NEWS DESK
Working towards accepting disability MORNINGTON Peninsula mother-of-three and business woman Julie Fisher ‘s heart-warming and honest book From the Heart of Mums is an emotional glimpse into living with disability. Fisher, whose son Darcy has Down syndrome, is passionate about raising awareness to increase inclusion and acceptance for people who live with a disability. “When you enter the world of disability with your child or anyone you care for, it can be a scary time of the unknown,” she said. “Your idea of what life was going to be like suddenly changes in an instant.” Fisher said that from the moment of discovering a child has a disability, even the language used by many doctors, nurses and practitioners can be cold and negative, leaving parents “feeling lost, lonely and empty”. “During this time of uncertainty, connecting with other families and sharing each other’s journeys provides you with the love and support you need to get through these difficult and unexpected times,” she said. In her book, Fisher shares 13 personal stories from mothers around the world of their lives with loved ones who live with Down syndrome. The book looks at how these mums navigated the path from diagnosis to the present day and how, with love and guidance, this new world of disability has led them into a world of support from people they never imagined possible. Fisher said the stories in From The Hearts of Mums show the true beauty of disability and how it “helps us all to shine”. Julie Fisher is also the author of The Unexpected Journey and The Magic of Inclusion where she shares her family's journey with their son Darcy. She said it was important to use language and behaviour that did not make people with Down syndrome feel excluded and allowed them to enjoy their day, just like everyone else. Fisher is passionate about helping families in the disability community and last year launched her first Local Disability Expo as well as her first Visions and Dreams Workshop. The expo will be held again later this year and she is working on her next workshop. Fisher regularly speaks publicly to help raise awareness and create more change makers in the community. In 2022 she released her first TedX Talk: No-one is Excluded with Inclusion. You can follow Fisher at facebook.com/theunexpectedjourneyLiz Bell book
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Frankston Times
25 April 2023
A mother’s story: Julie Fisher, with son Darcy, says inclusion and acceptance of people with Down syndrome comes from understanding the “true beauty” of disability.
Power bonus to ease cost of living pressure OVER 12,500 Frankston residents have so far received the state government’s $250 Power Saving Bonus. Billed as a way to ease the cost of living, the program encourages applicants find a better energy deal – with thousands of Victorians choosing to switch and save by changing their energy deal through the Victorian Energy Compare website. The Victorian Energy Compare website is an independent comparison website, making it easy for Victorians to find a cheaper offer and keeping big energy retailers in check. The Energy Assistance Program – a free service providing energy consumers experiencing hardship with one-on- one assistance – has helped over 500 applicants to navigate the energy market, apply for eligible grants and concessions, find and switch to better offers and address billing errors. Victorians can also save on their household energy bills through the $1.3 billion Solar Homes Program. Households that accessed both solar panel and hot water rebates saved up to $1,500 on their annual energy bill. Victoria has cut its emissions by more than any other state, tripled the amount of renewable energy and created thousands of jobs – but there is more to do, with an ambitious renewable energy target of 95 per cent by 2035. “We’re helping Victorians take more control over their energy bills and helping to bring down the cost of power, with our record investment in renewables and bringing back state owned government energy through the SEC,” said Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio. 00 jobs. To access the $250 Power Saving Bonus, visit compare.energy.vic.gov.au or call 1800 000 832. To speak to an Energy Assistance Program advocate, call 1800 161 215.