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News Building Opportunities In the Spring 2007 edition of the Hills Connection we published Bethlyn’s story about her foster son with a disability. It described the difficulties and frustrations of trying to get appropriate accommodation for him as she and her husband became older. Her son’s story continues as he remains a happy resident at Kedining. Of course, Bethlyn and her husband are not alone in facing the difficulties and trauma of finding somewhere for offspring with disabilities to live and be cared for. HCSG’s Community Living Program (CLP) is committed to doing as much as it can and, at present there are a number of facilities being planned and built within the Shire of Mundaring and City of Swan. Our major project at present is the construction of “Andrew’s Place”. Even though it is still a building site, Andrew’s Place, nestles comfortably amongst the trees, tucked away in the peace and serenity of “the hills”. Cleverly designed as three self-contained units, Andrew’s Place will provide 12 people with disabilities a home amongst the gum trees. Thanks to an Australian Government Community Water Grant from the Department of the Environment and Heritage, long summers and water restrictions will be mitigated by the installation of a water treatment unit which will recycle grey and black water to maintain landscaping and gardening projects and, in particular, an orchard. Local school children will work alongside people with disabilities to help monitor and maintain the orchard and reap, quite literally, the fruits of their efforts. In this win/win situation, participants will see the benefits of water recycling, learn the art of fruit growing, and the fruit will form the basis of a healthy eating campaign in the school. The units, built by the Department of Housing and Works, are close to completion and it won’t be long before the Biomax water treatment unit is installed and commissioned. Phil Palmer, a local landscaper, who has volunteered his time and expertise, will ensure that land cleared to allow the construction is revegetated and restored, and that the site is landscaped to make the best use of the recycled grey and black water. Those of us who have followed the progress of this project from the start are thrilled to see it taking shape, but our excitement will know no bounds when Andrew’s Place is officially opened and residents move into their purpose designed, environmentally friendly, bright and cheerful, new home! A further four units are being planned for a site in Midland. These will be offered to people whose disabilities result in challenging behaviours that prevent them sharing accommodation. So, as you can see, HCSG continues to provide much needed homes for people with disabilities.
Hooked on Hessian “Hooked on Hessian” was an intergenerational art project that took place at HCSG between the Special Eduction students of Eastern Hills Senior High School and a group of consumers who attend the Day Centre in Mundaring. Together they met weekly and with the help of artist, Norma, they produced a wool tapestry to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of HCSG. On 19th March the tapestry was officially launched and a DVD which showed the project from beginning to end was screened. The work shows various scenes depicting life at HCSG’s Mundaring base, Wahroonga, and includes the house, Felix the cat who lived with us for almost 20 years, the birds from the aviary, tools from the Men’s Workshop and even the chickens from the Community Garden!! The project offered participants the opportunity to develop skills such as creativity, coordination, self expression and initiative. It also increased social interaction, between the elderly and young people with a disability who are often very socially isolated. This was a very special project with the students and frail aged producing some amazing artwork whilst building strong relationships which have been maintained. It was wonderful to see the understanding that developed by sharing experiences and thoughts.
