feature
All
of me
Everyone needs help and
support with something,
writes Marlena Katene.
T
44
he other day, as I pulled out of
my driveway, I noticed people
disability care in Australia I hope that created, defined, moulded or even
the people in my life would support challenged.
me in holistic and creative ways,
I have been blessed to have
thus allowing me to also support my people support me in holistic ways,
community. and the manner in which my needs
As a young woman with cerebral
have been met has improved over
palsy I have no choice but to receive the years. I now have complete
ways. The next-door neighbour was care if I want to be part of my autonomy over who supports me and
getting her dog washed; another community. I am non-verbal and my in what ways. In the past, the only
neighbour was mowing the median wheelchair is part of my existence. option was a service that provided
strip. As I went around the corner I However it is only one part of my basically anyone that was available
noticed the RACQ was helping an identity, albeit a major part. If I don’t for that shift. My needs and life are
elderly gentleman change the tyre receive help to get out of bed in the a constantly evolving process. While
on his car. This got me thinking. Is morning my world literally comes to the average person may be able to
requiring help or assistance a bad a halt. Therefore, the care I receive adapt to these changes, for a person
thing? Do people, like me, that have determines how I can participate with disability this adaption can only
disabilities need to rely on the ‘good in my community and live my life occur if you have supporters that
people’ of the world in order to exist outside societal perceptions of adapt as well. Likewise, as a university
and be part of communities? Is it what having Athetoid Cerebral palsy graduate with many goals, I doubt
unreasonable that I would want non- means. How I am supported often I will be in the same position I am
paid people in my life as well? With contributes to the way other people’s currently am in say one or even ten
the current changes in the delivery of perceptions of my disability are years.
were being supported in many
incontinence and personal care
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