Coming up on the 2nd and 3rd of November, Australia’s Disability Strategy National Forum will take place and you’re invited to join this important event via livestream.
Providing an opportunity to participate in panel discussions with industry experts and community representatives with disability, you’ll be given a chance to have your say on Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31. This is a Strategy that will shape our country’s disability policy in crucial areas such as employment, housing, education, health and wellbeing.
Key speakers will include:
Registrations are limited and close 1 November 2022 so don’t delay.
REGISTER NOW by going to:
https://adsnf.bettercast.io/?mc_cid=c256bb16ea&mc_eid=fca9123436
Auslan Interpreter and live closed captioning will be available for the live stream. More information on using the platform will be sent closer to the event.
If you have other accessibility requirements or questions, please let us know by sending an email to disabilityreform@dss.gov.au.
One of our most requested webinar topics has been around relationships and the impact that disability can have on connections with family, friends, partners and even relationships with ourselves.
In the first part of this two part series on Monday 10th October at 7pm AEDT, we will look at and explore the stresses, struggles and interactions that can affect the dynamics of our relationships with family, friends, carers and support workers, sharing personal stories and what did and didn’t work in resolving these issues and concerns.
In the second of this two part relationship series on Tuesday 11th October at 7pm AEDT, intimate relationships will be covered, along with the importance of self love and learning to treat yourself with kindness and respect in order to ensure personal growth, wellbeing and not settling for second best.
To register for Part 1 (Family, Friends, Carers, Support Workers) go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u7n0wuQMRPSfGvx4LSUJYw
To register for the “adults only” Part 2 (Intimate Relationships) go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sYyGKuP1SBmkbNw3jJ03JA
We hope that you will join us for these webinars.
If you not able to attend these live events, they will be made available to view via the PDA YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMyTzhTbs2oLH-WZR18zX2Q
It is with sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of one of PDA’s long-standing members, Janine Neu.
I served with Janine on the Committee of Management of People with Disabilities WA from 2017 to 2019. I fondly remember very robust discussions regarding finances and how to best utilise them. This usually involved me wanting to spend, and her telling me that I couldn’t.
Janine was a very quiet person, reflective, until she had something to say, and then you knew you were being spoken to!
On behalf of the Board, Staff and Members of PDA, we would like to offer our most sincere condolences to Janine’s partner, Bernard and all her family, friends and colleagues.
RIP Janine.
Signed Andrew Fairbairn (PDA President)
A close friend, ally and PDA member, Clare, attended the 15th Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP) at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, from 14 to 16 June 2022. At the conclusion of this she was sent an invitation to attend the APMCDRR in Brisbane.
She was very excited about COSP and tried to explain to me what it was about. I didn’t really understand, so she said that we must go to Brisbane together and then I would get it.
Taking her on her word, we booked flights and accommodation and headed off.
Well, what I saw, and what I experienced was mind blowing.
On Day One we were invited to attend a networking session and meet people with disabilities from all over the world. We were asked to attend a meeting to discuss the Mid Term of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), https://www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster-risk-reduction-2015-2030 which is a great read on its own. I was able to talk on behalf of PDA and the work we do in Australia and how it fits into the framework. Thanks to Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) and People with Disabilities Australia (PWDA) for hosting a fabulous lunch.
Day 2-4 saw meetings and discussion on topics such as:
I got to meet some very motivated people from all over Asia Pacific including Setareki Macanawai, the CEO of the Pacific Disability Forum from Fiji, John from the Tongan Disability Advocacy Network and Kepueli Ngaluafe, a very recent amputee from Tonga who works in the Ministry of Finance.
The days were full, but for me, the real work was done at night. I had the opportunity to share PDA with some academics from the University of Newcastle, the University of Melbourne, and the University of the Gold Coast. All of them are keen to connect and, hopefully, do some paid collaboration with us around DRR for our PWD here at home. I got to meet some fabulous people working in DPOs in Australia, some folk from AFDO (Australian Federation of Disability Organisations), some folk from WWDA (Women With Disabilities Australia) and some amazing people from QDN.
I would try to explain what this it was like to be at this conference. I have been to way too many conferences, but this was so worthwhile and I can see great things coming out of it for PDA, for PWD and for the whole of Australia.
When it rolls around again, who is coming with me?
I guarantee, you will not be disappointed.
I received my first power wheelchair when I was three years old (almost 40 years ago).While it is a struggle some days (when my support worker can’t come to get me out of bed, for example), it helps to have a positive attitude. There’s no point complaining about what I can’t do. My parents raised me with a can-do attitude, and I am grateful for what I have.
I don’t need pity. It’s not a “shame” or “a disaster” (an actual comment from someone recently) that a childhood illness paralysed me from the neck down. I am fortunate it happened before I turned two, so I don’t know what I’m missing. My wheelchair doesn’t confine me. In fact, I quite like having a physical disability. I have a great life.
There’s actually many advantages of having a wheelchair. So many, that I compiled a list:
There is plenty to love about having a physical disability. I’m grateful for all my support workers who help me with the things that I can’t do, and for the NDIS that pays for them.
