2019 Reflections

Merry Christmas

from me to you.

This year I have deliberately set out to be actively thank-you. Social media is full of negativity and judgment. So it was my goal to post something to be thankful for each day, so I too wouldn't be drawn into this negativity. Everyday I found much to be thankful for.  I live in a country where living in proverty may mean you have a home and a car. I am grateful hold objects close tomy heart and in so many ways as a disable person my life is blessed and all my medical needs are meet.  This would  not be the case if I lived in India or the US. 

My position of privilege was brought home to me, during my recent trip to Canberra.  I was very blessed to receive a Arts Access Australia Travel Grant along with a RADF grant to attend the 2019 Meeting Place.  One of the themes of the conference was Disability Pride, something I have struggled with given I have visible disabilities.  These disabilities that can be seen by others, strangely enough, are not the imparements that disable me the most. Rather it is my hidden imparements that are the most disabling.  

My benine brain tumor I now refer to as "Alice", causes more havoc than anyone realizes.  I finally have found the right medication, diet and lifestyle to live a very active life.  I am very thankful for the appointed meeting with a doctor in the emergency department in a Sydney hospital who named my condition as 'Todds Syndrome',  I have not been back to the ED for that since that day.  I now managed to keep myself well hydrated and my seizures confined to night time or time of illness. 

The discussion on disability pride was a difficult topic to get my head around.  However, as a result of attending the meeting place I now see the need for a collective identity as artists to ensure we have access to participation in the arts, professional opportunities and representation at leadership level. Only artist identifying as disable can know the true struggle we face as artists living with disabilities. Just as indigenous Australians have found their voice, we need to find our voice.  The landscape and the language in the arts and disability community varies, as a Queensland I struggle, at times I feel unaccepted as a professional artists.  

Few Queenslanders are serious about empowering people with servre to profound disables or mental health issues to live and actively participate in community life.  At best we are seen as passive participants and at worst a trouble maker.  Good thing I love being in trouble.  The question remains 'how to opens people eyes' to see the true protental of disable Queenslanders.  I am having work accepted by major competitions, proving disability even when motor function is affected is no barrier. 

I am privilege to have a voice and be well educated in a number of disciplines. I has a good grasp of my rights and although difficult at times I can speak and will speak my mind. People with disabilities must not be limited to art for well being or disability support provides as a means to participating to the arts.  I am yet to discover how to open this road block.  To protect people with disabilities from criticism and failure is to deny them choice, empowerment and a chance to shine by creating artwork that competes at the same level as their able body peers. If I chose to follow others working in the field to move interstate where I am seen as an artist in my own right? Who is going to keep stirring the pot and making waves in Queensland.  I have not choice but continue to show Queenslanders what is possible when  an individual's art practice becomes inclusive of all.

My improvement in health is one of the things I been most thankful

for during 2019.  I was able coped with a full program while in Canberra seizure free.  This has not happened previously when I travelled.  Usually the stress of travel brings on seizures. I still struggle with the mental health effects of Alice, but I now know when I need to withdraw to deal with her.

I take pride in the many artworks, exhibitions and art programs I have delivered this year. Especially a polite program for a Artist In Residence Program for Community Kindergarten's which has been a real adventure. The programs aims to validate the 'arts', Through the message that the production of art is work and needs to be valued by society. 

This year I was joined by fellow visual artists Mieke Den Otter.  We both undertook residency in two kindy's. Roderick Street Community Kindergarten and Ipswich Community Kindergarten, thanks to some funding from Brisbane Multcultural Arts Centre and the RISN program.  We also did a bit of fundraising but in a culture that does not value the powerful role arts plays in society this has been difficult.  We were thankful to be given a boost from a private donation, from The Write Flourish during term three that assisted with the purchase of art supplies.

Collaboration work with Mieke

'Journey Through The Play Ground

We both found collaborating together very challenging at times.  As artists we can be focused on our own art practise and how we work.  Rather than taking the opportunity to learn from each other.  The lesson from art is that there are various ways to achieve the same result.  In 2020 we are hoping to find funding to diversified in to inviting other art forms. We have a writer and musician keen to join our team.  If you like to support our program in anyway please contact me.  Whether your an artists, a community kindy who like a visit from artists, or able to assist with fundraising please let me know. The stronger the support we can demonstrate the more likelihood funding applications are to be successful.

