I realized a long time ago that all of us are standing between two maps - the ‘boundary of the service system’ (which you describe in vivid detail here) and what I call ‘the shoreline of authentic community’, which is inherently far more abundant and easier to navigate if we know how to do it.
The boundary of the service system requires us to define ourselves and our loved ones in the most devastating ways possible in order to prove ourselves deserving of supports - something that I’ve called ‘a game of competitive misery’. But the shoreline of authentic community has a different ‘operating system’, based on invitation, agreement, and a practice of identifying and mobilizing every single person’s gifts.
By the way, the reason I use the term ‘authentic’ is to differentiate that space from so-called ‘community-based services’ in which components of the institutional service system are ground up and parachuted into the ‘stage setting’ of the community in the form of group homes and segregated ‘day programs’.
We do need the valid and rightful contributions that an adaptive service system can offer, and I’ve learned that there can be a right relationship’ - a creative collaboration - between the two maps, but we need to be careful to avoid putting all of our time and energy into navigating the service system at the cost of losing our connection with friends, neighbours, colleagues, and the people with whom we share our interests that lie beyond disability.
Thank you for your insightful comment. I also feel it’s a conversation between of law vs ethics and moral integrity. Practicality vs dreams. Fiscal limitations vs human rights. Usually I’m the eternal optimist but I stray into cynicism when outcomes rely on government systems. I feel like we’re starting out with a significant handicap. I very much hope I’m wrong btw.
I realized a long time ago that all of us are standing between two maps - the ‘boundary of the service system’ (which you describe in vivid detail here) and what I call ‘the shoreline of authentic community’, which is inherently far more abundant and easier to navigate if we know how to do it.
The boundary of the service system requires us to define ourselves and our loved ones in the most devastating ways possible in order to prove ourselves deserving of supports - something that I’ve called ‘a game of competitive misery’. But the shoreline of authentic community has a different ‘operating system’, based on invitation, agreement, and a practice of identifying and mobilizing every single person’s gifts.
By the way, the reason I use the term ‘authentic’ is to differentiate that space from so-called ‘community-based services’ in which components of the institutional service system are ground up and parachuted into the ‘stage setting’ of the community in the form of group homes and segregated ‘day programs’.
We do need the valid and rightful contributions that an adaptive service system can offer, and I’ve learned that there can be a right relationship’ - a creative collaboration - between the two maps, but we need to be careful to avoid putting all of our time and energy into navigating the service system at the cost of losing our connection with friends, neighbours, colleagues, and the people with whom we share our interests that lie beyond disability.
Dave Wetherow
https://www.thestarraftproject.com
Thank you for your insightful comment. I also feel it’s a conversation between of law vs ethics and moral integrity. Practicality vs dreams. Fiscal limitations vs human rights. Usually I’m the eternal optimist but I stray into cynicism when outcomes rely on government systems. I feel like we’re starting out with a significant handicap. I very much hope I’m wrong btw.
hi Anna
as someone just getting into the NDIS space (SDA specifically as we are kit home suppliers), and I'm absorbing info like a sponge.
Thank you for the reality hits, great to read