October has been rather the month to remember. I must admit that I have felt surprisingly like Odysseus, wondering what the hell is just around the corner. On this final glorious day in October, I am pondering my navel between guests in the East End Gallery. What a joy to be in one layer of clothes, be warm and throw the front doors open so we can welcome visitors. Beverley has been jumping this weekend, and without an actual scheduled event.
Since the opening of our intrastate borders in 2020 following the first COVID 19 shutdown. Beverley has been discovered by tourists. Most weekends, the town has recreational visitors in the caravan park and free RV site, in the pubs and the Beverley Bed and Breakfast. The caravan park is bursting at the seams and the RV friendly site has plenty of takers.
Visitors are enjoying the multitude of activities available here in Heavenly Beverley. Realising the potential of our town, the Shire has been very proactive with building our fabulous Moort Wabiny (Family Play) skatepark, pump track, basketball court and playground. Now the Vincent Street redevelopment has commenced with power going underground and beautification of the main street with shade and gardens. Both our pubs have new owners, the Red Vault and Bakery continue to cater to families, new art enterprises such as Jodi's Rustic Chic, Marion and Rebecca's Art and Jewellery Studio and Sarah's Inspiration have sprung up. Mandy operates fantastic workshops at her Art Garden, we continue to expand at the East End Gallery and the Station Artist-in-Residence program has become an overnight sensation after fifteen years! Kylie's Lucky Find is the best frock shop in the Wheatbelt, Nex Dor has a wonderful array of garden gifts and those magnificent men in their gliding machines fill the skies at weekends. For history enthusiasts, the Dead Finish Museum and Ferguson's Vintage Machinery Collection will fascinate and engage.
With the mild weather continuing, November will still be perfect for day trippers and travellers. We already have the Landslide Fleetwood Mac/Eagles Tribute next Saturday 6 November from 6.30 pm, along with our Community markets, which are held in the morning. Then on 19 November, a classical guitar recital featuring Don Neander will be held at St Mary's Church from 7.30pm. Proceeds will be added to the restoration fund for St Mary's.
Please be aware that if coming for the weekend, the Beverley IGA closes at 12 noon on Saturdays and is not open on Sundays.
Anyway, I have digressed. Back to the various odysseys I have untaken, some with my beloved Michael and some on my own. We started the month delightedly staying with Callum, Bronwyn and our adored Miss Imogen Ivy. Approaching two years of age, Immy kept us entertained over forty-three precious hours whilst her Mummy and Daddy gave us a much needed mini break.
We roared through the next couple of weeks. Another of our famous Sundowners was a night of nights. The unofficial Beverley Heroic was held by a bunch of dedicated bike riders who thumbed their noses at bureaucracy and kept a marvellous event going, albeit on their own.
Our first welding workshop featuring Michael as facilitator was an absolute triumph. Held over two days, participants played with MiG welders, grinding wheels and Michael's trusty forge. Excellent fun was had by all. Stay tuned for details of our next workshop.
Then disaster. Michael fell over transporting an anvil out of the workshop and grazed his left arm. Next, he dropped a painting when his hand gave way and nearly fell off the high ladder. He followed those catastrophes up with falling backwards off a stepladder. Marooned on the floor, guest Kaz and I helped him up. Without being sure what he had really done to himself, his already injured left arm quickly blew up and became very painful.
We spent a day in Emergency. Inconclusive X ray. A trip to Stephanie, GP to the Stars and to Ben Kimberley, Boy Wonder orthopaedic surgeon. Bloods on Monday. An MRI last Tuesday. Waiting on results. The bloody arm is still very painful...
And in between all this, I continue of my voyage of discovery with the NDIS. Despot springs to mind with thinking about the NDIS. Despot had its origins in the sixteenth century, from the French "despote", translated via Latin from the Greek "despotes" (δεσπότης), which meant "master" or "absolute ruler". There are times I believe the NDIA/S behaves in a despotic manner.
The NDIS has its own rules, protocols and practices that are often a mystery to those it proclaims to be assisting. Alex has an NDIS Plan and funding, which he doesn't understand. Until meeting with an Advocate in Jeanette and finding an efficient Plan Manager in Kathryn, I was in the dark regarding the operations of the NDIA/S.
After over a year trying to fund airconditioning from his plan in Alex's Housing Authority unit and being told "not enough medical information" and "not value for money", I learnt from Jeanette that they would never have funded the airconditioning as Alex lives in public housing. This is in spite of an NDIS call centre staffer advising me to have an occupational therapist conduct various assessments in order to provide evidence for installing airconditioning in his unit...
I have been informed that Local Area Coordinators insert data into set forms which may or may not address a participant's needs.
I have been informed that I should not write in paragraphs as they will not be read any text of length.
I have been introduced to a whole new world of jargon.
I have learnt that Alex's funding is insufficient through no fault of his or mine.
With the help of Jeanette and Kathryn, I now have some direction. Which involves much more work towards a "change of circumstance" in a third plan this year. However, when I actually know how to communicate in NDIA/S lingo, I might be able to access better outcomes for my boy.
We are approaching four o'clock on the last day of October. There are still people and cars buzzing around on the main drag. Tomorrow will be the first of our free days. There are the normal household chores waiting, but I have a hankering to get into my courtyards and tend my pots.
Until next time!
No comments:
Post a Comment