I feel so very frustrated at the state of our Disability System here in Australia. We live in what is considered to be a lucky country, one of the richest countries in the world, yet many people living with disabilities struggle to access the necessities of life. They face a constant struggle of trying to obtain resources and support for their loved ones.
People with disabilities and their families don't expect special treatment they just want the barriers removed that make their lives and the lives of their loved ones lonely & isolating.
Working in the the disability field and having a brother with a disability I can see, like many others, that we are experiencing systemic failure... this system is broken, it's flawed and it needs attention yesterday. I find it profoundly shocking to know that this is happening in todays world and in a democratic country.
These Australians are waiting for a change that is so very slow coming. Sadly, too slow for some families, who've been forced into a corner and who've made the decision to relinquish their loved ones just so that they can get their loved ones the care they require. How terribly tragic is this?? It is so so wrong.
It appears to me that rather than meeting the needs of the individual ....programs & services are being built around organizational needs and it's very wrong!
There is little choice provided and it just seems to me that a one size fits all approach is being taken with regards to provision of care.
I struggle so very hard to understand the flaws that are so very evident in this broken system. I can't understand the inequity in the system which see people with disabilities receiving different levels of support depending on their disability ... it seems mad to me!!!
To me it's logical that any change that occurs to a service should be a positive change but in recent times I have seen changes made that have created a new barrier to clients and their families ... how is this OK???
I have spoken to many families that tell me how isolated and lonely they feel in caring for their loved ones. They, like any other parent with a child, want and expect what is best for the loved one but the barriers that they face are plentiful which understandably causes great frustration. They feel abandoned by their government. It is terribly sad!
There is a saying that goes "It takes a village to raise a child" and I believe this with all my heart and soul. Communities need to stand up for the rights of 'ALL' their children.
We need to fight to make this right!!!
Yes, we need to make this right...
ReplyDeleteamen, i agree, ironically i just went to a celebration last night on civil rights...
ReplyDeleteKatherine....
ReplyDelete(((BIGHUG)))
This is so sad. Change can come so slowly that people are left behind. I hope this cause is given more attention and made into a bigger priority. As Brian said, it is a civil rights issue.
ReplyDeleteGovernments, schools and sometimes society in general just want to ignore these issues. As a parent of a child with anxiety disorder, I have lived this.
ReplyDeleteI hear you and like you try to speak out - I know things are supposed to be better because of awareness but maybe that is a blind to make people believe that those with disabilities are doing better
ReplyDeleteI'm astounded at what is lacking even in basic education
Keep speaking up my dear
Thanks you all for your supportive comments. I came home so annoyed & angry on Friday after talking with a few families at a client social event and hearing of things that are happening to them... trouble with accessing services, waiting periods, excessive fees... all of which is keeping the barriers well and truly up. It is just so obvious to so many people yet nothing seems to be happening to change it!! I want to do something but what???
ReplyDelete