Can you think of any others?
Congratulations to Kurt Fearnley on his appointment as new NDIA Chair, and also to Graeme Innes, Marie Diamond and Dennis Napthine in their roles as Directors and Rebecca Falkingham as Chief Executive.
With the number of people with a disability serving on the board now sitting at five and with Kurt being the first person with a disability to chair the board of the agency, there is great hope that Australia’s disability community will finally be seen and heard and that the NDIS will finally reflect and uphold the intended principles that accompanied the Scheme’s formation 10 years ago.
Healthy, honest, dependable and loving relationships are important for everyone – but perhaps especially so for people living with disability.
In our upcoming 2 part webinar around relationships (Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th October at 7pm AEDT), we will both be looking at the impact that disability can have on relationships and sharing stories and advice based on personal lessons learnt from journeys taken alongside others through life.
In part one of our relationship webinar, our panelists will share their thoughts and experiences around relationships with family, friends, carers and support workers (both positive and negative) – giving insights into past and present relationship issues and how they personally worked to address and overcome these problems and concerns.
From the dynamics surrounding carer expectations and duties to transitioning to independence as an adult, parent/child relationships, sibling struggles, changes to friendship circles and interactions, and the invisible line between support worker and friend, this first webinar will cover issues that are familiar to so many.
In part two of our relationship webinar series, our panelists will share their experiences, thoughts and advice on intimate relationships and work to normalise this topic and knock down the stigma and untrue stereotypes that surround disability and intimacy.
This webinar will look at the intrinsic desire, need and want for loving, caring, physical and emotional relationship with others – regardless of individual circumstances.
The negative cultural and societal stereotypes and prejudices that can surround people living with disability in forming and maintaining an intimate relationship will also be explored.
And our panelists will also breakdown the false assumption that disability renders a person incapable of being sexual, passionate and involved in an intimate, romantic and fulfilling relationship, and that intimate relationships between abled bodies and those living with a disability are solely founded on dependency or fetish-based relationships.
To register for Part 1 on Monday 10th October at 7pm AEDT (Family, Friends, Carers, Support Workers) go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u7n0wuQMRPSfGvx4LSUJYw
To register for Part 2 on Tuesday 11th October at 7pm AEDT (Intimate Relationships) go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sYyGKuP1SBmkbNw3jJ03JA
AS PART 2 LOOKS INTO INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS AND WILL CONTAIN ADULT CONTENT AND DISCUSSION, ALL ATTENDEES MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER. AS SUCH, IN REGISTERING TO ATTEND THIS WEBINAR, ALL REGISTRANTS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE 18 YEARS OR OLDER.
We hope that you will join us for this interesting webinar series.
Judy Antonio was the Patron of the Business DisABILITY Awards before she sadly passed away in 2016 with this illustrious Award recognising a business, group or individual that epitomises the values of social inclusion espoused and lived by Mrs Antonio.
Following the sad passing of John Moxon, tributes have been flowing strongly for a man who was admired, not just for his character and presence, but also for his incredible contribution to Australia’s disability community.
Jeremy Muir knew John both professionally and as a friend and has written a fitting accolade of gratitude, respect and admiration to a giant among men.
He has kindly allowed us to share his memories and heartfelt celebration of John and his legacy that he has left us all.
“If you looked up the word ‘conviction’ in the dictionary you would most likely find ‘John Moxon’. John was one of those people who knew how to fight the good fight and he did so with intelligence, research, conviction and good old fashion gusto. His energy was endless and contagious.
John was long time member/President of the Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCNSW) and then was a founding member and former President of the PDC Australia, now PDA.
John fought for the rights, not just of people with physical disabilities but disability rights in general. John worked tirelessly for over 30 years advocating for the rights of people with disabilities at a national and a local level. He won well deserved awards and was applauded by those at the highest level. He was truly an amazing human being.
John was a friend, a much better friend to me than I was to him. He taught me so much about living, about how to live successfully with a physical disability. John helped me believe I belonged and that I had every right to belong. He helped me understand that it was okay to ask for help and to give it. He truly embodied the word empowerment and he never waived from its depth and meaning.
John was great fun. Some of my fondest memories are of having dinner at a suitable accessible restaurant after a day-long meeting with him, his wonderful wife Margaret, the dry and smart Kevin Byrne (RIP), the formidable Maurice Corcoran and the always encouraging and clever Sue Egan where we would often talk and laugh for hours. I especially loved listening to John’s stories of his racing car driver days and when he was on student radio at university. He felt to me like such a rebel leader, which I found fascinating. He had such confidence, always, always.
John always appeared to love what he did, and I used to think how can I bottle that self belief. John loved Margaret, he loved his children and his grand children with that same conviction. John didn’t do things by half.
When you are accessing an accessible building, riding on accessible transport, attending an accessible concert or event, know that it is because John fought for it, John audited it, John campaigned for it, John contributed to the policy and legislation for it.
The world is now a better place because of John Moxon and I’m a better person for knowing him.”
Vale John Moxon.
1938-2022
My disability is a very visual one that without correct clothing can not be hidden. For many years I was embarrassed, in fact so self conscious it would stop me from living a life like so many others.
