Immoral Boomers
My in laws (insert all boomer stereotypes plus FIL is an ex cop) have a disabled parking badge from getting a hip replacement which they still use even though they are both fully mobile! They even complain when they can't find a disabled spot! My husband and I have both told them we think it's terrible behaviour but they won't relent. What should I do??? PS. We all live together đź«
Lovenundrum
** Please play “high gay” sound effect ** Hi Em and Michael, I’ve been seeing a Brit for the last month. We’re both 29yr old gay men. We’ve spent every day or every second day together here in Melbourne. We’ve both drunkenly said I love you a couple of times… and we meant it. All I want is to see where our romance leads. But due to his visa, he has to return to London in 45 days. And now, I’m considering moving to London. I only have enough cash money honey to get me to London one way. I know it’s too soon for me to consider what I’m considering. Would you move to a foreign country for an absolute babe that makes you smile? X Lachie
How might I kindly let a colleague know about her ableism?
During a staff meeting, a colleague of mine shared a story of meeting a 12 year old that morning on her way to work. The child had asked her the time and was on her way to school. My well-meaning colleague asked her what she had done to herself before learning the child was born with a physical disability, and that was why she was limping. My colleague then proceeded to tell us aaaall about how she had repeatedly told this girl how amazing she was, that she could achieve anything she wanted, she was an inspiration, that she wished her all the best, that meeting this girl made her think about how trivial her own worries are - you get the gist. She also showed us a selfie she took with the child which I’m not sure was entirely consensual (it may have been, but can a 12 year old really consent to that? For the record, I’m keeping an eye on social media and will definitely tell her to take it down if she posts it). She also said the child was nearly crying in the end. I wondered whether it was out of embarrassment/humiliation/feeling singled out/etc. or whether she was responding to the message in the way it was (mis?)intended by my colleague. I’m still getting my head around my own ableism. But I think it may have been the former and I was fighting an overwhelming urge to tell my colleague to stop talking and that what she was saying and what she did was actually inappropriate. We are early intervention allied health professionals working with mostly NDIS participants. However, I think my lovely colleague may come from a culture where people with disabilities are shunned and hidden away because of the shame of it. While she clearly does not have this belief, I could be wrong, but I get a sense that she lived a privileged and sheltered life before she came to Australia. I informed her very early about our first Nations Peoples, which she was really grateful for and has since taken much time to learn more about. She is the kind of person who genuinely tries to be kind in all she does, and I admire that. I’m wondering how to make her aware of her ableism in a kind way… PS. Sorry if the way I’ve written this is also ablest. Happy to be corrected kindly. Much love and thanks for being awesome x
How do you help your kids 'find their tribe'?
Firstly love everything you are putting out there <3 For a half-italian, half aussie that grew up at the same time, not all that far from you everything you say resonates in buckets for me <3 Now I need some help for the next generation of amazing females. I have an amazing just turned 15yo daughter. She is creative, she loves sport, has an amazing sense of what is 'right', will advocate for those that need it, has a wicked sense of humour, and in generally an awesome human being. She just cant seem to find her 'tribe'. Too arty for the sporty kids, too sporty for the arty kids, doesn't like the same music as most of her school mates or sports friends (I swear she should have been a 90's kid!). She can be shy, but because of her amazing natural resting bitch face can come off as elusive or unapproachable. She definitely doesn't fit in at school where she is a minority, and they don't have sport programs there. She asks about changing schools, but I cant see anywhere fitting in at either a sport or art school. To top off the conundrum, she is a queer kid who doesn't feel she has much in common with other queer kids. How do we help her find her people? Thanks, D