Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
There been too much rain, they cried.
Despite for rain we held over breath,
Hopeful as dark clouds gathered in the skies,
As the grey clouds burst their tears,
Too much rain, too much rain we cried.
No! Surely not again!
No not so soon! Not so soon!
But they were on our TV screens again.
There been too much rain, they cried.
They tear flowed, we prayed,
We hoped and pray some more,
Until the river broke its banks again,
There been too much rain, they cried.
We stand and watch in disbelief,
As watch our river rise,
Now nervously we wait for it to peak,
There been too much rain, they cried.
We close our eyes and pray again,
Our city’s heart again in flood,
Two years, two years too soon,
There been too much rain, they cried.
Debbie Chilton (c) Copyright, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Lets Not Lay Blame in 2013!
When no ones to blame
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
Keep safe everyone,
Debbie
Saturday, January 26, 2013
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
Friday, January 25, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Art for a Cause
Debbie's Purple Day
Online Art Auction
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| 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
Details of where and how to bid to come.
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