014 19:33:13 +1200

You are describing "non-provision" of services above. HDC can not act on those. They can act on quality of care that was actually provided.

BDB Inc

Fri, 02 May 2014 19:31:33 +1200

The provision of service complaint were of criminal negligence and the CCDHB had the Medical protection society (MPS dr's liability insurer) managing the service provision complaints.

BDB Inc

Fri, 02 May 2014 19:28:01 +1200

Whoops posted same post three times( if you would like to remove two of them)
Yes the HDC could and can act on shoddy provision of services as that was part of the HDC code complaints but did they not . The complaints about the CCDHB provision of service are…

Sacha

Fri, 02 May 2014 18:41:57 +1200

In theory disabled people are not allowed to be refused the minimum level of care/services at the public hospital

HDC's governing law explicitly excludes denial of service from the things they are allowed to pursue. This has been suggested by HDC and others for change every time their Act is…

BDB Inc

Fri, 02 May 2014 18:35:41 +1200

I will try in brief
In theory disabled people are not allowed to be refused the minimum level of care/services at the public hospital, a disabled patient in critical condition ICU cannot be referred by the CCDHB to ACC "active rehab"/case management in the hospital environment, non purchase and provision…

Angela Hart

Fri, 02 May 2014 15:45:02 +1200

Here's the sort of official response that's sadly all too common when someone challenges the system.

yes, challenging it is dangerous and I know I'm vulnerable. There are too many examples from the Problem Gambling Foundation down.

Hilary Stace

Fri, 02 May 2014 15:13:20 +1200

That's really sad. Sarah Wilson is so brave, and I'm a great fan of her writing. However, Ministerial visits can actually be quite false. Everyone rushes around to present the image required by the media and the official party. Anyone slightly critical or dangerous is kept well out of the…

Sacha

Fri, 02 May 2014 14:29:38 +1200

Here's the sort of official response that's sadly all too common when someone challenges the system.

The target of Paula Bennett's dismissiveness reflects:

I should have known this would end in a personal attack by her on my state of mind and intentions.

Angela Hart

Fri, 02 May 2014 13:02:27 +1200

The trouble with reports like this, policies etc, is that they assume a genuineness, an honesty, a will to do the right thing, take the appropriate action and so on. The trouble is that although there are many good people working for the various ministries and agencies, they usually have…

Hilary Stace

Thu, 01 May 2014 21:05:51 +1200

http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/putting-people-first-review-of-disability-support-services-dec13.pdf

The late Bev Grammer had significant input into this report, and I heard from the Ministry of Health today that they have a new advisory group to implement all the recommendations.

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 20:56:49 +1200

The Ministry of Health's recent Russell report Putting people first

Link?

Hilary Stace

Thu, 01 May 2014 20:52:57 +1200

It could be the wording of the act possibly as the HDC Act only applies to patients, and it could be that disabled people in some circumstances, such as in community care, are not considered to be patients. But the Health and Disability Commissioner has made several recent reports on…

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 20:31:14 +1200

Emailed you.

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 01 May 2014 19:47:27 +1200

Sacha; did you get my message offering to send copies of a couple of interesting articles from Australian journals?

Sacha

Thu, 01 May 2014 19:42:57 +1200

What happened to HDC patient rights, I was told by the HDC in a colorful way that they do not apply if you are disabled,

Can you explain more? I know law prevents HDC examining denial of service, but otherwise should be effective across disability services too, in theory.

BDB Inc

Thu, 01 May 2014 17:01:33 +1200

When abuse happens and is reported to the agency and then to the govt, the actions are not of acknowledgment, the agents wrongdoing is sanctioned and supported by attempted coverups and excuses. I am not saying the individual abusers heads should roll. I am asking that they are taught right…

Hilary Stace

Thu, 01 May 2014 13:17:57 +1200

It is International Blogging Against Disableism Day today. Here is Robyn Hunt's contribution to disability rights and the cause http://www.lowvisionary.com/?p=623

Angela Hart

Thu, 01 May 2014 10:07:35 +1200

The best and the worst is drawn out in those who care or are responsible for our most vulnerable. And Tokenui is still happening, just in other facilities, and less obviously. We can't tolerate these situations, if we know or suspect we really must speak out or we're condoning it.

Hilary Stace

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 09:20:31 +1200

Just come across this parent perspective of Tokanui http://barbznz.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/nightmare-of-tokanui/

Rosemary McDonald

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 16:03:48 +1200

Absolutely correct Angela. Nathan's death does not warrant a criminal charge because he had a disability. Had he been an 'able' child in day care for instance...the brownstuff would have hit the whirly thing for sure.

