Lets Not Lay Blame in 2013!

When no ones to blame

One very wet Australia Day Weekend

Just two years on Queensland is once again experiencing major flood levels over a significant part of the state. Just as we finished rebuild business and Homes waters again are invading our streets and home. The lost and the pain are still.

Our lives may of looked normal, but emotions were ready to crumble as the black clouds gathered we held our breach, surely it could not happen again.

I remember our pleased I been to finally hear rain drops on the timber roof next door. Finaly the bushfires ashes would settle and life giving rain had arrived.

But not one thought we see creeks running fast and breaking their banks waters rushing towards the Bremer and Brisbane rivers. Business only just reopened from the 2010 floods, lie under the water again today, like grave yards standing still in time.

We close our eyes and try to still our minds. The rain the water and mud are back. It has happened. Now whose to blame?

The government urge from clam, as they release water form the dam in preparation for the weekend rain. But it was too late, we go more rain than predicted. In truth we could not do much more than the authorities did two years again. 

Car park at our local shopping center

We could not stop the waters flowing into our street, homes and lives then and nor can we do it again. Rain and water has to move on somewhere. It has to move down through our water ways making its way out to sea. The no tap to turn it off! No dam big enough to hold 3 or 4 meters of rain in three days.

Flood victims for 2011 are set to sue the state government for no releasing flood waters, now they’re set to blame the state for the releases. I saw the politicians struggling to get it right yesterday. We hoped, we prayed but again we could stop the flood. Again it would choose its cause, winding in and out of our streets at will as we hold our breath.

Where's the river disappeared too?

Again there is no one to blame and again we hurt. Once again all we can do is cry, and pick ourselves up and try again. I pray blame games don’t happen.  We have hurt on top of hurt. Lets deal with that instead of playing the blame game!

Look out for people with disabilities at this timei

Before 8 am this morning the phone rang. Unusual for a public holiday but not entirely unexpected given the flood warning issued for Ipswich and surrounding areas last night. "I Deb just checking you have power and you ok!". 

I reply, "I am fine, I one of the lucky ones.  Ring Christine and tell her not to come to work tonight I don't want my staff in danger.' 

While I have that luxury, So people with disabilities do not. If anything the floods of 2011 brought that home to me. Disabilities Services are able to make calls and get those most risk to respite care centers or hospital, but in the main many support staff can not reach clients. The are people with disabilities depend on paid support workers just to get them out on bed. 

As the flood waters and number of road closes increased by the hour, the likely hood that staff can reach clients decreases. Many support staff also face crises themselves, as their homes flood for the second time in two years, the emotional toll on the entire community is running high. 

But together we got back on our feet last time and together we will get through again! My message to the community is unless you in the evacuation zone or helping family stay off the roads.  Many are cut and that is increasing by the hour. But a wander next door to en elderly neighbor or someone with a disability would best the best help.

Many are now without power so if you can check food supply or take a hot meal these are the safe ways to help. Not out out on the roads in your cars. For flood effect areas in Ipswich visit Ipswich City Council Website

Keep safe everyone,
Debbie

Having Epilepsy Shouldn't Put You Out On A Limb

Debbie's Purple Day

Online Art Auction

26th March 2013

Purple Day is an International Day to raise awareness of the lives people with Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders in the community. Having seizure dispute your normal daily routine. "should not put you out on a limb!" 

Having seizures never defines who I am as a person. Like 40% of people who experience epilepsy my seizures are unpredictable, making holding down full time work not feasible. It  can take me a few hours to recover from a seizure. However my seizure do not prevent me from living a fully active community life.

This is a very significant year for me, as I am very fortunate to be one of forty-one people around Australian living with a disability participating in the Leaders for Tomorrow Program.  One of my goals in the program is to be able to establish myself as an artist in my local community.  

In addition to my seizure disorder, I also have CP. I always have been interested in art, however at school, especially to my parents, a career in art was not seen as a viable option. I happy to tell you today, my artwork hangs with pride in the house along with other artwork.  

Just as cerebral palsy hasn't prevented me for pursing my art, not has epilepsy deter me from public speaking, poetry performance, presenting academic papers and a public life. I have far from locked myself away because of my epilepsy. 

Someday's when I'm out performing my poetry, I shine. Other days after performing I want to crawl under the table and hide. However, my motto is why hide away and miss opportunities to Shine. 

