Positive Images of Disability

[Gavmacp]

I work with learning disability clients in a newish unit.
I have noticed that the staff have adopted the usual attitudes to this client group.
I am looking for positive images and written work such as poems that make people stop and think.

[woofgang]

Try a cattle prod. Seriously.

[Gavmacp]

On the clients or staff!?

[emmie]

the staff, if they have that attitude already. What would you class as the usual attitudes by the way.

[RATTER15]

What is the "usual attitudes" ?

[Gavmacp]

Clients treated as just objects that need tasks done for them.
Being ignored.
Sat in front of television watching rubbish for most of the day.
I could go on.
I am looking for poems, photographs that make people stop and think about how they treat the person they are supporting.

[emmie]

they don't need a cattle prod, but a taser if they have those attitudes.

[Gavmacp]

Unfortunately the 'caring' profession is often full of people that do not care.
But I would like to address some of the people that I work with and to some extent myself.

[emmie]

the staff that is. agh clients, i just hate that word,
sorry i digress perhaps a shared reading group, books that are easily digestible that both parties can share in. Have you thought of funny works by the likes of Spike Milligan. How old are the people in the unit for a start. And how bad are the disabilities.

[emmie]

sad to say i have come across any number like that myself. They couldn't give a toss, just let the poor people get on with it. Where they should be helping and encouraging activities for the mind and body.

[Gavmacp]

They are adults with quite profound disabilities. But they have needs, desires, hopes, aspirations. There is one client who can speak who gets a lot of attention because he speaks. The other clients speak but in subtle ways that rely on people being interested.
Unfortunately I have found apathy in a lot of the places I have worked in and you had to adopt a task orientated attitude to get things done.
I am looking for communication tools that make people stop and think. Rather than just making lists that people sign to say they have been done.

[emmie]

confess i am trifle stuck, but if it's the staff that's the problem, how about a team talk. Do you head the unit?

[RATTER15]

Gavmap: >>Unfortunately the 'caring' profession is often full of people that do not care.<<

I totally agree, it often seems to me that so many staff are only employed in this type of work because they cant get work stacking shelves in the supermarket, as many have absolutely no interest in the work at all and fall sick every other weekend. True carers are like gold dust!

[Gavmacp]

No we have two managers who are rarely on the 'floor' (I hate that term).
We have a few staff nurses but rarely see each other. I believe that the deputy manager should be present for the afternoon handover as we appear to be like a captain less ship. I rely heavily on the support workers as a lot of my work is dispensing medicine that they give.

[tinkerbell23]

I seen a poster once, really made me think. It was of a baby born with downs syndrome, and had a caption about how the baby was happy and its basically adults who have the problem.

Just seen something on facebook there too ill go and look and see if i can post it for you ....xxx

[tinkerbell23]

Oh. Also gav....one guy i looked after once had a "passport" made up of what he likes and dosent like to eat, photos of his mum & dad, photos of him singing karaoke before he lost the ability to speak, what team he supported, what he does when he dosent want something......and i thought it was absolutley FANTASTIC! I always made sure it was sitting out on the bedside table...x

[cathfromsaron]

'does HE take sugar' attitudes? or talking over their heads and not asking THEM their wishes?

just an idea, why not have a photographic competition and hand out some digital cameras to service users to describe their own lives and preferences etc?

[TWR]

H Gavmacp, Been there seen the video ( NHS) if you have any problems with members of staff & their duties regards the Service Users, contact you house Manager with your concerns, do not take it upon yourself to confront staff members as you will come unstuck as I did. the Services Users do have the right to either be taken out or to watch TV that is their preference. Are the staff agency? the reason I ask this, we had problems with the Agency staff, all they wanted to do was to eat the Service Users food & do nothing else, just a hint, ask can you leave the Service Users Profiles on the Dinning table to see if any one want to see what the Service Users likes or dislikes, but take my tip Gavmacp, do not take it upon yourself otherwise you will be dis liked I can assure you.

[cathfromsaron]

yes, and complain or cause rumbles! how do they even pass inspections ...

[Baldric]

"Service Users".......don't ya just hate that phrase??

[TWR]

Cath, each Staff member should have been appointed as a key worker for a Service User, he / she should have tasks or daily appointments / jobs if pos for the service user, eg shopping, walks ( If pos) day centres & various other things mainly to get the Service User out of the House, I used to take ours car journeys, day centres, Lunch out, It sounds to me that the House leader in this house is not doing his / her job properly!!