This year has seen a huge injection into the arts thanks to  BEMAC, Creative Ipswich and recent changes made to the way the RADF is structured.  As a committee members we a committed to putting the word out that we're looking to support innovated ideas and support their development.  The next round opens of the 2nd February and any committee member along with Josie Berry, Ipswich  City Council grant officer are willing to assist with this process. The early you start developing your concept and budget the more likely your chances of success.  One tip - Read the application guidelines carefully, as changes have been made and contact Josie Berry before commencing your application.  Again I happy to chat and have coffee with anyone interested in applying. 

The Development of Public Art

is an activity RADF is keen to support

Both Creative Ipswich and BEMAC have been instrumental in connecting creatives in the Ipswich Region. Through taking a collaborative approach we want to lift the profile of Ipswich in a positive way and its great to see some street art emerging.  The Creative Ipswich writers and illustrators group have also recently published a collaborative work.  BEMAC will be hosting workshops in 2020 to build the business skills of artists.  With a host of collaborations taking place its an exciting time to be an artist in Ipswich. 

The artwork market continues to be a difficult place to sell work with the economy continue to slow. This year I have focused on growing an audience outside the Ipswich region. I hosted my first solo art exhibition in Brisbane and currently have a work in a pop art exhibition, in a gallery in Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane the exhibition runs to January 17, 2020 and is being hosted by Arts From the Margins.

I have also continued to be involved with Aspire Gallery in Paddtoning in Brisbane.  My printmaking skills are very appreciated by the patron's and management at this gallery.  During the year I have combine this skill with steam punk themed artwork, this work with form the body of the work for my next solo exhibition to be held at the Drawing Point Gallery at the end of July.

With the assistance of my OT and Team Deb (my support team) I've actually worked less this year and been much more focused. I've had three weekends away in Brisbane, a few days on the Gold Coast and enjoyed a number of day trips including a stay home holiday with 5 day trips which worked really well. 

Through participation in the NDIS, I have continued to direct my own supports. I now engage staff either through individual contracts  or Hire Up.  This year has brought much needed stability to Team Deb, making lift generally more pleasant.  To have a team of workers who genuinely support my choices and NDIS goals is a really blessing.  They are always keen to support my art and recreation activities. Together we have laughed, made mistakes, celebrated birthdays, weddings and Christmas. Ashes has continued to be a source of entertainment for us all.

I am thankful to be so blessed in 2019 and look forward 

to the adventures of 2020!

May your 2020 be filled with love and laughter

The Meeting Place Journey

I was privileged to receive a travel grant to attend Meeting Place 2019.  This is where those engaged in the arts and disabilities sector, gather to talk on the land of The First Australians.  During the gathering of 'our mob' we focused on disability leadership, identity and pride. 

Leadership is not dependent on being in a leadership position and is usually identified by others in your community.  We explored the qualities of a leader and endeavoured to identify them. 

• Passion
• Respect
• Good Community involvement
• Collaboration skills
• Effective listening

And others were identified.  We looked at disability leadership and why it is vital to shaping our future in the arts.  We recognised there was much we could learn from 'The First Australians' and their leadership models.  How to build leaders who identify as disabled or leaders with disability was an important discussion had during the Meeting Place.

Meeting Place travel grant recipients 

 vow to continue the conversation.

Our leadership development in the disability and arts was closely linked to identifying as having a disability, being disabled or deaf. Again in the arts and disability culture there is a change in the language being used.  The terms around the 'disabled' and 'deaf' vary from state to state.  A shift in language is vital as we come to terms with both our individual and collective identity.  In the same way Our First Peoples have evolved their identity and pride.

To shake the negativity, shame and dis-empowerment of being disabled, we need to claim it as our identity to grow strong leadership.  To see a shift in perspectives and equality we need an identification that shouts pride and strength, ensuring we are paid equal pay and are given the recognition we deserve.  We have moved from passive participation to activism, just as Our First Australians have done.

Stella Young (comedian) was identified as a leader on whom we can draw from.  Stella often referred to 'disability pawn'.  Being patted on the back for living a life identical to our peers.  She would argue that getting out of bed to go to work each day makes us leaders not inspirational.  Taking to the stage or gallery floor should make us equals.  We are growing tired of demanding a real presence, in the art world.  

