Living in a pandemic

22 April 2020

22 Apr 2020

Iso, WFH, the ‘Rona’, Social Distancing… months ago these would have sounded foreign to most. Now, they’re part of our day-to-day language.

And as we all come to terms with the new ‘normal’; everyone’s experiences are so very different. For many people with disabilities and their loved ones, the fear surrounding COVID-19 has been amplified. Whether it’s health risks, limited access to support or social restrictions, no one is concern-free.

Here, VMCH Communications Officer (Community and Disability Services) Phin Meere shares his experience living through the pandemic.

“As a person with a disability, I am constantly thinking about what adjustments to my lifestyle I need to make to stay healthy and free of Coronavirus. I feel lucky that I don’t have a disability that puts me at greater risk of contracting the illness than anyone else. However, there are measures many people take that I struggle to do.

I live alone but need support workers to help me with domestic duties, shopping, meal preparation and cooking. I am reliant on them to be healthy, keep good hygiene and be virus-free. This (their visits) puts me at greater risk but I need them so I can live independently.

We are supposed to wipe down surfaces around the home as these can inadvertently spread the virus. I struggle to do this physically and also due to poor eyesight.

I am also worried about what will happen to me if I need to self-isolate and forego my support. As a precaution I have arranged for priority access to food delivery and registered for a government-funded care package.

I also have other non-disability related adjustments to my life to consider. Living alone, I’m at greater risk of social isolation, so I am contacting people virtually and restricting visiting my parents who are in their 70s. I keep a daily routine of exercise, grabbing a takeaway coffee and giving friendly greetings to the few people I encounter on the streets.

Despite these challenges, I am hopeful that I will remain healthy and not contract Coronavirus.”

For more information (including Easy Read and Auslan) about COVID-19 and what you can do to look after yourself, click here.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.