Life LessonsEvery working mum is faced with the challenges of juggling work and home duties and for those of us with special people in our lives the juggling act means there are an amazing number of balls in the air at any one time. I recently was thinking about how a carer brings this package together and thought it might be useful to share some of my experiences. I had found trying to work almost impossible, there always seemed to be so many pressures for me to be pro active in my child’s therapy. For most of his school years he was not strong enough to attend full time and there were frequent hospitalisations requiring more therapy, swimming, massage, yoga, riding for the disabled, bike riding, all needing high levels of support. This was a time of major intervention from child psychologists, neurologists, speech therapists, physios and occupational therapists. Sometimes it was overwhelming with programmes for exercising both a damaged brain and unresponsive body but we persevered…every day involved hours of therapy and assistance with dressing and eating and to try and fit paid work in with this regime seemed impossible. What I really wanted to do was to study but there didn’t seem to be time for that either. I remember most of that period being spent in survival mode and those of you still living that life will know what I mean. During this period of intense therapy I discovered the joys of hand therapy and crafts that encouraged bilateral hand use. Without realising what we were doing a life long relationship with textiles was born. I was looking for anything that would stimulate and encourage eye hand coordination. Sometimes we worked with fabrics and made quilts. I put a sewing machine next to his bed because that’s where he spent a good deal of his time and his job was to match the fabrics, put a dark triangle with a light coloured one and I would sew them together. He enjoyed doing this. I taught him how to use a needle and thread and he started doing simple long stitch designs on circular frames. He enjoyed this too and became very precise. I just had to keep threading the yarn. One day I came across an activity that used both hands and with time he became a rug maker. I had finally found something that offered therapy, stimulation and an enjoyable hobby. It was also around this time when I became a single mum with 3 teenagers that taking a real job was the only option available. This was crunch time. There was a part time job going in a Community Centre as a crèche supervisor and I thought I might be able to manage this. There was just one problem. I had no previous experience, no work history, no resume and no references. Being desperate I sat down and wrote down all my volunteer experience. It was more extensive than I realised. I had been a scout leader, had my 1 st aid certificate, worked in special education as an assistant, ran a folk club and of course there was my caring experience of about 13 years to add to the list. I added to this mix my love of children’s literature and the ability to play the guitar and sing ‘Bananas in Pyjamas’ at the same time. I was sure I had sat through more hours of Play School than Big Ted and convinced the interview panel that I would be an ideal candidate for the Crèche Supervisors job. As luck would have it I got the job and life ticked along with many happy hours immersed in kids stuff. During this time I realised what was missing from my life…people contact. I loved meeting the mums who came to help on rosters. I delighted in their company and began to realise just how much I had to offer and just how much experience I had gained as a volunteer and a mother. The area that grew the most was my confidence and this is the wonderful thing about work…self worth. When my son left school, (that’s where that big word transition comes in) my world changed enormously. He needed full time care and I couldn’t take him to work. It was a time for major change and I found myself falling back on “recognition of prior learning” and using all the skills I had gained from working with my son to offer art therapy classes. The only way I could see I could provide him the support he needed was for us to work together and think outside the square. It was a huge step of faith starting our own small business but here we are 10 years on and it’s been the most fulfilling, creative time of our lives. So why am I sharing all this? Hopefully to empower some of you to realise the amazing contribution you as carers bring to the Community. I’m not sure why it took me so long to realise that I was more than just a carer. I think for the most part it’s because we get so caught up in the day to day stuff and we envy those with real jobs in the so called real world. I’m just here reminding each and every one of you what a great job you do and if you are looking for work don’t undervalue all your volunteer history and of course your role as carer. by Norma Hatchett Anniversary Art Exhibition As part of HCSG’s 25 th anniversary celebrations, art workshops are being conducted which will culminate in an exhibition at the Mundaring Arts Centre from 26 th to 30 th June and at other locations yet to be announced. Jacqui Crossley, a local artist, is sharing her time and her talent with an enthusiastic group of older people at Centenary House and people with disabilities who participate in the Open Options program at Pinewood. Jacqui has thrown her energies into this project with great gusto and is delighted with the response. Both groups have shown remarkable creative aptitude with vivid colours and a variety of artistic effects. With the workshops nearing completion, there are over one hundred pieces of artwork for display. Many of them will be for sale with the proceeds going back into the programs. Throughout the art workshops, Jacqui has shared her skills and techniques with HCSG staff. This will enable staff to continue promoting and encouraging the older people and people with disabilities in this area which has clearly given them so much pleasure and enormous satisfaction in seeing their artistic efforts burst into life. To quote Jacqui as she embarked on this amazing project: “So begins an interactive journey to share love and encouragement. The journey is the real art; the pictures will be the memories of a moment of excitement shared by some wonderful free spirits.”
Jacqui and Simon working together
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