Overload, Support, and Purpose: My Journey:

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Overload, Support, and Purpose: My Journey:


I have an important meeting and an appointment today, so I’ve cancelled all other plans to focus on these.


Yesterday, my housing officer came earlier than expected — before my breakthrough worker arrived. Breakthrough is a DCC service that helps me declutter and organise because of my mobility issues. I’m glad I still have this support and that it hasn’t been sabotaged yet, especially given what I’ve seen happen to other services. I rely on it.


She may have thought she was helping by offering to remove my stairlift — one of my most needed and relied-upon mobility aids. But this triggered me and made me feel invalidated. I literally used the stairlift the night before. I guess I mask well, but seriously?!


The sudden change caught me off guard and inside I was screaming, though outside I just said, “Yeah, it’s fine, come in.” I wasn’t fine.


On top of everything else from yesterday, it all pushed me into overload. I broke.


I reached out to my Facebook family and friends, and I’m grateful for their real support. I didn’t feel so alone.


I was shaking and at my wit’s end, but I’m proud I asked for help. That was brave, considering what I’ve overcome. I stayed kind to myself.


I told myself it’s okay to not be okay.


I allowed space for the hurt and emotional overload, and I made decisions that will help me. Despite everything, I’m still moving forward — being the person I want and need to be.


The person who gives to her community and environment.


This meeting today is very important, and once I have that to focus on, I believe I can start feeling like myself again.


People like me need purpose. We want to be useful. We don’t like how the world is, so we try to change it, as much as we can, when we can, for the better.


I live with disabilities that make life harder, but it’s about finding the right fit, pacing myself, and listening to my body.


When you’re passionate about helping others, you can’t help but wish you could do more.


Thanks for reading and for your continued support.


Sarah Wingfield

Independent Disability Advocate



Alt text: 

A stone wall with a stone arch on the left side. To the right stands a stone statue of a boy. Overlaid in white font are the words ‘Overload, Support, and Purpose: My Journey.’ In the corner is the text ‘KawaiiDollDecora’ alongside a heart logo.


#disabilityinclusion #strongertogether #disability #disabilityawareness #disabilitysupport #disabilityrights #purpose #itsokay #support

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