Two webinars on deinstitutionalisation: “Ordinary lives” Todays post is to highlight two important webinars being hosted by the European Network on Independent Living, coming up soon. The United Nations Deinstitutionalisation Guidelines released in 2022 refer to all people with disabilties, which therefore includes people living with dementia. People with dementia are not only locked inside…
Recently I read an interesting article titled, “Maslow got it wrong”. Many of us were taught Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs was both a model for self actualisation and creating strong, healthy communities. But this was recently challenged this Eurocentric paradigm and that it would be a different hierarchy if he was a poor Black man…
Taking the Pedal Off the Metal: When Should Older Adults Stop Driving? Published by NIH News in Health, October 2021 “… some health conditions common with aging may make it riskier to get behind the wheel. Stiffer joints and weaker muscles can make it harder to steer or brake safely. Eye diseases and some medications…
For some, reading my chapter in this book may feel like I’m ripping off a Band-Aid, or worse. It may feel like a betrayal. It may sound ‘angry’. There will definitely be moments of discomfort, denial, and even disbelief that a ‘retired’ dementia self-advocate could, and would dare to say many of the things I’ve…
On behalf of Linda and myself, I’m providing an update on our research project and provide links to our project resources, as well as a recording of the launch event. I was privileged to work as an Associate Investigator on this project with Dr Linda Steele. Our latest post, Launches, Publications, and Advocacy: A Busy Time…
On 11-12 October 2023, the Australian Human Rights Institute at UNSW Sydney will host its biennial conference, Accountability in crisis: the rise of impunity as a challenge to human rights. It is an important event, as the lack of accountability of perpetrators of harm in the dementia and aged care system in Australia is appalling, as…
I’m motivated to post a blog here today because of an article I read written by Dom Kelly, who is a co-founder of the New Disabled South, an organisation devoted to fighting for people with disabilities in the South, where issues like poverty, voting rights, and criminalization disproportionately impact the disabled community. In Australia, these issues…
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability recently released a commissioned research report into the use of ‘restrictive practices’. The Restrictive practices: A pathway to elimination research report, compiled by researchers from the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney says restrictive practices…
This draft blog was sitting in my draft folder, written a few years ago as part of observing a Brain health Awareness Month series. Inspired by Wendy Mitchell, I’ve been trying to reingnite my habit of daily, or at least, a more regular writing habit, and today, it seemed appropriate to talk about the impact…
‘Ellen Louise Pence (April 15, 1948 – January 6, 2012) was an American scholar and a social activist. She co-founded the Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, an inter-agency collaboration model used in all 50 states in the U.S. and over 17 countries. A leader in both the battered women’s movement and the emerging field of institutional ethnography, she was the recipient of numerous awards…
In the Australian May 2023 budget, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced an important change to the welfare payment for single parents: recipients could stay on it until their youngest child turned 14, up from the previous cut-off at 8 years old. The campaign that took place leading up to the budget is a success story of…
Register for this important event later this month! You will be joined by leading researchers, practitioners and advocates, on reproductive rights, the prevention of torture, the federal human rights framework, and climate activism. Hear from our inspiring speakers and ask questions during the audience Q&A following each presentation. Online and in person options available. Obviously, my main interest is in…
For almost 15 years, I’ve been campaigning for ALL people with dementia to be advised the symptoms of dementia are acquired disabilities, not only a death sentence, and for all people with dementia to receive rehabilitation, immediately after diagnosis. This is to support, and even improve cognitve and functional abilities, as well as improve our…
Over the last few years, but especially the last few months, I feel like I have finally found my tribe, or perhaps, I have found a new tribe. This emerging and growing group of people I have come to know, either through social media, zoom and even a few who I’ve met in person, not…
Long term care (LTC), is one term used to describe congregate living style settings including nursing homes and residential aged care institutions; most countries have their preferred term, as do academic journals. As a humanitarian and campaigner for civil rights and social justice, I’m becoming increasingly aware, and more educated on why these locked assisted…
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