Our family new this young man. No way should he have EVER been left…

Angela Hart

Sun, 27 Apr 2014 00:29:57 +1200

Not a direct response folks, sorry. But I just have to vent my frustration, anger and concern at the news that no-one at the respite facility which left a 15 year old to drown in the bath is to be charged for the negligence which caused his death.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9981142/Anger-over-lack-of-charges/
I…

B Jones

Sat, 26 Apr 2014 16:34:38 +1200

A friend of mine lost her mother at a young age. She told me her father was encouraged, not sure by whom, to put the kids into care rather than raise them on his own. Luckily for her that didn't happen.

Chris Waugh

Sat, 26 Apr 2014 10:27:08 +1200

the students look on with bewilderment

People are great like that, aren't they? So great at seeing the absurdities of distant phenomena, so bad at seeing the exact same absurdities playing out in their everyday life.

Geoff Lealand

Sat, 26 Apr 2014 09:12:17 +1200

Yes, the Mazengarb Report is quite extraordinary. I refer to it when I teach about moral panics and the students look on with bewilderment, even though I stress that panics about ‘dangerous youth’ persist.

Josephine and I recently had remarkable insights into how local communities can support —and even treasure–vulnerable…

Sacha

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 20:50:10 +1200

My linguist brother talks about how vocabulary is an important part of thinking.

words shape worlds

Russell Brown

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 20:42:46 +1200

he refused to attend school. He was interested in marine biology to the exclusion of all else (and was probably bored by what his peers were doing and was being bullied) and was basically teaching himself. They finally discovered at the home that he had a massive IQ. These days…

Russell Brown

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 20:41:33 +1200

Right now I’m seeking second opinions from health professionals as to whether I’m officially on the autism spectrum.

Having met you quite a few times now, my unofficial finding is that you are :-)

Hilary Stace

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 10:46:09 +1200

That explains why I was never allowed to eat apples or tomatoes.

Renee – Good for them. Brave too. Were your parents early members of the NZ Autistic Society (as it was then)? I have heard from others that it was very hard to fundraise or gain acceptability for autism…

Kumara Republic

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 20:16:21 +1200

Right now I'm seeking second opinions from health professionals as to whether I'm officially on the autism spectrum. If it turns out I am, then years of 'tiger mothering' will be proven worse than useless. In Japan, the hikikomori phenomenon is a direct result of such a bigger-hammer approach towards…

sandra

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:35:02 +1200

It wasn't only learning impaired children that were put into institutions – I recently met a man who, during the course of an interview about gardening, revealed he had been put into a welfare home at age 14 because he refused to attend school. He was interested in marine biology…

Sean_us Handley

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:13:30 +1200

Our daughter had eczema, probably my defective genes. We beat it now with avoidance of some acidic fruits like braeburn apples, all foods with MSG, the occasional dose of cider vinegar and plenty of sleep – stress makes it worse.
I also had an aunty who was subjected to ECT…

Hilary Stace

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:00:55 +1200

Robert said in 2009, and I use this quote quite often
Though it’s great that New Zealand closed its last institution (Kimberley Centre), being institutionalised is not just about the buildings – the bricks and mortar – it’s also about values, beliefs, actions and activities. It’s about the way things…

WaterDragon

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 13:16:18 +1200

Nice post Hilary about some of our silenced lives. I never cease to be amazed/bemused at the huge variety of ways that disabled lives have been, and continue to be, made invisible within a society we inhabit. The institutions such as you describe have had a long shadow and looming…

Ianmac

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:59:33 +1200

A complete stranger waiting ahead of me in a Post Office queue, suddenly swung around with cell phone in hand. She trembled as she told me that she had just received a text from her daughter who had just given birth to a Downs Syndrome girl. I was able to…

Sacha

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:58:45 +1200

Troublingly, even though the institutional model is gone, I’m not sure if the mindset is.

It affects the expectations of some senior disabled leaders as well.

Renee Jones

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:44:50 +1200

My brother was diagosed with autism in the early 1970s. It was recommended to my mother that he be put into "care". She declined and she and my father did an amazing job of bringing him up to be able to deal with the world pretty damn well.

Russell Brown

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:04:22 +1200

Thank you, Hilary. I’ve dwelt on this over the years. It’s quite likely that in another era, we would have been urged to give up one or both of boys in this way.

Troublingly, even though the institutional model is gone, I’m not sure if the mindset is. We were…

Sacha

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:02:10 +1200

Thanks, Hilary.

He spoke at the United Nations during the drafting of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as head of the NGO, Inclusion International.

Wasn't Robert also the first ever person with impaired learning or thinking to speak before the United Nations? Amazing man.

Public Address

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:02:10 +1200

Discussion from blog post.