On March 26th I am auctioning some of my artwork to raising money to support the on going work of Epilepsy Action Australia, who provide free support to people living with epilepsy and seizure disorders and their families, as well training and epilepsy training to the community. 

Pictured above is one of my works that will be up for auction, you can bid @ Purple Day Art Auction However you must be able to pay for items online at my secure Fundraising page       

Debbie Chilton
Purple & Proud

You are invited to . . .

Debbie's Purple Day Art Auction

On 26th March 2013 (24 hrs Only)  

Click Here For Your Invite!

Art for a Cause

Debbie's Purple Day

Online Art Auction

Help Unmask Epilepsy! 

On March 26th 2013, 

You can help unmask epilepsy

by attending 

Debbie's Online Art Auction

Open for 24 hrs only!

"Freedom For All"

Pictured above is a work to be completed

to auction on Purple Day!

You can find out more about Purple Day 

and Epilepsy Awareness at

purpleday.com  

Details of where and how to bid to come.

or for more details email me.

Click Here To Make A Bid

My Life! My Choice!

Rosy's Fight Continues  

My Life! My Choice is scribble across every document that I read on the governments current disability brochures! However these words are only true, if you tick the Departments boxes, that I yet to find any fits. These word are certainly not true for Rosy, as the department of communities are asking her to move from her own home to a group home on Sunshine Coast. One fails to comprehend what part of this is Rosy choice and why she would want to live 2 hours away from the TAFE she attends.

In the article published today in the local Sunshine Coast paper. The department claims to be working with Rosy as her emergency funding is not sustainable.  Hello! What is the department doing using emergency fund, when this lady needs a full time support package!  It is obvious is was appointed in appropriated funding in the first place, if it has continued to needed to be topped up.

Once again the department has failed in its duty of care to carry out future planning with their client.  Despite all their claims a consulting process does not exist. Funding is assigned according to what you can't do. Not what you want to do.  The policy should be called Your Life! Our Rules!

OK so maybe that's a bit unfair of me, here's the choice I was given 14.5 hrs per week or risks dying!  Some choice! I actually yet 22 hours a week support by supplementing it with some HACC funding . So tell me Mr Newmann how is it that I can get more funding than this lady?  Tell where the funding system is working.  Tell Rosy she has choices about her life. 

Why are we told one thing when the reality is completely different.  Own up and admit people with disabilities have no say and no rights about lifestyle choices.

The assessment process in outdated; funding is incorrectly assigned, policies are not meet, even the department admits best practices are unattainable and the reality the department as half the funding it needs just to operate!  Tell me what part of the wheel works.

Please share Rosy story, the human rights commission said Rosy rights are being violated. Rosy has no time to wait until the NDIS is introduced.  Come stand with Rosy and tell the department It's her life! It's her Choice! .       

Congratulations to Kurt Fearnley

Its great to see our Every Australian Counts campaigners being recongised by all levels of governments. As we work towards the introductions and trail of the National Disability Insurance Scheme to create a fairer system for all people with disabilities, regardless of there disability and how the disability was acquired. Where you live should not determine what level of funding you receive. 

As Kurt points out in his address the current system discriminates, those who are looking employment opportunities and study at tertiary level. There is a wide spread misconception in the community the people with disabilities and the families want handouts.  The purpose NDIS is a move away from welfare, its focus is on helping people with disabilities, their carers or guardians full participate in communities.

Currently many family members of someone with a profound disability would  love to be able to work, however currently the receive little or no support to care for their love one.  For those who require 24 hour care, only 2 weeks, 24hr respite care per year is available for caregivers under 65 in Queensland.

Despite some misreporting in the media, the NDIS is not another welfare payment.  Regard than payments being made on the bases of diagnoses, funding will be goals based, so if someone has a goal to drink at the pub every day, it is not likely to provide that person with funding.  That person receiving free counselling to deal with the anxiety and depression the person has as a result of their disability.

Thanks to people like Kurt at the start of July this year 20,000 people with a disability will trail the NDIS, which is exciting, because we'll get to see what works and what doesn't, before the full scheme is implemented and changes more difficult to make.

We have learnt from decades for using broken systems to see one sizes fits all approaches don't work. Nor do systems that encourage a sense on entitlement. A goal based system encourages people to earn support and hopeful improves self esteem in the process.

If your serous about disability support reform you need to educate yourself about current policies, purposed changes and be activity involved in the decision making process. You can do this by visiting Every Australian Counts Website   

It's often the first step that counts the most!

Debbie