RESEARCH

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
– Article 22: Respect for Privacy

Australian Human Rights Commission – Rights of People with Disabilities
– has the right to privacy and confidentiality: personal privacy; privacy in communications; confidentiality of personal records and information
– Has the right to self determination: to make own decisions and choices in all aspects of their life

Jackie wrote:

Privacy is hard to have when you have a disability and are reliant on people to feed and dress you. According to the Rights of People with Disabilities, you have the right to privacy and confidentiality. For me, it means I get to chose what is shared with mum and other people. I want some privacy in my conversations. Reading everything I say is invading my privacy. I can’t speak for other people with disabilities, but this is important to me. I ask that people check whether I want my conversations recorded or shared. Very important to let me have choice. Privacy is my right.

In my life, anxiety is a nuisance. It takes over and ruins things.
Imagine living in a body ruled by fear. It is horrendous.
My legs get like gel and I can’t stand.
My mind screams in anguish help, help.
My body quivers and shakes.
Strategies leave my mind. I am blank.
Deb helps me but sometimes she can’t stop the tight binds of anxiety.
But often I get scared by things that are culled.
By culled things, I mean giants and evil things.
I also worry a lot.
I worry about family and friends and their wellbeing.
Deb is cute when she puts the circle of protection around me. It helps lots at uni.
Deb helps me understand that I can listen and not be hurt.
Dear me, it is a drain to worry so much.
Draining, dreadful, dastardly anxiety.

Children and adults around Australia have anxiety issues.
How sad for our country. Think of the torment they are suffering.
Frank discussions are needed to determine why anxiety is a problem.
Please be kind when people are stressed.
Please, please, please!

Research is useful but not the solution.

By Jackie

Australia Day, a day to be proud to be Australian.

You might believe this.

But open your eyes and your mind and you will change your mind.

Suspect you don’t know the real story.

European people invaded Australia and proceeded to destroy Aboriginal people and their culture.

Shock! Horror! The hidden histories are revealed!

Very kind they were to us but stupid Europeans destroyed them.

Distracted by their pride and courage, they ruined our land.

Australia Day needs to be banished.

Dads and Mums take heed the message is wrong.

Suffering is the Aboriginal people’s memory of the first landing.

Save their dignity and change this national day of celebration.

Postscript

I too did not accept. My schooling told a different story. But I opened my mind and learned the Indigenous perspective. Change is very difficult to accept. Very challenging and confronting. But I need to say, it is worth it. We learn from what we see and are told. It is very difficult to understand other’s perspectives when Indigenous history is hidden. It is time to open our minds to Indigenous history. It is very important to them, and our country.