Thread by @geotransversals

in the #DJNCovidForum and already in tears at this collective expression of what we are surviving through as immunocompromised and disabled people

"immunocompromised people cant afford to accept covid as part of our lives because we will die" @JuliaRoseBak

the deep grief of the loneliness and fear we are dealing with

the deep appreciation also of being able to come together online and share experiences and insight and of being here for one another

"we are a stubborn and resilient lot and our commitment to advocate for ourselves and others hasnt waivered" harry

being exposed to covid while seeking hospital care for unrelated medical conditions "this is a position that everyone that is immune compromised is having to deal with coming through... the workforce is pushed beyond their limits" harry

hadley talking about covid and pandemic fatigue, news inaccessible because captions are terrible and often no interpreter, no clarity for deaf community

@endlessyarning speaking on stress of not knowing if sickness is your disability or covid, lack of resources to their communities, no tests, "the colony's mission to make sure Bla(c)k people are disposable, colony's agenda to make sure Bla(c)k people are last"

"the pandemic is not breaking the healthcare system under covid just highlighting the gaps" ajar sana

jan speaking on how migrants accused of stealing resources, made worse when you have disabilities as govt reminds you that you have no rights and no access, chinese people accused of being a virus and experiencing violence and racism

sam grateful that they are no longer in a group home environment. terrified in this pandemic "what is going to happen to me" they need 24 hour support, so much neglect and lack of resources. fear of abandonment not unfounded

renay saying that pandemic reduced access to every kind of support for them and disabled family (but showed how loved they were in immediate family). as support workers get covid its even more strained

harry saying quality of care hugely decreasing, which is driving fear of disabled people, when immunecompromised person accesses care they have to question is this environment safe for me? the space of care is unsafe

this is not a new inequity but an expanding one, use this crisis point to push for fundamental systemic change

things that been helpful to disabled people "friends and community delivering food, prescriptions, medical items, RATs, gifts, cooking, loaning money and resources, telehealth, peer support from other disabled people, access to zoom and workshops online"

@endlessyarning left behind through structural inequalities, culturally safe care is hard to get, encouraging community building and talk about having compassion but seeing a lot of selfishness and lack of personal responsibility which affects access to support systems

ajar saying temporary residents dont get concession cards/ NDIS/ services australia, even for vaccine or healthcare only ppl with diagnoses can access supports, there are so many barriers that start with visa app where if you declare disability your visa can be denied

what does true solidarity and disability justice look like? jan says: system sends message that migrants unwanted and worse if disabled, solidarity recognising your privileges and standing together.

hadley: nondisabled people need to shut up, listen and watch people who are disabled. abolish policies, abolish what govt has done, centre community, allies unpack privileges and help make all spaces safer and more accessible. look on google

tori: abled people need to prioritise disabled voices, autonomy must be recognised. @JuliaRoseBak abled people got some glimpse of what its like to be immunocompromised and disabled during lockdown, but they are willing to sacrifice us to live the lives that are comfortable

doing things like going to festivals or large social events without caring about the longer impacts on whole populations its obvious how rampant ableism and eugenics are. what brings joy is community and relationships with other disabled people.

@endlessyarning need to burn down colony, give landback and prioritise Indigenous governance because this prioritises most vulnerable. tweet they wrote: "remember that disabled people have agency and we dont need you to save us, but listen and be in solidarity with us"

what disabled people want non-disabled people to know “take protective measure always, listen and don’t assume, disabled people are not all the same we have different access needs, put pressure on government to support us”

huge love and thanks to speakers, interpreters, to tori hobbs for faciliation and the @DisabilityJN for organising. this forum has been recorded and all resources will be made available after everyone rests. please follow the @DisabilityJN for more information and #DJNCovidForum