The “Foghorn” experience

Our morning tea was abruptly interrupted by a sharp knock on our front door. The door was hardly ajar when she brushed us a side. There was no room for small talk, this woman was on a mission. Our house needed to be cleaned and she knew exactly how it was to be done. It quickly became obvious that she had a “Basil Faulty” mentality. Housekeeping would be a lot simpler if the clients just had the decency to remove themselves from the premises for just a couple of hours, was her reasoning

After a second barrage of instructions Dad and I labelled her “Foghorn” as we sipped our increasingly cold cup of tea. During her whirlwind visit she told us not to call her a caregiver or house keeper. Instead she informed us of her official title, which gave us the impression that she must have an oversized business card to fit all the words in

.She obviously had an aversion to - or perhaps a fondness for- urinal bottles, as mine was missing when she finally departed and so was my cut down umbrella handle, which I use to shut dad’s back door, on my frequent visits, from next door.

I find these two pieces of equipment quite useful But, oh no, “Foghorn” knew best because she has “gone on a course” which gave her a grandiose title and a lot of perceived authority. Apparently she had a right to throw these things out.

My caregivers have been wonderful over the years who have worked WITH me to help me reach my independence. Individualised Funding has arrived on the scene and is becoming increasingly popular. This funding option lets disabled people directly manage the resources they are allocated for disability supports, following an assessment, by a NASC organisation.

Innovations like Individualised Funding are the way to go where caregivers and clients work together in an equal partnership. Surely this is a better option than trying to create another kind of “expert” who proceeds to bulldoze their way in to people’s homes and immediately reduces all residents to obedient children.

For more information about Individualised Funding contact your local NASC office or contact Karen Smith, MOH Development Manager DDI: 09 580 9056 Mobile: 021 2446218 Email: karen_smith@moh.govt.nz

Ross Flood rflood@cpsociety.org.nz

2010 Archive Articles:

“Mamma Mia” what a night!!! 13/7/2010 (Photos & Video)
Beyond Joke and Pocket 6/7/2010
Boccia circuit in full swing 30/6/2010
New players welcome to Bridge Battle 25/6/2010
A video resource kit 17/6/2010
2010 Review of Human Rights in New Zealand 10/6/2010
Early initiatives make the man 3/6/2010
Unforgettable Journeys 27/5/2010

Subsidized insulation and heating 20/5/2010
“Big OE on Wheels" 13/5/2010
Discussion on the causes and consequences of CP 6/5/2010
ADHB needs your input 29/4/2010
“Know How” Expo a must for Diaries 22/4/2010
Knight champions cord blood research 14/4/2010
Spark your creative juices 6/4/2010
Mike agrees, Adam’s a cool dude 30/3/2010
A Dummy's Guide to Cord Blood and Stem Cells..... :) 23/3/2010
Auckland Trots Night 2010 16/3/2010 (Photos)
Changes to equipment and modifications services 9/3/2010
Bob knew anything is possible 2/3/2010
Special Education Review ! (19th Mar.!) 20/2/2010
People Getting Out There 10/2/2010
Disability perspective of Avatar 3/2/2010

AusACPDM Conference - Christchurch 26/1/2010
CP Society Holiday Boccia Tournament 15/1/2010 (Photos)
“Getting Out There” in Hamilton 5/1/2010

For Archive Articles
The News

BOCCIA DIRECTOR POSITION!
The Society is planning to employ a person to promote boccia in NZ at the grass roots level. If interested and you wish to know more details then click here

BOCCIA BATTLE of the BRIDGE (17-18th July)

What a great tournament with a great turn out. 54 players battled it out to see whether the North or South would take the grand prize. Congratulations to the North who won convincingly 243 to 189. For photos of the tournament click here

getOutThere Vouchers
For those of you already on the getOutThere program, you should have received your new set of vouchers that will expire at the end of Dec 2010 (certainly by the 2nd July). If not there could be two reasons:
- You have not renewed your membership!
- We have screwed up, in which case you should call or email us.

Photos from Brunches
in Christchurch (20th June) click here
Invercargill (2nd May), click here
Tauranga (16th May) click here


Click on the Cover to download the May 2010 issue of the Review




© Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand 1984 - 2010