June 26th, 2013 2:01 pm

The Design Files

By |2017-12-11T14:28:45+11:00June 26th, 2013|Categories: About, Creativity, Living, Online|Tags: , , , , |

...I'll clarify now, this post is a very positive one. It's about standing up, facing the world which requires courage, strength, being understood, supported, alot of struggle, and a damn load of management skills. ... not only did Lucy Feagins share our creativity on her brilliant blog, but her address and understanding of our space and lives couldn't have been more spot on or more supportive of PN. It puzzled me that Lucy could understand it when others struggle so much. ... I want judgement to stop. People in pain shouldn't have to say more than 'I suffer chronic pain'. It's harmful and prevents people in pain from going out when they're feeling ok, or rather when they can withstand their pain. If their houses are really tidy, that means they have help. If you see them socialising in one place, doesn't mean they can make it to the next. We are able to smile, we can move, we can walk, we can stand, just not alot. We don't hunch, in fact our practitioners teach us to have great posture, we might sit funny, walk slow, not carry much, and stare as you may you won't see our pain. If we appear somewhere and look great, we planned for that and it took alot of sacrifice and help. If you have doubts, keep them to yourself please because there's no doubt in our mind we're in pain.

May 31st, 2013 3:17 pm

The Scheme Project

By |2023-01-24T16:12:33+11:00May 31st, 2013|Categories: Advocacy, News, Workcover|Tags: , , , , , |

You can all imagine why The Scheme Project caught my attention and you can all understand why my pledge was not only made in seconds it was supported (and increased) by my husband Theo who equally saw the benefits in Kris's project. As frustrating as it is being left without any income and medical support after my workplace accident and having my fair share of rants to expose, I actually appreciated Kris's professional approach to his project and his intent to make the documentary up front but not personal. He's not looking for tantrums, witch hunts, singling out of fraudsters and unethical behaviour but rather aiming at exposing the realities in hope of making a change. At the end of our conversation we both agreed that life's great knowledge of 'health first' doesn't seem to be part of WorkCover's culture. The support just isn't there, not in treatment, not in standards, not financially and certainly not in return to work. What does Kris need? Your signatures and your pledge (pledges are not collected unless Kris reaches his target). 'You' may be an injured worker, family member of an injured worker or employer, a treating practitioner, medical examiner, conciliator, lawyer, investigator, WorkSafe agent staff member, Minister, anyone associated with the WorkCover system in fact any worker or employer, we all deserve better quality protection.

May 9th, 2013 2:17 pm

My_Space, My facade, living with Pudendal Neuralgia

By |2017-12-11T13:46:29+11:00May 9th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Creativity, Print|Tags: , , |

We don't usually love media, but a little attention after some lengthy hibernation from work was bound to be very valuable for our (Theo's and my) 12 or so year old business, Origin of Image. The lovely Sunday Style (Herald Sun) offered an interview in their 'My_Space' feature... hmmm, quite funny for us as there's nothing 'my' about 'our' life. We share work, living, we even share Pudendal Neuralgia (PN). However this media attention and the snap of me in Sunday's weekend paper had me staring at my portrait (thank you Marija Ivkovic) with curiousity at that captured second of my able life. I looked incredibly independent, active, like I was working full-time and like the issue I confessed to was clearly easy to live with. We are all judged on our facade... and although it was stated in the article that I have PN, I often wonder: can it (or any other invisible issue) ever be understood by my friends, family or community at a glance? The answer is obviously 'no'. I myself battle to understand this conflicting issue with its high sensitivity, on/off maddening, screaming and confusing signals and failing functions, and that's no surprise because even I can't see it! Theo puts it well, "I can't understand Pudendal Neuralgia but I believe Soula".

March 7th, 2012 11:58 pm

Published and about to be heard!

By |2017-12-11T16:14:01+11:00March 7th, 2012|Categories: Advocacy, Creativity, Online, Workcover|Tags: , , |

Thank you Graphis, The International Journal of Visual Communication, for publishing my political poster.

Australia's WorkSafe system needs a serious update for the sake of Employers, Workers and Tax Payers. I'm hoping to get enough views to be published in the Graphis Annual and send a personally signed copy to our WorkSafe Minister.
November 29th, 2011 4:57 am

Donate

By |2017-12-15T15:56:11+11:00November 29th, 2011|Categories: About, Advocacy, The pain|Tags: |

No donations necessary but if you are a health org and would like to support the cause I would certainly appreciate the sponsorship. Everyone else just blab your head off if the site has been a help to you. If you can provide more information and new resources then please use the contact form and let me know. Quickly!

November 25th, 2011 1:00 am

Down the hole: a descent into painful isolation

By |2021-02-24T10:28:34+11:00November 25th, 2011|Categories: Advocacy, Creativity|Tags: , |

Chia Moan's painting Shrinking World aims to shed light on the effects of living with severe and persistent pain. Moan was among artists who spoke to pain sufferers and says she remembers one patient who said she felt like Alice disappearing down the rabbit hole, with the opening at the top growing smaller and smaller.

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