Access: Who Are Disabled New Zealanders?
71 Responses
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Hilary Stace, in reply to
Addressing disability abuse is complex. I'm in the process of writing something about it all which I might turn into a post (or more than one).
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BDB Inc, in reply to
HUH ?
Is Access not organised?
Is it not a group of people( disabled, loved ones disabled or just great people) ?
Have reservations about the effectiveness of existing groups/organisations?No better place to voice the changes desired.
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Sacha, in reply to
ah, I see what you mean. Not well enough connected or resourced for action though - yet. :)
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Sacha, in reply to
Have reservations about the effectiveness of existing groups/organisations?
That's me, to be fair - not a collective position of any sort.
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"Usually I'd say support existing organisations who are doing that, but in this case I have major reservations about their effectiveness." Sacha
"You can make demands now, what are your demands? "BDB Inc
Agree 100% Sacha....I have reached the point of absolute despair at the lack of effectiveness of existing organisations.
Very, very good point BDB Inc. What are our demands?
I'll start. I would like to see a closer and more trusting relationship between DPO's and Carer groups...especially Family Carers. At present it seems that some disabled people view family carers poorly. I understand that 'independence' (whatever that means) has been hard won by many... but disabled people who choose live with family...parents, spouses, children etc....are treated differently than those who live 'alone' or away from family. Those of us who care for our loved ones and who asked to be paid for providing necessary care have been told by other disabled people that if we are paid then it will lead to "abuse, neglect and exploitation. " I am still reeling at this....and have totally failed to manage anything like a reasonable conversation about this with the top DPO...without that line being eventually trotted out.
I bet others can define their demands.
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BDB Inc, in reply to
But you have already taken action, providing a non judgmental space to discuss issues. No change occurs without the acknowledgment of facts, putting those facts out there is an action.
Without open honest talking nobody would know that their situation is not a one off thing, that other disabled people in NZ are experiencing the same discrimination. -
BDB Inc, in reply to
Thats a good and reasonable demand Rosemary, that kind of DPO slander of supportive and loving carers is all about their image & money. They have nothing to support their claims.
DPO's thought up an excuse for the public in order to discredit all the unpaid family carers . -
Sacha, in reply to
failed to manage anything like a reasonable conversation about this with the top DPO
The then-head of that DPO was a witness for the Misery of Health *against* those parents and disabled people who took the case. #unfrickinbelievable
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Sacha, in reply to
Without open honest talking nobody would know that their situation is not a one off thing, that other disabled people in NZ are experiencing the same discrimination.
Thank you. That's one of my hopes.
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BDB Inc, in reply to
The new director of DPA is someone called Megan McCoy, first she was a secretary at the NZ ministry of foreign affairs (not educated in the field no disability study - a political background) then she went to Cambodia (AusAID ). The Cambodian disability programs noted at the conference she attended were already in place some (one as long as 20 years).
My thought is that access could try to talk or do an interview with the new " disability director" about the unfounded smearing of family carers of the disabled in NZ? -
Sacha, in reply to
The new director of DPA is someone called Megan McCoy
do you mean the Office for Disability Issues in MSD?
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Rosemary McDonald, in reply to
I have a copy of that persons 'testimony'. Prior to the case going to the HRRT this person was approached to bring the matter up at a regional meeting...did not happen. Some of what was said I agree with....some was obviously based on possibly personal experience that did not necessarly represent the majority. Whatever...the HRRT found that the policy was discrimination...and the concerns expressed by X could be easily addressed by monitoring.
The" Misery" of Health??? That's the word I used that got me bumped off the fb page!!! That, and "Miserly".
Seriously though, folk can get tunnel vision, only focussing on one issue and usually on their own experience...that's perfectly fine...UNLESS you are a card carrying spokesperson for a representative group. In that case...ALL experiences and situations have to be considered.
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Rosemary McDonald, in reply to
"Without open honest talking nobody would know that their situation is not a one off thing, that other disabled people in NZ are experiencing the same discrimination."
Exactly.
If the aim is to make one feel alone and isolated....sure has worked!
