Posts by Hilary Stace
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Unfortunately, there are similar stories on a daily basis. At least now they are reported, mainly in social media, around the world ensuring global collective outrage at some of the stupid things authorities do and say. Ableism now has a name (like sexism and racism), and a methodology to challenge it.
Having said that, the one time I was in collecitive charge of an autistic child who was not my own who did disappear in a fraction of a second, the police were helpful, both on the phone and appearing almost immediately in person, with no hint of blame. Turns out the boy (who was non verbal) had heard that we were going to the park, as not meaning the park next door, but the one near his house several kilometres away. A kind woman who spotted him heading onto the motorway gently persuaded him into the car and took him to the local police station where they knew all about him.
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By the way loved the quirky use of the coloured cups (and fascinating to see the lovely R-B house).
I am still smiling at the many similarities we here have recognised from the many young Aspies we know, such as the struggle with handwriting and understanding what is required, and other aspects such as the precise speech. And a great deal of overall charm. From a parent's perspective I think we often don't see the networks and abilities of our Aspie offspring. Their independence is not always our idea of independence, but with luck they find the right people who appreciate and get them and then they flourish. This video has been extensively shared and maybe the right person will see it and give him (and all those others out there) that employment chance.
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What a lovely young man!. Many similarities to the lovely young man I have here. Realistic portrayal of the issues around employment too, including the huge motivation to be in the workforce and do well*. However, for successful employment, well explained and demonstrated repetitive tasks are often better/less stressful than lots of different ones, and provides the opportunity to do a few things really well, rather than coping with constant changes in environment and people.
(*Not always appreciated by the 'blame the lazy beneficiary' culture in some Work and Income offices)
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Hard News: Being Jim, in reply to Russell Brown,
'Agency' is a very important concept. Like 'dignity of risk'. Sometimes hard for the rest of us to allow.
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Re Kevin Hague. He is also pretty good on disability policy. I knew of him before be became an MP because of his involvement with the National Health Committee which published the very significant 2003 To have an 'ordinary' life report. This report, based on some wonderful research by the Donald Beasley Institute in Dunedin, described what needed to happen for full community participation for adults with intellectual disability in a post institutionalisation era. Unfortunately, barely implemented yet. But I think the committee members, who commissioned the report, learnt a lot.
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Ditto lots and lots of other young people. Different but similar issues.
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I see another Brown is taking to the broadcast media on Sunday
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Hard News: Moving on, in reply to Stephen Judd,
Thanks. Will be interesting to see who the new opposition spokesperson will be and how senior.
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Hard News: Moving on, in reply to Keir Leslie,
The importance of strengthening/rebuilding quality public free to air broadcasting was specifically mentioned by Grant Robertson in the recent leadership contest, but not sure how influential that view will be under the new lineup, as I think he and Clare Curran were the main proponents. .
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Hard News: Jonesing, in reply to Sacha,
Grant has friends who have an autistic child, and he has helped numerous constituents in their battles to get disability support in schools and in the community, so I think he knows the issues pretty well (as should any good constituency MP as disability issues and problems are widespread).