It is early Saturday morning, and today is Community Access Day — the day I get out and about in the community with Bodie.
Today, we are heading to Newcastle for lunch at KFC. We will travel via Freeman’s Waterhole and return the same way, taking a short break along the way, as we usually do when we head up towards the Hunter area. It is always an enjoyable drive, with music playing in the car and plenty of conversation along the way. We often talk about how my week has been, the things I have been dealing with, and how his week has gone as well.
I always enjoy getting out and about with Bodie. He is now the longest-serving support worker I have had, and throughout that time, I have never experienced any issues with him, which is something I really appreciate.
This has actually been a pleasant surprise for me, as I have previously found that some of the younger support workers can struggle due to a lack of experience. Things such as not listening properly, not understanding my needs, or not adapting activities and routines to accommodate someone who uses a wheelchair can make things difficult. I have never experienced those problems with Bodie. He understands how to work with me, listens to what I have to say, and adapts things when necessary, which makes a significant difference.
I genuinely enjoy the time we spend together, whether we are going for a drive, heading to the movies, running errands, or simply getting out of the house and doing something different. Having someone I am comfortable with makes these community outings much more enjoyable.
For now, it is almost time for me to have a shower and get ready for the day. It is approaching 7:00 am, and the temperature is currently just 2.7°C. It is absolutely freezing this morning, although that is hardly surprising given that we are well into winter.
There is also some rain expected to start later next week. I actually enjoy rainy weather, although it can make things a little more difficult because I cannot get out and about independently as easily when the weather is poor.
That is enough from me for now. I will share another update later tonight or tomorrow. I am also planning to write a post about some of my current and upcoming projects, so there will be more to come.
For now, it is time to get ready and enjoy the day.
Note: written with the help of ChatGPT