Methinks BDB Inc...you have been around the block more than a few times.
You certainly seem to have grasped which end is up.
Maybe there is some hope for the future after all?
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Sacha, in reply to
that persons 'testimony'
.. led to the closure of the North Shore and (less directly) Auckland branches shortly afterwards. Extremely unimpressed.
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Sacha, in reply to
folk can get tunnel vision, only focussing on one issue and usually on their own experience
Yes, it takes more to understand how my experience relates to others like me, and to others unlike me.
Context is another leap again. Takes time and energy. On average, disabled people have less of both. Hence we need investment to level the playing field. And accountability to keep it that way.
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BDB Inc, in reply to
If we all focused attention on one issue at a time to distribute facts and correct what people have been told that is well used spare time and energy (however much anyone has)
" DPA New Zealand is a Disabled Person’s Organisation (DPO) that includes all disability groups." Thats what it claims but It does not include ALL disability groups.
What we have that which levels the playing field is the truth and truth is its own reward.The reason they cover up what they are doing is because the majority of the public would not support what they do and they know this.
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BDB Inc, in reply to
As long as you are drawing a breath there is hope for the future.
I mean the experience of ignorance of others to bring unity here.Feelings of isolation and being alone in this world are common to all (but harder to overcome when it feels involuntary ).
I found the ignorant "looks" some people give me harder to understand. "The Look" consists of different levels of "uncomfortableness" included are grades of disgust, dislike, embarrassment. On the rare occasion when you get a conscious person who does not judge you it feels wonderful.
I too want to always be that conscious person.
I try not to start thinking/judging others based on their appearance or the way they look at me.
I even use to think of some of the MSD, CCDHB & ACC employees as zombies, and you can't really blame a zombie for being a zombie . The accountability & changes in thinking that are needed top down (education in disability studies and passion for helping others -not a politician for the head of a DPA ) could help turn the conditioned minds back into thinking feeling human beings .
They have the wrong cause and it is saving money for the Crown and State and they will break any laws to do it and that is plum wrong and should change. -
Rosemary McDonald, in reply to
Oh boy...do we know that "Look".
My partner( a pre ACC tetraplegic) and I get about quite a bit....a lot in fact. Peter claims that after 43 years he no longer sees it...unless he looks, so he avoids eye contact. Some days, however, when he's in the mood, he will deliberately go out to engage with the "Lookers"....force the issue. Met a few folk who do that! We have actually done an informal survey...about 25% will see past the disability...or use the obvious disability to come and have a chat. The other 75%, and there are some very highup MOH staff amoungst them, simply cannot handle it.
I get your "zombie" tactic. We have the "Murray" tactic. You can just tell, by looking at them, that it is simply not worth the effort nor the oxygen to try and engage with them, to try and get them to understand....because they simply do not have the capacity to do this. Which is probably how they got the job in the first place.
Oh dear...terminal cynicism....I hope it is not catching!
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Rosemary McDonald, in reply to
My partner and I have the advantage of having spent about eight years after he had to stop working providing care in our home for disabled children and young people.
A wide range of disabilities/impairments/conditions...whatever is the correct terminology today!
Our conclusion? MOH:DSS must, and I mean MUST, start doing what it was always supposed to do from the dawn of the NASC era, and start treating disabled people on an individual basis. Individual assessments. Take that person...assess what they can do, what needs doing for them, what is needed in the way of support to keep them healthy, safe, and having some sort of quality of life.
ACC(bless them, for all their sins) have a very good assessment system for those in their Serious Injury service.
Raging debates about 'models' of disability have not helped the assessment process...avoidance of words like "needs", "supports", "care"...
The reality is...as Our Leaders are so fond of saying....some people will always need a high level of hands on care and 24/7 'within earshot' support.
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BDB Inc, in reply to
I initially used the zombie analogy for "unconscious" people (giving me "the look " or avoiding looking )then decided that I was just doing what they were doing if I judged them (by their judging me by appearance).
Now I am open to everyone, if they react negatively I can now think kind thoughts and feel compassion towards them. As you said they do not at this time have the capacity to be kind and compassionate. -
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