Adelaide Adventures

Published in 'Newslink', Headstart ABI Service; October, 2017

 

 From September the 5^th I travelled to Adelaide for two weeks.

This began with a flight down to Melbourne to visit my sister and her partner. The five days spent with them were packed with activities. There was a meditation workshop, her regular Tuesday night Art class, a trip to the Botanic Gardens and a visit to Coombe Cottage- previously the Estate of Dame Nellie Melba. The scones there were excellent and the restaurant’s setting real cosy. 

Then I bunked at Melbourne Central YHA ready to rise bright and early for the the Overland train to Adelaide. 

By 7:30 I was up and waiting on the platform. Our departure was delayed due to track-work, but we soon regained what time we lost. The landscape was marked by sweeping fields of canola flowers, rolling hills and rugged terrain. The sudden appearance of ‘Stobie Poles’, an answer to the dearth of long and termite-resistant timber in SA, said we had truly left Victoria behind.

At Parklands station I met Mr and Mrs Paul and Dawn, dear old friends. Rewind eighteen years, and you’ll see two families happily hanging out together in Adelaide Hills. Return to the present day, and the sentiments remain the same.

For the first few days I hung out with Paul, Dawn and their daughter Lorinda. We visited the beach at Brighton, saw late artist Hans Heysen’s residence out at Hahndorf and most nights entertained ourselves with various movies such as Lars and the Real Girl and Top-Gear’s Polar Special.  A trip on the tram from Glenelg seemed customary, and come mid-week I was soon traipsing the Adelaide Markets, the War Memorial near Government House and visiting the Adelaide Museum. Lunch at Spaghetti Western seemed fitting too, particularly once I noticed a picture of John Wayne looking down at me all adorned in hanging pasta!

The last few days were out near Victor Harbor. Paul and Dawn’s middle son Steve lives there with his lovely wife and two charming children, so I spent the better part of three days visiting. As a Fireman, Steve works four days on, four days off so we managed to time my coming and going quite neatly. Laughter, music and plenty of good company- that’s what I recall best. 

My final Sunday went like a flash. My folks and I frequented a Baptist Church there years ago, so a visit seemed called for. Then I headed out to Clarence Park to meet for lunch with a girl whom I schooled with years ago. ‘What would you like?’ she asked. ‘Your choice,’ I said, and the resultant “experiment” was a Korean dish that proved to be a winner. 

So Adelaide, 2017? What a blast! Slightly dampened by the “funny throat” at the end, but that pales into insignificance when compared with the pros. Armed with pages of diary entries, dozens and dozens of photos and happy memories, who could ask for anything more?

 

My NDIS Journey- Take 4

Published in 'Newslink', Headstart ABI Service; June, 2017

An update my NDIS plan: 5 months after our request for a review, a phone call came from an embarrassed St Vincent’s worker. It turned out that the application had in fact been lost!

Though initially frustrating, my mother saw this was in fact for the best, as our goals have changed with 2017’s developments anyways. Shortly afterwards, the pair met face to face and their discussion highlighted the problems with the funding. Though support is needed, the plan must be more suited to my needs.

Fortunately however and from looking at my file, the St Vinnies worker could see that I have useful skills and attributes. Their talk then went on to mention possible work avenues, prospects which will certainly allow us to move further ahead. Watch this space…

Meanwhile, I continue to volunteer over at Peter Sinclair Gardens. Things have settled after the renovation work and the arrival of a new manager in June. Activities has picked up with regular visiting acts and June’s ‘Winter Festival’, which featured talented musos and a very clever magician. And I have been filling in for Tuesday’s absent ‘sing-a-long’ pianist, singing at Wednesday’s church services and assisting with activities like indoor bowls, word games and T’ai Chi.

Through all this, we’re learning that appropriate networks are crucial. And we must remain open to all avenues available to help us achieve our goals because sometimes, that detour may prove to be exactly where you needed to go.

Here We Go Again

Published in 'Newslink', Headstart ABI Service; March, 2017

In late 2016 I received my first NDIS plan. We weren’t happy at first as it didn’t help with the goals we had set, being living independently and having the finances to enable it, and learning the plan meant, “pay someone else to advise you!” was no help either.  So a review was requested. 

Through all this, discussions with Headstart (HS) and NDIS staff showed that we needed to sign a service agreement with HS. This will enable me to continue to access its services which have been so fantastic this past decade. 

Recently, I applied to volunteer over at Peter Sinclair Gardens (PSG). Though not wired to be a nurse, I still have other useful skills. Music is one; writing another; ‘useful-companionable-sort’ yet a third. Last year’s drama aside, staff at PSG remain welcoming; with the extension work nearly completed, more residents will arrive soon. As has been suggested, leisure and activities seems more for me.

As well, been teaching piano to a boy from Tea Gardens since July last year, a job I am enjoying and know a thing or three about! While the world of nursing is indeed needed and noble, let’s face it: it’s also not for everyone. As is often said- you gotta find your niche.

It’s never easy, rebuilding your life, and my heart goes out to all my compatriots out there. Yet take heart, friends- with the right support and advocates around you, the future can still be a brighter one.

Oh yeah- after three months, the review should come any week now…

Not My Place Exhibition

Published in 'Newslink', Headstart ABI Service; December, 2016

FROM the 5^th to the 26^th of November,  the old David Jones building in town was home to an art display. With over forty pieces entered, it was a broad selection and varied from photography, various styles of painting, acrylic based works, performances in different mediums to the humble pencil on paper.

A grant from Accessible Arts meant that the Octapod was able to run an Artist Run Initiative in Newcastle. It was designed to enable and empower artists with disability through professional skills and networks development. Through admin support, structure, expertise and access to networks, the backing of the Octapod gave the group a strong foundation. Monthly meetings were held, which allowed for the encouragement and motivation for members of all practices. Such has been its success that there is talk of replicating the project with the help of Maitland Regional Art Gallery next year!

Through my own connection with Culture Hunter, an off-shoot of the Octapod, I was approached last year by its Director about  an idea they were considering. I then met with the Project Manager Justine Cogan, and we discussed how my musical and writing skills could be brought to the group. 

This was a great opportunity as it saw me focus my talents, ultimately showcasing a number of musical pieces. Foleys pianos was tremendous, as they were good enough to lend me a digital piano for the day. And the other week, my sister spoke the other week of “letting go of control”. Spot on, I later thought, as by doing just this things really came together! 

Curator Clare Weeks spoke of curating saying, “I’ve always loved it. This one was like a hotch-potch because of its diverse nature.” This variation made it an interesting show, and a number of works caught my eye

There was Black Crow with her canvas Mind of God. With its myriad of colours, I instantly thought of the awe-inspiring colours of the Universe.  Elizabeth’s muted blue-and-white Keys to the City came from her many bouts of house-sitting. Trever presented two very earthy canvas paintings based on his 13 years teaching in Papua New Guinea. And Dom’s cleverly photo-shopped self-portrait actually sold during the exhibition! With a face set below an unravelling bandage it was, he said, an image for all those “faceless people who no longer warrant the thoughts of society.”

Overall, the outcome has been positive. From what Justine and others have said, it’s clear the project has been beneficial in much the way hoped for. Despite different mediums, common ground was found in people’s ability to build networks and learn more about whatever particular industry approprotiate. Odds are good then that this won’t be a one-off show…