Access by Various artists

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Access: The First Day

10 Responses

  • Craig Young,

    Damned excellent post, Fiona. Over in Brisbane, my sister Janine is the sole carer for my nephew Jordan, who has osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone syndrome). She has her own home, but it's a constant struggle to insure her deadbeat dad ex- husband pays his fair share of child support on time and he also rarely uses his visitation rights. Life would be impossible if it weren't for my parents helping both of them out. And don't get me started on Aussie child support enforcement... :(

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 573 posts Report Reply

  • Rosemary McDonald,

    Luck, in vast and copious quantities Fiona!

    Someone commented on another site the other day on how good people with disabilities have it in NZ.

    Both barrels they got.

    Great post.

    Waikato, or on the road • Since Apr 2014 • 1346 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __,

    Thank you for sharing this Fiona.

    And very best of luck. :-)

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    Thanks for this Fiona. Just wondering, have you had anything to do with the Enabling Good Lives pilot programme in Christchurch, or is Claudia too young?

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Goodoh,

    I hear you. Can I tell you though that having a job that's YOURS and filling your head with other things is so liberating. My daughter is now 30 (jeeeez) and lives in her house round the corner, with amazing carers who come and go. We have no services - we just make it up as we go along. Instead of a job she goes to loud action movies, cruises the aisles at Bunnings, or goes for rolls along the beach. She comes home for Sunday lunch and the whanau pop in and see her. When I push her home she knows more people on the street than I do. Thank you individualised funding.
    I'm telling you this because there are ways you can reclaim your life, and forget all the shit that systems, and services, and experts, and plans dish up endlessly. It's been tricky for us at times - and sometimes we've had to deal with risks that would make your hair stand on end - but we get there because we do it for love and for family.

    Wellington • Since Feb 2008 • 25 posts Report Reply

  • Fiona Mckenzie,

    Thanks everyone ; really loved being back in the world of the working - even looking forward to tomorrow. All the more special because I came home to a fed and showered daughter and a cold glass of Verve Cliquot waiting for me. Could get very used to this!

    Christchurch • Since Jun 2015 • 16 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Stowell,

    Great to hear the job AND family life going well :)

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report Reply

  • Berinthia Binnie, in reply to Fiona Mckenzie,

    Word!

    Congratulations Fiona, thrilled for you!

    Big milestone for Claudia too, everyone gets to that point of differentiation from Mum and Dad and it’s a metamorphosis alright.

    Parents like you make me feel really proud.

    Since Sep 2015 • 23 posts Report Reply

  • Fiona Mckenzie, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    Hi Hilary,
    No we only moved here at the beginning of the year and Claudia is too young/still at school. I hear positive things though!

    Christchurch • Since Jun 2015 • 16 posts Report Reply

  • Fiona Mckenzie, in reply to Berinthia Binnie,

    wow thank you

    Christchurch • Since Jun 2015 • 16 posts Report Reply

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