Just as identity is crucial to leadership, so is pride in our identity of being disabled vital to claiming our collective identity.  Individual artists still struggle with whether or not to identity as having a disability. As someone living with a very visible disability I often feel I don't have a choice not to identify.  My leadership is about pride and working in the mainstream arts community.

 I am proud to shine as an artist living with disability, but I do not want the label of disabled artist. 

My pride is in presenting my best work at all times and producing competitive projects and artwork.  I am proud to sell my art in the same galleries as other artists. I still struggle with my own identity and this for me is reflective in the urgent need to not only empower disabled and deaf artists but all people with disabilities.

I still witness visual artists with disabilities not being paid for their work under the banner of 'participation in the community' or 'art for well being'.  It is time to recognise the 'work' of many 'participants' accessing respite and day activity centers.  All work belongs to the creator.  Art supplies are paid for by grants, fundraising or fees paid to the service providers. The excuse about artwork being sold to buy new art supplies, is exploitative.

Few visual artists in Queensland are encouraged to exhibit in mainstream galleries and competitions.  This is the way we artists earn an income and gain recognition in the industry. To actively  defend the right to protect disabled artists from failure is a denial of choice and a chance to succeed.  These decisions are often made by non artists, who know little of the value of the artwork produced in their studios.

Even I as an independent artist have been question about my choice to make in roads into the Brisbane market. My choices are made to further my career, increase my audience and potential income. Generally speaking currently my work sells better in Brisbane. I am not going to let the values of those who choose to disable themselves create barriers for my own work.  My personal growth as an artist and leadership opportunities are dependent on working outside the 'box' that society has determined.  My pride tells me I can be so much more than the limits of 'these boxes'.

The conversation in Queensland is very different to the dialogue occurring at national and international levels.  We are still debating the value of art produced by disabled artists and whether to allow them to take a risk of being rejected and failing.  Australian artist and curator Dan Savage brought an international exhibition called F.L.U.X to coincide with the Meeting Place.  All international artists in the exhibition identify as being disabled or deaf. This language is reflective of the inclusive nature of the UK arts sector and is vital for artists with disability in Australia to claim our identity.

My own agenda for attending the Meeting Place was to experience best practise in making my art practise inclusive of all Ipswich residents and to lead by example. Dan Savage lead a conversation around using technology to increase both artistic value and access to exhibitions. I was privileged to share the floor with Dan and other emerging artists on a panel to discuss the journeys of our art practises. I am keen to use Dan as a reference point as I work on my 2020 exhibition.

In my own art practise I too lag behind the national conversation, and this is often reflected in regional arts. In attending the Meeting Place I have found, 'my mob' and made key links to artists with a Brisbane based practise.  So I will be making even more trips to Brisbane in 2020.  I have never been one to limit my opportunities and failure is just part of life and an opportunity to learn from my mistakes.

"Exhibiting outside Ipswich is an important leadership move . . ."
The current exhibition 'Art goes Pop!'
 Hosted by Arts From The Margins was partly inspired
 by my own work.  Pop art isn't an easy style to master but printmaking lends itself to pop art so well."
The exhibition runs to January 17 2020.

To assist with the development of leaders in the disability arts sector the Australian Council for the Arts hosted the first Disability Arts Awards and Access Arts Australia announced its first leadership awards.  These are the leaders and emerging leaders in the disability lead arts sector.

Our conversation over the next 12 months will focus on how to nurture our future leaders and what language will enable us to proudly claim our identity as artists who are deaf or living with disability.  

Note: The deaf community identifies as its own community alongside a community identifying with disabilities.  The development of their own culture and language stands them apart from others found in 'our mob'.

I'd like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and elders past, present and emerging and I look forward to learning more from your culture in building my own disability pride.  

Thank you to the Ipswich City Council through your partnership with Arts Queensland for investing in my leadership development, through meeting my access costs to attend the Meeting Place.. 

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership between the Queensland Government and the Ipswich City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

Dreaming Big

As a professional artist my daily goal is to sell my artwork. My identified goal was to host a solo exhibition outside the Ipswich Region. This goal was achieved in Feburary with Transformations at Greaser Gallery in Fortitude Valley.  However I have had different goals involving my art practice in 2019.

