Hi everyone
The question posed about "respite from what" and might I add "what is
respite" are good healthy questions to ponder. Judy, by asking this you
may indeed be led to more concrete answers. I believe that the linear style
thinking of rationalism tends to perpetuate the status quo rather than
promote innovation in terms of finding solutions. For instance: research
methods used in community consultations that aim to find out what the
respite needs of parents are, pose questions such as "what would you really
like in terms of respite care (dream a little)?"
This looks as though it's giving a lot of scope for people to say what
their needs are and what they want isn't it? I'm not so sure. The
question already frames the thinking so that any answers will be somehow
aligned to current definitions of what respite is and what respite services
are already available and what form they take. Thats why I say forget
respite care. It is a bandaid approach to a gaping wound. It aims to
maintain the status quo (explicitly). Provide the children and adults with
disabilities with the services they need and provide parents with the
services they need. The community consultation questionnaire should thus
say, "how could you best be supported....?". I say all this assuming that
attitudes are not going to change rapidly enough for the need for support
agencies to go away just yet.
I have my own crazy ideas about the types of support that could be offered
to parents Judy. Enough to say they look at reclaiming self and resisting
dominant notions of carer and motherhood roles.
It may seem trite but even just the opportunity to speak in an interview
(for my own MA research) was in some ways enlightening (so a few said).
They had never even thought about some of the insidious ways they had been
individuated into these roles.
Just a parting message to John too. I am not offended but I think that us
voyeurs can be good allies. I am happy to say that I am still learning
more and more from reading these posts. And I hope that you may find the
slightest bit of solace in the fact that even though I am an observer and I
theorise and hypothesise, I do at least care.
With best regards
Laurence Bathurst
University of Sydney
School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
East Street (P.O. Box 170)
Lidcombe NSW 1825
Australia
Ph+ 61 2 9351 9509
Fax+ 61 2 9351 9166
E-mail [log in to unmask]
Note: This is the e-mail address for my home as well
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There is not one shred of evidence that supports the notion that life is
serious.
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