The year it was . . .

And a fantastic year it was!

In the middle of the year I entered into my second ndis plan and all that it means to be part of the schemes: the highs and the lows, tears and frustrations, endless red tapes and phone calls, because no one quite has their finger on it yet! On the other hand celebration as I achieve my goals and continue to take leaps to live my best life. After years of frustrating using support providers that couldn't quite provide the flexible support needed by an artists and arts worker, I had enough and step out to establish my own team of workers. 

My year started thinking about the type of people I wanted around me to empower me to achieve my ndis goals and beyond.  What makes a great support worker and where do I find them?  I did my training to self-directing a team with Staffing Options while writing job descriptions but consulting those who knew me and the disability sector well.  With job descriptions written, Staffing Options gave me the name of a recruitment agency.  I then wrote adds, screen applicants, interviewed, did reference checks, conducted induction and training.  And after all that I transitioned from my then provider to leading my own team!  WOW!

I found three beautiful creative women willing to share my passion. Unfortunately artists are re noun for butting heads and Julia and I could make it onto the same page.  I feel blessed that despite everything we remain friends.  

Julia's graduation art exhibition

Thank you for letting me be part of this and your year. Since then its been a challenge to find that third key worker.  Together Jacinta and I again recruited and interview but the lady we choose did not work and so we used staff from Better Caring  now called  Mable and Hire-up and there's been some misses along the way. If I found Jacinta and Jo and I know what I value in them, I am convinced in time I will develop a strong team.  

We have casual team members that help when members are sick, on holidays or on prac.  Recently we meet Mandy through High Up and the delightful Kylie is joining us in 2019.  As we travel together to reach my goals we sure to meet others along the way.  Building a support team to self-direct was my main ndis goal the other is to extend my visual art practice and host a solo exhibition outside Ipswich.  To this end I will be exhibiting at Greaser Gallery in Brisbane in the new year.

Other achievements in 2018 have been my continued partnership with Ipswich Arttime Supplies and Arts Connect.  Its been a challenging, hectic but very successful year and in roads made to becoming a more inclusive arts community the allowing artists with disabilities to have a voice.  This turn out to be the most successful event of 2018 with 300 people attending the opening. 

Along the way I collected my first highly commended in an art exhibition, I presented the Melting Pot at Drawing Point Art Gallery, continued my artist membership with Aspire Gallery working with Irene and continued to be active as an advocate through Access Arts and Arts Access Australia.  However managed to dodge interstate trips this year. 

I continue to work with Brisbane Rotary groups and joined Lion's for the fundraising art exhibitions.  I also took part in the Brisbane Festival and Boonah Art Festival and a few events in between.

Somewhere in there I found time to regeister my business and join forces with Angie the owner of the Retro Diner.  I am now regularly recieving customer orders and enjoy eating my way through my profits.  I currently have work for sale at The Retro Diner, Limestone Emporium and Arttime Supplies Ipswich. 

On the Home Front

One of my long term goals is to  maintain my Independence through a healthily lifestyle balance, this year I feel I've gotten close to the mark, with the inclusion of a regular physio program. My goal was to increase my core strength, well I achieve that and more!

When I put my wheelie friendly garden in last year, I was very unsure on my feet and constantly looking for things to grab hold of to steady myself.  After 10 months of physio I am now standing confidently and can walk unaided for short distances.  My overall general health has continued to improved with the correct diagnoses and adjustments to my diet. 

Both I and my cat, Ashes enjoy digging round the garden and I enjoy eating the eatable plants. Ashes is now 1 but has keep me well entertained.

We also had a few milestone celebrations in the family this year with my parents celebrating the Golden Wedding Annveristy, My 50th Birthday and my brothers wedding.

I am very excited about 2019 and the possibilities.  I am determine to advocate for the full impletementation of the ndis and for the ndia and service providers to empower people with disabilities to self-determine their own futures and supports systems.  At the close of 2018 ndis is yet to deliever the choices and flexibility it promise. As a community as a whole we continue to sell people with disabilities short.  

I continue to enjoy fellowship at the Booval Gospel Hall and marble the Lord's abundance and blessings.  As I personally reflect on the Birth of Christ,  I bid you a Happy, Holy and Safe Christmas seasons and look forward to the journey ahead. 

Merry Christmas