After an unsuccessful grant application by Roderick St Kindergarten I took the reins for securing funding for an Artist in Residence Program.  Two artists took part in the program this year. Firstly at Roderick St and then at Milford St Kindergartens.  The message of this program 'Art work is work' is about children attending kindergarden seeing artists at work, producing work and participating in creative play.  The conversation widens to parents, Facebook and the general community. 

Funding for community projects is very difficult to come by and the local ecomony is really struggling however, I am hopeful that some type of residencey program can happen in 2020. 

My hope is to produce an art exhibition around the development of the Artist in Resident Program.  But the year isn't over yet. 

This year I have widened the area in which I have exhibited my work to include Esk, Marburg, Boonah and the Tweed. I will have exhibited in 4 Brisbane galleries and taken part in Rotary and Lion's art competitions.

The motivation for my participation in the visual arts community is to assist with the inclusion of artists with disabilities into the community, each gallery I work with is a opportunity to highlight the barriers for artists living with disabilities, but also the quality of work these artists produce.

This aim lead me to apply for a postition on the Regional Arts Development Fund committee and to improve accessibility to grants for artists living with disadvantages.  Ipswich has a high number of residents who struggle with literacy skills so we have changed the application process.  Applicants can now submit a half page expression of interest (or its equivalent) for evaulation and if they can demonstrate the project is viable they can then tackle the online application. Applications close this Sunday 10th November at Midnight.

On Saturday I am hosting, with other artists, Ipswich City Council, BEMAC and local business to assist networking and local knowledge to support the growth of artists in the region. 

My own business plan extends beyond art sales. As a self-managed artist you should have a business plan.  My goal for the next 10 years is to have artwork purchased by the Australian Art Bank, so only exhibiting in country towns isn't going to work for me. In 2017 the Australian Art Bank purchased its first art collection by an Australian artist with disabilities. On average artists with disabilities earn 42% less than their peers. Raising awareness with art directors and galleries along the way is just a step towards achieving equality. 

As part of my 2020 planning I successfully applied for a travel grant to attend the 2019 Meeting Place - a national forum on arts and disability.  I have previously attended this formun twice and it has played a key role in my ability to run visual arts community programs. You can read about the othe applicants on the Arts Access Australia Website.

This grant was made possible by the Meeting Place sponsors; Australian Arts Council and Creative Partnerships.  While this covers most of my expenses I still needed to cover the expenses of my support worker.  Today I learned a RADF quick response application was successful.

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership between Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council to support local arts and culture in Regional Queensland. 

I'd also like to thank BEMAC for their ongoing support of the development of an Artists In Residency Program in the Ipswich region,  I am very much looking forward to 2020 and an increase in the number of people with disabilities participating in the arts. 

2019 World CP Day 'An Ordinary Life'

WORLD CP DAY OCTOBER 6TH

Like so many disabilities Cerebral Palsy is misunderstood.  The movements of someone with CP are consistent with someone who suffers a brain injury or stroke.  These impairments are a result of damage to the brain due to loss of oxygen.  CP is a lifelong disability, marked by loss of brain function in the early years. 

It may surprise you that Cerebral Palsy is a physical disability that in a small percentage of individuals is accompanied by an intellectual impairment.  CP covers a wide range of loss in body functions, and thus the appearance of individuals is determined by which area of the brain cell function is lost. 

I AM 1 IN 1 BILLION

World CP Day seeks to build community knowledge on the true facts around one of the worlds most common disabilities.  I AM ONE IN 1 BILLION people who are diagnosed with CP.  But I am so much more than my diagnoses.  Loss in brain function can affect the entire body or be restricted to one side of the body; or the upper or lower body.

I am a quadriplegic with some loss in function to all areas of my body and my speech is also impaired, fortunately my hearing, sight and intellectual function escaped impairment.  World CP Day is marked by individuals and families sharing their individual journeys and then connecting on social media to give the world a better picture of CP. On October 6 I will be in IPSWICH, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA and this in my story.   

I AM HERE AND THIS IS MY STORY

DEBBIE CHILTON

ARTISTS, POET AND WRITER

IPSWICH, QUEENSAND, AUSTRALIA

In so many ways I live an ordinary life, yet it is also extraordinary.  From the age of eight I attended a local school and went on to graduate from university. After that I worked as a youth worker, until illness interrupted my life.  Prior to this I would say I was aware of my disability, but it didn’t impact my life.  Uni life had somewhat separated from society and I was just another student on campus. Living, partying and sometimes studying, thus was my ordinary life. 

