As with the previous year in 2018, I had what I thought was some realistic goals for 2019. But unfortunately, not all of these goals were quite achieved. Yet, it certainly wasn't from the lack of tying! I did try, believe me!
But it was always a constant battle, between what I wanted to write and what I had to write, which was the never-ending Reports, Submissions and Emails for various government departments, as the full-time Carer, Legal Guardian, Advocate and Administrator for all my Special Needs son's administrative and financial matters.
And, as with the previous year before, I had grand plans to start writing my 2nd (follow-up) book, about living with my son's autism, through his teenage years. But at least, I did eventually make a good start with that, this year, unlike the previous year, when we all know that didn't happen!
However, two years on from when I was first taken completely unaware of what lay ahead, with all the government forms and paperwork that I needed to fill in and submit, for my special needs son, when he turned 18 in 2017, I still found myself swamped with more forms and paperwork in 2019, as Matthew's Legal Guardian and Advocate, when I was faced with the annual Review of the N.D.I.S. in my ongoing fight to obtain the necessary funding for his well-being and lifestyle needs and requirements.
So, it seems, that year after year, while I am constantly required to "state my case" as to why I need to always advocate, and do certain things for my special needs son, who in the eyes of the Law, is an adult - yet he is an adult with as child's mind, which requires me, as his mother and as his full-time Carer, to also be his Legal Guardian and Administrator for all his financial affairs: my plans to write about these issues in my follow-up books about living with and raising a young boy through his teenage years and into his adult years, seems to always be "put on hold" yet again, while I continue to deal with the huge volume of paperwork and bureaucracy - known simply as the N.D.I.S. Nightmare, just to apply for and "state my case" as to why I needed certain supports for my young adult son, was nothing short of a nightmare, to put it mildly.
And this is without even touching on the unforeseen circumstances that unexpectedly occurred in 2017 and which has continued to cause me mental despair and physical exhaustion, which has been relentless for the past two years, but for now that shall remain as another story, for another time.
Meanwhile, my book and article writing has suffered the most, as it continues to slip further and further behind...
However, all is not completely lost, as I've mentioned in previous blogs over the years.
Because, whilst I have been writing endless reports and submissions, as well as filling in all those repetitive government forms, I have been able to re-use most of these ramblings, in what I hope to one day achieve as the future material I need to eventually write my follow-up books about autism - from a mother's perspective!
That is, of course, if I ever do get the time to write, without always being snowed under with the never-ending government paperwork, which is the N.D.I.S. ; Q.C.A.T., and whatever else I need to "state my case" as Matthew's full-time Carer, Advocate and Legal Guardian for all his administrative and financial matters.
So, while it may appear that I have been quiet on here and have not blogged very much about my writing, please don't let that mislead you into thinking that I have not done any writing at all - in fact - it has been the complete opposite!
I have been constantly writing, writing and writing, all of which I have kept dozens of pages of print-out copies - for future writing reference.
So, as this year of 2019 fast comes to a close and the New Year of 2020 approaches, just as fast, and which will probably go just as fast, before most of us are even ready for it, let's hope that I can be given some actual writing time next year, so that I might be able to get back to what I love to do most, and that is to write...
Happy New Year for 2020 everyone and may the New Year be a little kinder to those of us who find the years are always going by way too fast...
With Gratitude and Appreciation.
Yours in Writing
(c) Heather Golding - Author
Posted: 31st December 2019
But it was always a constant battle, between what I wanted to write and what I had to write, which was the never-ending Reports, Submissions and Emails for various government departments, as the full-time Carer, Legal Guardian, Advocate and Administrator for all my Special Needs son's administrative and financial matters.
And, as with the previous year before, I had grand plans to start writing my 2nd (follow-up) book, about living with my son's autism, through his teenage years. But at least, I did eventually make a good start with that, this year, unlike the previous year, when we all know that didn't happen!
However, two years on from when I was first taken completely unaware of what lay ahead, with all the government forms and paperwork that I needed to fill in and submit, for my special needs son, when he turned 18 in 2017, I still found myself swamped with more forms and paperwork in 2019, as Matthew's Legal Guardian and Advocate, when I was faced with the annual Review of the N.D.I.S. in my ongoing fight to obtain the necessary funding for his well-being and lifestyle needs and requirements.
So, it seems, that year after year, while I am constantly required to "state my case" as to why I need to always advocate, and do certain things for my special needs son, who in the eyes of the Law, is an adult - yet he is an adult with as child's mind, which requires me, as his mother and as his full-time Carer, to also be his Legal Guardian and Administrator for all his financial affairs: my plans to write about these issues in my follow-up books about living with and raising a young boy through his teenage years and into his adult years, seems to always be "put on hold" yet again, while I continue to deal with the huge volume of paperwork and bureaucracy - known simply as the N.D.I.S. Nightmare, just to apply for and "state my case" as to why I needed certain supports for my young adult son, was nothing short of a nightmare, to put it mildly.
And this is without even touching on the unforeseen circumstances that unexpectedly occurred in 2017 and which has continued to cause me mental despair and physical exhaustion, which has been relentless for the past two years, but for now that shall remain as another story, for another time.
Meanwhile, my book and article writing has suffered the most, as it continues to slip further and further behind...
However, all is not completely lost, as I've mentioned in previous blogs over the years.
Because, whilst I have been writing endless reports and submissions, as well as filling in all those repetitive government forms, I have been able to re-use most of these ramblings, in what I hope to one day achieve as the future material I need to eventually write my follow-up books about autism - from a mother's perspective!
That is, of course, if I ever do get the time to write, without always being snowed under with the never-ending government paperwork, which is the N.D.I.S. ; Q.C.A.T., and whatever else I need to "state my case" as Matthew's full-time Carer, Advocate and Legal Guardian for all his administrative and financial matters.
So, while it may appear that I have been quiet on here and have not blogged very much about my writing, please don't let that mislead you into thinking that I have not done any writing at all - in fact - it has been the complete opposite!
I have been constantly writing, writing and writing, all of which I have kept dozens of pages of print-out copies - for future writing reference.
So, as this year of 2019 fast comes to a close and the New Year of 2020 approaches, just as fast, and which will probably go just as fast, before most of us are even ready for it, let's hope that I can be given some actual writing time next year, so that I might be able to get back to what I love to do most, and that is to write...
Happy New Year for 2020 everyone and may the New Year be a little kinder to those of us who find the years are always going by way too fast...
With Gratitude and Appreciation.
Yours in Writing
(c) Heather Golding - Author
Posted: 31st December 2019