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“There never were in the world two opinions alike, no more than two hairs or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity.” – Michel de Montaigne
“Actually, I blame religion for my sexual orientation.”
Originally published on 3news.co.nz | 9 March 2010
One of the great things about hitting 40 was the realisation that I no longer had to do stuff young people do. So it was with great relief that I found out that Shaun and Anna, members of our Peer Support Network, had decided to go to Mardi Gras. Far better they wave the gay disabled flag than me, because mine’s a little thread bare.
I caught up with the unique pair a few days after they arrived back. read more…
I recently spoke to Mike Gourley on Radio NZ National’s “One in Five” about the Government’s discriminatory practice of not paying family members who support their disabled children into adulthood.
I employ several people on a part-time basis to provide me with the support I need to manage my unique function (impairment); my professional obligations as the director of a for-profit company and a social profit (non-profit) trust; and my home environment, which doubles as an office.
Last week one of the key people, Amy who has worked with me for over two years, left to go overseas. So I’ve had to recruit, induct and get used to someone new being in my house at 7am to help me get up in the morning.
In fact it’s been even more complex than that. read more…
Originally published on 3news.co.nz | 19 Feb 2010
Just when I was scared I’d have to write 400 words about why the Government might have thought it was an act of economic brilliance to put GST up and income tax down in the same breath, John Key went head to head with Tariana Turia over “Whanau Ora” and Karori Normal School banned homework.
Excellent, because I was totally useless at economics at school (chiefly because I never did my homework), so I’m not qualified to comment about tax changes, but I will anyway – albeit briefly.
My main beef about GST rising to 15% from 12.5% is this: at 12.5% I could divide by 8 to add GST to my business fees and divide by 9 to work out the GST component on an inclusive amount. At 15% the divisors are 6.66666667 and 7.66666667 respectively. What’s that about? read more…
Sometimes all it takes is a common experience to realise that you are not as unique as you think.
Shaun McKinney and Anna Nelson met in April 2009, at the first design forum to establish Diversityworks Trust’s Peer Support Network. Both share the experience of disability, though they prefer to think of it as unique function.
Shaun (24), a member of Rainbow Youth, is openly gay and Anna (30) is exploring her sexual preference. She also co-ordinates the Peer Support Network. read more…
