20/11/2024
Dear Diary,
I spent the day with C.
A pattern has begun to emerge.
We talked a lot.
& Listened to a CD they recorded 20 years ago. The music was easy going and open, like a breeze on a warm day.
C can't make music like that now.
Creativity is my engine and it was theirs.
I would combust without it.
I played music on the way home.
I have time off till Monday.
19/11/2024
Dear Diary,
I spent another day with C.
At the end of the shift we went to the chemist to get her prescription.
The chemist was about 200 meters from the car park.
Time slowed right down..
Each step for C is a consideration, how her arms are supported by the handles of the walker, how her feet make contact with the ground.
We get on very well C and I. We laugh a lot.
This work is not like work.
There are no KPI's, there is no task list, no computer to sit at, no tension coursing through me so viciously that I might throw up.
I listened to the news on the way home and heard that The High Court has ruled that a priest is not an employee of a church, therefore the institution is not liable to compensate their victims.
(tomorrow when I drive home I'll listen to some music)
18/11/2024
Dear Diary,
Today I did another five hour shift with C.
They had a bad night so stayed in bed the whole time I was there.
I made them cups of tea and brought them lunch.
We talked a lot and C shared their ongoing frustration about not being able to do anything around the house.
I offered to tidy up as if it were my house. Then I took the dog out for a walk.
They asked me to come again tomorrow.
They were super grateful for what I had done.
I said I was super grateful for the work and for their gratitude.
I listened to the news on the way home, Alan Jones has been arrested over allegations that he indecently assaulted young men.
17/11/2024
Dear Diary,
I updated my profile on the app again, because whilst I'd like to just cook great food for clients the overwhelming request is for social support, going shopping, and cups of tea and chats...
Bluesky is trending on twitter.. everyone jumping ship to be heard and seen on another platform - because if it's not on social media it doesn't exist right?
16/11/2024
Dear Diary,
No shifts today. Shame really because weekend rates are good.
Unexpected things: a friend and a family member reached out after they read the blog posts.
I signed up for another agency, interview pending.
I searched podcasts about NDIS - jeeps there are a lot - there's a lot to talk about..
I really wish I had more than one shift for next week. There's a few bills to pay and the time it takes to do a shift and get paid is long.
On the ap there is an offer to accept 'express pay,' at a fee, but the company is already taking 10%. I mean if I pay a fee and get paid quicker - then the money must be there right - so pay it straight to me - I've earned it.
When you log your hours there is an option to 'report an incident.' Not being paid feels like an incident to me.
Twitter is quiet about Trump choosing his henchmen today.
15/11/2024
Dear Diary,
Today I had another five hour shift with C.
I tidied up a bit, hung out some washing, drove her to the mall, where we drank a coffee together, then I drove her to her physio session.
C uses a walker round the house and an electric scooter when she's out.
The electric scooter is cumbersome to lift in and out of the car.
When we got to the physio place the electric scooter alarm sounded, indicating that there was an issue and it should not be used.
C rang her husband. He arrived and pressed the red lever. The alarm stopped.
To be honest I felt stupid and wished I had some training and or knowledge of mobility aids to assist C in a more efficient way.
I don't even have a first aid certificate. I'll get one - it seems negligent not to have it.
I sat outside for a while when I got home thinking about all the ways that anyone from anywhere could come into this kind of work.
Messages from the app on my phone today:
Donna needs help shopping.
Zoe needs help with her garden and meal prep.
Trump has 68 days to pick his team before inauguration day on Jan 20th. When I was a kid I really disliked musk sticks.. the flavour was odd and had no place in a kids lolly bag.
14/12/2024
Dear Diary,
Today I have my second shift with C.
It's like we are friends hanging out together for the day.
C's other carer was there.
The other carer has been doing this work for three years.
They gave me some advice about other platforms and agencies to try.
I asked them how they found it all, not getting sick pay or annual leave and having to pay their own super.
They said on balance it was about the same money they were getting in a corporate job. They quit that job because they had clumps of hair falling out from stress.
I 'worked for 5.5 hours today. Was relaxed, I played with C's dog Harry and dropped C off at a mall. C scooted off in their whizz bag wheelchair..
Was altogether a very relaxing day.. didn't feel like work at all.
I looked at Twitter for a while - Trump is assembling his cabinet. Some broken bits of crockery in there.
