Australian Women’s History – Memoirs of Tilly Aston

Although we have not seen a million things we understand quite well, we have seen something else with which we can compare new impressions; something which makes it possible for us to SEE, perhaps more vividly than many unseeing sighted people, the gifts of beauty or grandeur strewn around us. Tilly Aston If you are …

Understanding the NDIS Plan

For many Australians living with a disability the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has become such a regular part of life that it can be difficult to remember how life was before. For our son Dan, who has autism and an intellectual impairment, the NDIS is the way in which he receives the supports that …

Living with Dignity

Today, December 3rd, is the International Day of People with Disability. It is an annual event designed to “increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.” Each year there is a specific theme, and this year, quite appropriately, it is “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible …

NDIS: No Choice, No Control

The final months of the year are always a busy time. The school year comes to a close and we start preparations for Christmas and the Summer holidays. It is an even busier time for us as it coincides with the time of Dan’s NDIS plan review. For people with disabilities and their families the …

#BookSnapSunday – Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (1883-1924) begins with a startling opening sentence.  One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. Understandably Gregor’s family are quite shocked and distressed by his sudden transformation. Not really knowing quite what to do, they lock him away in …

#BookSnapSunday – The First Stone

Have you ever finished reading a book, skimmed through some reviews on Goodreads and asked yourself: “Were we reading the same book?” The First Stone by Helen Garner was controversial when it was first published in 1995 and it still deeply divides readers today. In 1992 a Master at Ormond College in Melbourne was charged …

National Carers Week – Why Do We Care?

National Carers Week has been celebrated in Australia since 1992. It aims to recognise and celebrate the significant contribution that unpaid carers make to the Australian community. This year the theme focuses on the stories of carers asking them the question -  Why Do You Care? 1 in every 8 Australians is caring for a …

#Book Bingo -Friendship, Family and Love

This year I am continuing to participate in Book Bingo hosted by Theresa, Ashleigh and Amanda. For the month of April I am checking off the Friendship, Family and Love box with When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald. Published just this year, the book stars a loyal and brave heroine, Zelda, who loves Vikings …

Cruising the Whitsundays

    Last week, Dan and some of his friends from Yellow Bridge boarded the P & O cruise ship, the Aria, and headed up to the Whitsunday Islands for a four night cruise. The Whitsundays are a group of islands 900km north of Brisbane in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. They are …

NDIS Review 2019

The last few weeks have been quite stressful as we finally moved into our new house and completed our third plan review with the NDIS. Moving house is surely one of the top ten stressful events in life. You would think that after 18 previous moves, I would have this down pat. Nope. It was …