Being an emputee can put restrictions on many of the things you do in life, but my internal battle with self image in my late teens through to early adulthood haunted me. When I came to terms with the fact that I was gay it was amplified. I was able to camouflage my sexuality, but my disability was always forefront.
I did not know any other amputees when I was growing up. All the amputees I met were at clinic and they were much older. Even in medical and clinic situations, my stump was a close guarded appendage that I was extremely uncomfortable to display – let alone to have it touched. When I lost my leg I was 10, school was rough – we all know that kids in their innocence can be cruel with things that they do not understand. I myself did not really understand. When everyone else was running and jumping, I was on crutches and just about to start the journey of rehabilitation. Moving into high school I was struggling with identifying my sexuality. This, topped with the day to day comments and taunts about my disability, caused me to pull back, caused me to question my place on this planet.
Coming to terms and understanding about my sexuality even at that point in time was an easy transition. It was there but, unless I chose to disclose it, no-one would ever know. I was old enough and (thanks to early internet gained information) able to form a circle of friends who helped me understand who I really was. But I felt so disadvantaged as I was now gay with a disability in a harsh world. Who would want to enter into a relationship with me?
Technology in limbs was moving fast and advancements meant I could walk (Gate) more naturally and I could, with long pants, feel like I was blending in. However, I was always self conscious of the fact that I was so different.
I was now of an age where real relationships could form, both on the emotional and physical sides, but I was so guarded. Quick interludes could happen, but I was unable to commit to anything more. To do so would mean that I would have to face my fears. The fear of judgment. The fear of questions. The fear of showing the most intimate part of me.
In my life I have had 3 real relationships. I sabotaged the first 2 with my insecurities. Reminiscing on them, I feel guilty that someone was prepared to commit but I was just so insecure with regards to my disability that I destroyed any chance. The third was so stubborn that he saw through my subterfuge and used understanding and compassion against me. He was able to understand my struggles with my disabilities and was there for me – without ever asking questions or showing judgment. He was in fact my unspoken support in life. Not just my partner, friend, confidant and lover – he was my disability support person who I unwittingly relied on for so much.
In our relationship I never let him see me fully “disabled”. It was there, but I never let him see my stump. Never let him see me without my limb on – no matter the pain and suffering I had to sustain. I couldn’t. I was always in bed first so he would not see me crippled. One night he came in and sat on the edge of the bed with a cup of tea for me, as he did many nights to chat. This time was different. He said that he’d noticed that I was struggling, limping and in noticeable pain. I tried to disregard it as nothing, but he pushed asking me what was going on. I felt cornered and vulnerable. He said that he wanted to know. He needed to know. He could feel I was suffering and he loved me and it hurt him that I could not talk to him. Reluctantly I explained that I had a pressure sore that was inflamed and causing extreme discomfort, but that it would soon be gone. He asked so many questions that I had never wanted to answer. I did though. Then he asked to see my stump – something I had never let him see. Something I never wanted to share with anyone. It was my dirty little secret that I never wanted to see light of day.
I gingerly slid it out from under the covers, revealing its pale pasty inflamed self. He looked at it with so much compassion, then he looked me in the eyes and asked if he could touch it. I was welling with tears from the fear. The fear that he would be repulsed. The fear that he would see just how weak I was. The fear that he would see me as a crippled freak.
He put both his hands on my stump, one either side of my knee. He was so gentle. He whispered how he wished he could take away the pain. Then he lowered his head and kissed my knee and from that moment I just felt safe, I felt free, like the weight of the world had just escaped me. In that moment I knew that he truly loved me for all of me. He had so many questions. We had been together for almost 8 years and not once had he asked. He just knew without asking how I felt about my disability.
From that very moment all my self doubt about my disability just washed away. I lost the feeling that I was a freak who needed to hide that part of me from the world. It was a strange feeling that took me some time to come to terms with. All these years of feeling this way had become a part of me, one that I know I used to push people away before they got too close. It took the love and compassion of someone understanding me for me.
Something that should have been available to me when I was younger.
You see when I first lost my leg, like most amputees, I grieved for it. In losing a huge part of yourself, you feel disconnected, you become different from and to everyone. I had no real supports in this to help me understand that I am still me, with just a little less of the physical me. My family did their best, but it felt more like pity and remorse for what they felt they had done to me. We live in a world that is just finding its understanding, I mean real understanding where things outside of the “normal” are normal.
Being part of an organisation like PDA to me is normal. It offers supports and information to those who need it when they need it. In a world surrounded by so many you can feel so isolated. I wish that groups like PDA, made up of people just like me, were there when I obtained my disability. I lost so much of my life living with insecurity, self doubt and what I now know as resentment. It just took one person to change my life for the better. Disability has been around since the dinosaurs, but still the information and supports are not getting to where they need to be. I used the internet (with its limited capability back then) to help understand my sexuality, but the information I required to help me understand my disability and issues surrounding it were just not there. The other thing I have taken away from this, is that the people who love us most and are close to us are our unspoken heroes. They take up a role we never expected or wanted them to have.
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