What I refer to as my extraordinary life began when I commenced publishing my poetry and was a freelance writer for a Sydney based publishing company. During this period, I was involved in church ministry and the Ipswich Poetry Feast, and other committees.  At this time my disability appeared to be ‘a problem’. As an accomplished public speaker, I was taken back when people started to raise opposition to me speaking in public and suggested that it wasn’t appropriate. 

The consensus was that the pearls of wisdom in my written work, were lost when I spoke them.  For me this was a societal problem not my disability.   My speech is no different to struggling to speak to someone for whom English is the second language, as a society we have lost patience with others and everyone is in a hurry to be somewhere, including me.  I was myself confused and confronted by a disability I have lived with for 35 years.  

After self-publishing a children’s book, a life of book launches, festivals and workshop presentations terrified me.  By then I also had a seizures due to a brain tumor. Even for me climbing the hurdles of my disability and writing was not worth the rewards.  Somehow publishing a book that flopped ticked for me that bucket list item.  Yet I have half-a-dozen incomplete manuscripts sitting in the bottom drawer.  Well .  .  .   Never say never! 

For many years I worked unpaid in the disability sector, in Australia people with disabilities face discrimination in employment.  While I understand my own predicament (living with uncontrolled seizures), I don’t understand the lack of willingness of employers to employ people with disabilities.  I am extraordinary in relation to accepting work without payment, and a community you will never value my training, skills or experience. 

Transformations Art Exhibition 

Gresser Gallery Brisbane

Opening Night

In 2013 I discovered my true passion as an artist.  ‘Let me talk art . . .’ people said I would come alive. It never occurred to my support service to usher me into a support art studio.  They fully encouraged me to work as an independent artist.  Naturally there was opposition and protest I could not compete against able bodied peers.  I am extraordinary as I backed my ability to be a professional artist and found when my work was presented with other professionals some people chose to buy my work. 

I will never make a living selling artwork, but I have found myself and my community, in which I am a peer and very much a leader. I now live in a community that values my life experience and skills.  I am now being paid when I am engaged as an arts community leader. I would like to think I am extraordinary because of my resilience and determination to live the lifestyle of my artistic peers. 

We do not get to choose the cards we are dealt, only how we play them.

I hope I am playing extraordinarily well.

A lesson in empowerment

Many people in the disability sector are still struggling with what it means for participants to have choice and control over their supports. Our natural instinct, especially women to protect those we see as vulnerable.  While a percentage of participants will remain in that boat, the NDIS changes the game and the role of support staff has shifted to the right.  

The NDIS should be empowering all Australians with disabilities, together with family members and informal supports to make informed decisions, not just those who are able to navigate the complex NDIS system.  People regardless of their 'perceived abilities' should have a choice over `how they spend their days?'.  

Even knowing I am a highly intelligent, independent women some service providers and support workers, assume they know what I need, better than myself.  To be honest, I am capable of putting far too many activities into my day.  I do not need well meaning workers to add to my chaos. 

Devising activities for clients to participate in, is a role I hope will be dropped from the support workers role in the future.  Where a person has a support coordinator, guidance on choices is their role, but ultimately the participants and their families should be choosing activities for participation. These choices should be balance with their NDIS goals.  If  workers are encouraging activities that are not part of the participants plan, for example coffee at a local cafe, then this is dis-empowerment. 

Don't get me wrong I'll take any excuse to have a Chai Latte, but as director of my supports I will let my team know when and where that will be, subjected to short notice.  Sometimes the world just drives me to needing 'a Chai in a cafe'.  I am more like the average Australian than you realise. 

That's the message I want to send to all prospective support workers, not just those I engage in Team Deb.  All supports must be client centred.  If you're not happy with the activities your client chooses, then you might need to find a client that likes to do the things you enjoy doing.  

This is what the company I work for offers. Hire Up desires to match participants and workers who have similar interests. Participants and families can select team members that enjoy the same activities as them.  As the owner of a small creative business, much of my time is spent producing work to sell. I struggle to connect with support workers, who do not enjoy creating art and craft. 

