Humanity Platform

In this day and age, the art of having a say is even more important than ever, as evident by this years 20th anniversary of the Having a Say conference. With the changing world of the NDIS people with disabilities need to have the ability and skills to speak up. The Having a Say conference allows us to do this. Having a Say allows people with disabilities to come together and influence policies and procedures, and the disability services we receive. It allows us to meet fellow people with disabilities from around Australia and the world. This years conference has workshops, exhibitions and presentations covering things like building safe and respectful cultures, our choice as well as workshops on public speaking, theatre, music and much more. The Together Project is one example of how participants at the Having a Say conference are empowered to speak up on serious issues like abuse and neglect in a creative art exhibition. I have always been very lucky to be good at the ...

I have been thinking for the last few months that many minority groups, whether they be disability groups or cultural groups, the LGBTQI community or the feminist movement would gain equality easier if we all worked together. I have recently been disappointed by many of my celebrity male heroes. The #MeToo campaign made me go back and watch Emma Watson's HeforShe UN speech and I have decided to take some small actions as a "real man" to show solidarity with all the females in my life. I am the first to admit that in the past I would make sexually inappropriate comments just because I thought it was funny but now I think before I speak. The recent right wing protests in Australia calling for an immigration ban on African and Muslim people is absolutely ridiculous. The colour of someone's skin does not make them dangerous. Like everyone I have my own subtle prejudices but someone's skin colour has never been a factor in my decision making. I have many frie...

This blog post is the third in the series inspired by my reflections on the abuse and neglect suffered by people with disabilities. The Together Project is an art collaboration designed to create a safe place for people to discuss their experiences. For me watching people's creations has made me reflect on my own life experiences. I know statistically between 85 to 90 % of people with disabilities may experience some form of abuse in their lifetime. Until recently I would have said that I do not fit into that category but I am speaking up in this blog to demonstrate that abuse can be severe or subtle. Please read my poem 'Lock Box' to discover my true experience. For anyone that is interested in getting involved the exhibition will have a space at the 'Having A Say' Conference 2019 because together we can find a way. Lock Box A moment in fear all I hear is the ticking of the clocks.  I have an unhealthy obsession with security; I hide everything...

The disability service commission report into deaths of people with disabilities receiving disability supports is a shocking read. The report highlights significant failures from service providers across Victoria in both government and non-goverment funded services. The report found an increased risk of choking for many service users because service providers are not following appropriate professional advice around feeding plans. In 2018 people should not be dying from choking-related hazards. "This important review tells us that some Victorian disability service providers are not meeting their obligations under the Act to uphold the rights, safety and wellbeing of people with a disability," said Disability Services Comissioner Arthur Rogers (the Commissioner). Incomplete and incorrect communication plans were also shown to be a contributing factor in many of the deaths investigated. As a person living with a disability, I know that without my communication ...

International Day of People with Disabilities is a day to reflect on the lives of those living with disabilities. Like everyone else in the community there are people with disabilities who are successful athletes, artists, business owners, and university professors. We also have our share of trials. As a person with a disability I do not see myself as better or worse than anyone else in the community. While the International Day of People with Disabilities is a great opportunity to highlight the wonderful things that people with disabilities are capable of, I also see it as an opportunity to highlight areas where there is much work to be done towards equality for all people. In September this year I was deeply affected by Greens Senator Jordan Steele-John's speech in the Senate where he read out a list of those people with disabilities who have died in care. Since that day I have not been able to stop thinking that we need to do more. I hope the following poem that I have p...

It is almost time for another state election and this year I have been put in a position where I have realised how important government support can be to a person's life. Obviously there is not unlimited funding but it is important to focus our vote on the party that spends money supporting the community and not the party that cuts funding so much it creates a petrified money tree. I think this poem will illustrate why government support and funding is crucial.  Petrified Money Tree I think of a petrified forest and it's darkness and it reminds me how quickly lack of money can create a mess.  Instead of an entire forest though I am responsible for one petrified money tree because of a year of weakening ability.  Usually it is my words and music that feed my family's money tree and make it grow but when my disability stops me the tree's growth does slow. Such a tree should not be as skinny as a sapling or vine. It is amazing how quickly fortunes can ...

As another Mental Health Week comes to a close it is important  to remember that not all illnesses have physical symptoms. My cerebral palsy is easily identified b y my wheelchair but when I'm out and about no one can identify the psychological struggle I've had to fight over the last twelve months just to get out of bed. So now I share the following poem in the hope it will teach some people that they do not struggle alone and that your mental health is more important than just a week.  Hard Time Have you ever been sentenced to hard time Before you've even committed a crime?  Have you been sent to prison Where the only bars are your own psychological scars? How many times have you tried to dig through the mental cell wall But just when you're about to break through You don't even have the energy left to crawl.  Have you ever spent a year or more Locked in a small room staring at the ceiling? And you're only cellmate is an anxious an...