Disability
God is capricious, arbitrary and callous when it comes to inflicting tragic disabilities on his/her creatures.
The question is whether our community is willing to come alongside the victims and their carers and make things better, or whether we, like God, could care less.
In a wealthy community such as ours, there is no excuse for leaving those with life-long serious debilitation to do-it-yourself, hand-to-mouth, care plans.
Continue reading "Dignified disability scheme is paramount" »
Yesterday was personally one of the toughest days I have had since I was elected to the Senate. It ended with me confronting a demon which I have lived with for 48 years.
That demon is that I have a specific learning disability, which means I’m not always the best public speaker or speller.
This is something which I don’t like talking about as it cuts pretty deep. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me; rather I more want people to understand who I am and how you can still be successful even if you have problems articulating yourself.
Continue reading "Lost for words: my secret battle with language" »
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Bitten says:
@Nicholas James - I’m not sure that your response really addresses my question at all. Do you think it did? I didn’t specifically target Senator Fielding, my question related to all politicians. When they slip up, all of them seem to wring their hands and claim that they’re only human… Read more »
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Paul says:
my one question Steve, is do you read all the bills etc that come your way? or do you have to have someone read it out to you. Because in my opinion, you shouldnt be in the position your in unless you understand EXACTLY what your doing, and I don’t… Read more »
Christian Senator Steven Fielding is copping a day of derision after he tried to clarify his position on fiscal policy with a read-my-lips clanger. Asked this morning whether he’d in fact said “physical” when he meant “fiscal” the Family First Senator spelt it out: “I will make it quite clear…F..I..S..K..A..L.”
His disastrous impromptu spelling bee drew giggles from the press pack and a wave of ridicule across the digital space with punters declaring him more idiot than idiot savant.
But Fielding’s explanation as to how the gaffe happened - where he revealed a lifelong learning difficulty - is worth thinking about. He told Fairfax Radio that he only got 29 out of 100 for English, but 99 out of 100 for maths, and studied both engineering and an MBA at uni.
Continue reading "Fiscal impediment may mask a beautiful mind" »
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Peter Carnovale says:
Migrants are required to pass an English test in order to obtain their citizenship, shouldn’t Senator Steve Fielding have the appropriate qualifications to enter parliament and reason in English, how does he arrive at most of his decisions? Read more »
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Paul says:
Why, if you had a learning disability that causes you to spell words incorrectly, and on ocassion use the wrong word, would you in a smart arse gesture (to an annoying reorter, sure) attempt to spell the word that you previously stuffed up. Idiocy is a leaning disability. Read more »
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