There has been a movement from the medical care model, for a number of years. Under this model people with disabilities received 'care' and 'paid carers' were in a decision making role. Under the NDIS model, it is the participants and/or family members who make decisions about community participation and the daily activities they choose to engage in.  The term 'paid carer' is outdated, it comes from a time when the state government was responsible for the care and protection of people with disabilities. 

Large scale care facilities are no longer operating and even disabilities services in Queensland have ceased.  Participants today are more likely to remain part of the family unit, where the primary care is provided, thus the word 'carer' should not be used for people in a paid position.

We have been using the term support worker for over 15 years, this demonstrates societies reluctance to change. We do not need to do everything for people with disabilities, unless they are profoundly disabled and totally dependent on others to have their needs met. Empowerment is supporting participants to do things for themselves. Doing everything for those living with disabilities has led to deskilling with people becoming dependent on others. This dependence has allowed wide spread abuse of people with disability.

This is why 'choice' is the centrepiece of support under the NDIS. All supports accessed under the NDIS should be chosen by the participants or family members, not just who provides these supports.  As an additional safety measure NDIS has changed the way support plans are written, so any support must be aligned with the participants goals and the steps identified by them to achieve their goals.  Hopefully this ends the support workers ability to choose activities for their participants. 

If Sally chooses to see a movie every Tuesday, that is her choice, however if one Tuesday she decides there is a sale at 'Spotlight'  and decides to go there instead, that is ok too.  But deciding that Sally should be learning to cook instead of seeing a movie is not ok. 

Goals such as learning new skills are now decided at the NDIS planning level, once a participant and/or family member has chosen a service provider and engaged a support worker, then the workers role and the activities a participant does has been predetermined and no longer the support workers role. 

Traditional support service still require a large amount of paperwork to ensure quality services are provided. However individual support workers should no longer be planning the participants day.  Especially if people are self-directing their own supports. Duty of care should no longer extend to being responsible for all the 'care' needs that was once required.  There is no reason someone who self-directs can not write their own session reports to feedback to the NDIS. 

These are the changes most of the disability sector are struggling with.  When workers come to a company like Hire Up and apart from incident reports, participants and their families are writing everything including the support plan, workers struggle to understand their role. 

Service like Hire Up and other online platforms offer options that were missing in the traditional disability sector.  Just as any support service cannot meet the support needs of every person with a disability, it is also true for platforms like Hire Up or even contracting staff with their own ABN.  

If your support delivery style is based on traditional models of care, it is unlikely that providing supports for companies like Hire Up will suit them.  Just as clients can now choose the companies and staff they want to support them, workers can choose companies and/or clients who like the type of service delivery they provide.  Under no circumstances should it be acceptable a support person positioned in someones home proceed to challenge a participants choices and plan their day.  For participants to experience this, is dis-empowerment.

One of my NDIS goals is to extend my visual arts practise.

Currently I am gaining inspiration through my Artist's Residency

in a kindy. My support workers support me in this role.

We all need to adapt to the changing of the NDIS landscape where the role of the support worker is to empower participants and families to work toward the NDIS goals outlined in their plan. I look forward to seeing changes in the way workers empower their clients.   

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The Value of Art

Creating Pots

I am currently one of two artists in residence at Roderick Street Community Kindergarten. My residency is not about teaching the kids but sending a message to the community that artwork is work! I sense there is a general consensus that the work of artists is generally undervalued by society and our economic contribution is  not seen.  In the main we are viewed as the dropouts.  Yet it is perfectly acceptable to be a professional sports person.  

Most artists need a 'day job' of second source of income, the majority supplement their income by teaching. Sales of artwork do not put food on the table.  Having original artwork in own homes is a luxury few of us can afford.  Those who can afford art have a limited amount of space on their walls.  Until society changes its values this is unlikely to change. 

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working at kindy

For me any significant change occurs with changing attitudes of the young. I remember my father reasoning I could not take art as a school subject, because it would not get me a 'job'.  The notion that art is not work is one I want to challenge during my current residency. If the children see Mieke (my partner in crime) and myself working at kindy then these children and their parents will view us as contributing members of society. 

Winston Churchill was questioned about his funding of the arts during the war.  He answered, `if we do not value the arts (creative practice) then what are we fighting for?'

