A Poem to Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People
By Lisa Wheeler
Email: 15 March 2024
I wrote this poem, and I thought that it might be helpful for you. It reflects my feelings about the experience of having my hands tied in what I can spend my individual funding on. It was read to the public meeting held by Priyanca Radhakrishnan in AKL on Saturday. Priyanca.Radhakrishnan@parliament.govt.nz
You can listen to her reading it on her FB page.
I'm making as much noise as possible here in Blenheim.
A POEM TO WHAIKAHA
MINISTRY OF DISABLED PEOPLE
In a world of funding twists and turns
Where logic sometimes overturns
A
tale of rules that make us frown
And leave us feeling quite let down
Now the guidelines leave essentials banned
And perplexity in rules hard
to understand
Guidelines that baffle and confound
Leaving us with
tears and worry all around
Funding changes oh what a sight
The guidelines disempower and that’s not
right
One day we're covered the next we're not
As if the impact of
disability is just forgot
From equipment to travel to meds so dear
The changes now seem to instill
fear
We ask with worry how will this end
Having to navigate this
maze round every bend
Whaikaha funding where chaos reigns
We must persevere despite the
strains
A swamp of rules disempower choice
We'll stand up and make
them hear our voice
So here's to us, suffering through this tragedy
Where the rules are
strange and a travesty
As many tears fall and bodies continue to ache
We'll
cling to hope Whaikaha see what’s at stake
Written by Lisa Wheeler March 2024
Lisa Wheeler, 56yrs, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2002, bravely navigates life's challenges. Transitioning to a regular wheelchair user in 2021 due to reduced mobility during the 2020 lockdowns, she faced further adversity in 2023 with hospitalisation from complications with funded pharmaceuticals. Despite setbacks, Lisa, a Clinical Hypnotherapist since 2012, embodies resilience, inspiring others with her determination and commitment to living life on her own terms.
Last Updated 15/04/2024
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