Jess Cochran (they/them)

Jess, 32, Melbourne. Sharing my experiences with mental health, chronic illness and disability. I fight to give a voice to those who need it most.

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@hereistash Visiting the Disability Pride Wall the other day.

[Sam Connor @criprights]

Please sign this URGENTLY to make sure that disabled people are safe. The changes planned under this NDIS Amendment Bill are dangerous and proposed amendments don't go far enough.
https://t.co/e9eQYc2AEx

Here is a list of reasons why we need to make sure this Bill doesn't pass:

[Sam Connor @criprights]

The federal government have quietly defunded more than 170 disability not for profits with less than five weeks notice. Many are closing their doors for good.

Foundational supports though.

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@criprights Due to some intense challenges recently I’ve been quite out of the loop unfortunately at an extremely crucial time. Can someone provide some further context as to what actions have been made towards LE advocates just so I can be prepared and informed.

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

No matter what myself, my colleagues and our community will continue to advocate for our rights under the UNCRPD. It’s our only choice when dangerous & horrifying changes to NDIS continue to be pushed without true co-design & guidance with LE advocates & disability community

[Sam Connor @criprights]

There is great pressure right now on disabled people, especially those in leadership positions, to shut the hell up about the cuts to the NDIS.

I will be speaking out with others as I always have - within the boundaries of law, representing community views, frankly & fearlessly.

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@criprights Do you have a link to the study by any chance? My biochem loving ND friend would love this!

[Sam Connor @criprights]

Attending the DSC #WTFH conference tomorrow, and I have QUESTIONS.

Here are some of them.

On the NDIS, broader proposed disability and mental health system/s and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission -

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@criprights - Don’t decline a complex home mods request for a full time wheelchair user who currently can’t access their shower, toilet, front door, kitchen, laundry etc.
- don’t deny us the right to choose our SW’s! My sole trader who doesn’t have prior training is the BEST I’ve ever had

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@HowtoADHD I definitely think Leaning in to Strengths, acknowledging, learning about, celebrating or being more aware and giving space for that naturally segues to the fulfilling life part and building that

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@_Nic_Lee @Jen_Hargrave Congratulations to both of you! It’s so great to see your tireless work recognised

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book!

[Jessica McCabe @HowtoADHD]

It’s here!!! BOOK RELEASE DAY! 🥳
You can now ORDER my book here: https://howtoadhdbook or if you’re in Seattle, pick up a copy in person at @ElliottBayBooks (where I’ll also be doing a book signing this Thursday at 7pm)!

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@_Nic_Lee Thank you for all your hard and tireless work. I’m so appreciative for all you’ve done during these challenging and frankly terrifying times.

[Sam Connor @criprights]

Fantastic as we meet with fellow activists, advocates, people with disability and parents, one chunk at a time. We are like an avalanche, gradually gathering traction and escalating with power and a resounding NO to the NDIS changing in ways we don't want.

#NDISReview

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@MeanderingPark Another point is that to move to self managed you have to go through a review, planning meeting or Change of Situation meeting. Those things in themselves are highly stressful and hold the very real risk of essential funds being drastically cut even if someone needs an increase

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@MeanderingPark And cost of letters & reports either eating funds that people may not be able to sacrifice or have in the first place. Which then costs several times that of the item itself. I recently needed letter for a commode, the costs for OT was 4x the cost of the commode!

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@MeanderingPark @KelpieUnicorns 2/2 despite having all that info evidence & having paid for them for years before asking questions. I had to desperately seek help from community when Dietician couldn’t find any due to COVID causing shortages. Another tubie saved me donating some as they’d changed brand.

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@MeanderingPark @KelpieUnicorns 1/2 I want to move to self managed, despite having no spoons. The increasing amount of issues with Plan Manager have left without my enteral feed several times due to the “miscommunication“, months delay paying provider & suddenly asking a million questions about my feeds

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@hereistash I am so sorry I missed this post, I haven’t been on socials much. Please feel free to reach out to me in the future if you need any advice, guidance etc (ps. Don’t worry if you don’t remember. I thought I’d just prompt that I’m happy to help)

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@Brocklesnitch Wow boobs?!?!
Is that really the only way they feel us plus sized femme, AFAB models are cast? If so, given my recent mastectomy it looks like I can kiss my modelling career goodbye.
It’s gross that the long overdue authentic rep of diversity in fashion is now a Carnie fest??

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@JessHealyWalton What the actual heck? I’m a disabled, plus size, ND, queer model in Melb and use a wheelchair and have feeding tube etc. I can only imagine the nightmarish field day they’d have had if I’d done MFW.

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

@EveRogers83 @NDIS Oh god I’m so sorry they’ve put you through so much for such a long time

[Jess Cochran (they/them) @jessiejay1990]

THIS! @NDIS turned down essential home modifications because apparently it isn’t essential or cost effective for a wheelchair user to have access to their shower, toilet and many areas of my home. The impacts on my wellbeing, functioning and safety to name a few are indescribable

[Gregory Mansfield @GHMansfield]

Accommodation and access do not provide an advantage to disabled people.
They level the playing field by addressing barriers, discrimination and exclusion.