Artwork is one way of recording history and showing us what is valuable to the human spirit. It expressed faith and emotion. It inspires everything from what we ware, to advertising and architecture. Yet its producers remain undervalue and rearly is anyone encouraged to become an artists at a young age. 

Artwork is work!

I want to build a society that values its creators!  The entertainers, dancers, clowns, performers, singers, musicians, writers, actions, directors, painters, crafts people, sculptures, designers, architecture and all who bring beauty into the world; to be valued and paid as the professionals they are.  

To do this the arts need to be funded and investments made in the future generations 'who will colour our world.' I am just as passionate about art as I am about advocating for people living with disabilities.  I would love to build a legacy in Ipswich were the arts are valued for their own worth.  Opportunities for residencies is one way to achieve this. 

You can invest in my vision by contributing to fundraising for the Roderick Street Kindy Artist In Residency Program.  Just as the children have seen Mieke and myself at work - I would love to see a musician or a performer visit the kindy in the future. If you want to help build my vision drop me and email.

Artist's Journey and the NDIS

i

Today I began my 8 week Artist in Residency,  My journey as an artist began in 2012.  After a serious illness I thought I'd step back and reline my choices in life. Art was something I always loved and my support provider thought I could potently sell my art. 

'Like no way! I am just Doodling.' I protested. 

The activities coordinator exclaimed that, 'No one doodles like that! That is art.' 

So determined to slow down I went home and made some 'art'. However somewhere along the line got roped in to applying for a Leadership Program.  A program that changed the direction of my life. 

The National  Disability Insurance Scheme was still being debated and  lobbied for: the system of how people with disabilities were supported and cared for needed change.  Many people living with disabilities believed that change needed to driven by people's lives who were directly impacted by disabilities.  The central change needed to be a change from being seen as a 'patient' to a person in our own right.  The motto 'Every Australian Counts' was adopted and in 2016 the Australian  Government and the Queensland Government signed an agreement to co-fund the NDIS. 

During my leadership development training I was keen to develop professional opportunities for artist living with disabilities.  I had worked in the industry for many years and never expected the opposition that occurred to my chosen objectives. In principle everyone agreed the reality was a consensus,  'I should be content to let people just enjoy art, not lead them up the garden path, that would end in failure.' There is still a belief people with disabilities need to be protected from failure. 

This was not the message I was hearing from individuals with disabilities, nor was it the focus of my the Leadership Program. During the Leaders For Tomorrow Program, we leaders with disabilities, were challenged to find a route by which our goals could be achieved and not to accept any road blocks, the word 'fail' was not used.

My leadership journey became about my two passions.

1. Advocacy
2. Art

Fast forward to today and my advocacy and artwork have become inseparable. 

 'Yes today the children at kindy, wanted to know what I was doing? And then offered advice on what the scarecrow should look like. But also wanted to know 'why I talked funny?'.

They nicely told me they couldn't understand me. I suggested because my brain didn't work the same as their brains, they would need to listen more carefully.

And they did! And together we made 'Rainbow'!

I became a NDIS participant in 2017 and this week I sat down with my planner or Local Area Coordinator to develop my 3rd NDIS participant plan.  Many of my followers know the struggles I had finding my path through the NDIS and finding the right supports to assist me to build my visual art practice. 

Yes! There has been many tears along the way. However in the main I have been able to make the NDIS work for me.  This week after almost two years, my powerchair was finally ordered.  I was  able to self manage my plan and now self-direct my own supports. meaning  I am able to choose who comes into my 'home and at what time.'

I found support workers who whole heartily empower me to achieve my NDIS goals.  They know my goals and these are at the centre of my supports session.  My goal is not to tie myself to my local community but to expand my art practice and exhibit my work in galleries outside Ipswich. My goals are very much inline with other emerging artists. 

I also got notice today I have been appointed to the RADF committee giving artists of all abilities representation in shaping the future.  The best way to make change and break down barriers is to lead the way. . . 

It is important that people with disabilities continue to tell their stories so future policies for people with disabilities are based on lived experience not research or theories. There are many faults that need to be addressed to MAKE THE NDIS WORK for all Australians not just people to have the ability to self-manage and self-direct.  We need to inform politicians on what does work and what doesn't work.

With the federal election next weekend I encourage everyone to tell their stories.  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.