Friday, July 12, 2019

“This has incredible value” ... something every family member and carer should know

Prologue here:

Dictee is important. Yes; even if you're deaf or dyslexic. It's an element of the French and Francophone system which doesn't ever seem to go away. It was particularly helpful for me today this Bastille Day weekend - if nothing else it keeps a student or a person occupied, and thus in good mental health and occupational therapy.

I have been working on oral histories like Alexievich's Secondhand Time [2016] and Recording Oral History: a guide for the humanities and social sciences ed3 from Raleigh Yow [2015].

You’re not just there to supplement or replace the Government.

“Struggle without their presence - or significant contribution”.

What matters to carers? this is what today is about.

How to recognise and support the contribution.

Planning for the future - growing and ageing population.

Diminishing presence in lives and communities a difficult question for many to consider.

The role of young carers - how will they be best supported?

The impact will be profound.

I wonder if Rebecca Thomas is just such a young carer? Or is she a more traditional one?

Carers spoke about the rewards of their caring roles - sharing a deep personal bond.

How hard it can be - relentless and ongoing.

The need to be recognised; respected; assessment; treatment.

Requirements in legislation and the value of sharing information.

Connection to supports and services which respond to the breadth of loved ones’ needs.

Repeating information - justice; education; housing; health services.

Supports for carers too specifically to help.

Excessive expectations from a pressured system - their loved one is home too soon.

A range of different prospects: Rebecca Thomas has a family with multi-generational issues.

She cared for her mother first. Teenage and adult years - later on she cared for her two brothers - one brother died from suicide earlier in 2019.

She is part of the support network for her family and other people.

RT is under a RPO.

Rose Cuff - state-wide co-ordinator for parents with a mental illness - FAPNE - how people come to be carers for their parents.

Jessie Morgan - carer for his mum. He is 25 years old - has been caring for mother since 14 - cooking; shopping; part-time work; going to school. He had no supports or help with those things. Consequences for schooling - set him back.

His caring role was always his priority. He has his own mental

Mary Pershall - she will talk about Anna. Anna needed a lot of help when she was very young - she did get a stable treatment environment even if she was imprisoned for it. 17-year sentence for manslaughter

Margaret Leggatt - Wellways Australia - we fight to get their e-mails. She talks about schizophrenia [like Anna has - she probably has schizoaffective disorder].


John Murray and Kate - parents of a daughter who had an eating disorder. Speak of their joint experiences. Journey from teenager to adult. Pen-name RPO [restricted publication order].

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