By Debbie Mackenzie.

Peter and Debbie in Hawaii
When I began assisting with the research Dr Gibilisco would later conduct in Hawaii early in 2008 I became aware that there were people with a general interest in the
planned research. There were a variety of views. On reflection and with the
wisdom of hindsight I now can see and appreciate the spectrum of opinion.
Some people expressed enthusiastic support; they were excited about the
project. Others, however, were more reserved. They seemed to express an
undefined concern and I suspect they found it difficult to believe that such
a trip could be possible. And yes, there were obstacles we had to overcome;
however there was never lack of determination to see it through.
Continue reading “Overseas Research Trip”
By an anonymous contributor.

Government House in Melbourne
My partner is very disabled and a while ago he was invited to an event at Government House as a representative of an organisation he advised. He was to be accompanied by a senior manager from the organisation inviting him. He could also take a support worker with him.
He thought I might like to go with him instead of taking a support worker and I said yes – my big chance for afternoon tea at Government House! We were all dressed up ready to go and the manager from the organisation arrived. I opened the door to her. She was dressed up too, but did not make eye contact with me at all. As she came in she ignored me and walked past me into the kitchen and started talking to my partner. Continue reading “Whose Support Worker Are You?”
By Peter Gibilisco and Debbie Mackenzie. Reprinted with permission of authors from On Line Opinion.

Peter and Deb Working
A primary “goal” of the
State Disability Plan is to provide support, that is, to encourage people with disabilities to live their own lifestyle. This is referred to in the State Disability Plan, as the pursuit of individual lifestyles: “to enable people with a disability, to pursue their own individual lifestyles by encouraging others to respect, promote and safeguard their rights, by strengthening the disability support system”.
Continue reading “The importance of disabilty support workers”