06/03/2022
Today I was called out for not being Grateful enough for how far we have come in the world of Disability rights, funding & inclusion - particularly here in Australia.
I felt so frustrated, hurt & pretty angry by the time I got home
Firstly-They were right, I haven’t been feeling very grateful lately. My natural demeanour being a glass half full & often over flowing has not been very present & my ego hates being called out, they were right RUDE!
Our return to Australia has been a lot to navigate, so much red tape to set up supports for Torryn & while the needle has shifted significantly w/ regards funding & education inclusion since we left over 7 yrs ago - it’s been an adjustment to return & in moments hard, depleting & occasionally infuriating.
So while I AM Grateful & I DO celebrate the significant shifts that have been accomplished & I am the first person to cheer change I have clearly not been expressing this - instead focusing on more room for improvement.
But the problem is, when you know better you want better.
& I Want Better!
Better for my Child
Better for my Family
Better for my Community
Yes… Better for Me
I will never apologise that.
I think back to the people who started out breaking down walls, calling out the injustices to change legislation for Disability Rights to get us here, where we are now.
A place where Disability is not just seen, but heard & in moments actually celebrated & cheered.
Stella Young, Ed Roberts, Eunice Kennedy Shiver, Judith Heumann, many more in history who fought & didn’t accept in gratitude where they were - but instead fought, petitioned, protested, shouted knowing they & future generations deserved better.
So while I accept that I might need to check myself on the practice of Gratitude & perhaps celebrate more on how far we have come… I’ll be damned if I’ll stay silent & not speak up when I see injustice or discrimination towards my child or in our community.
As Eleanore Roosevelt once said - Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History - and while I have never desired to make history, I have also never been one to stay quiet accepting the status que.
💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
