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Sarah Butler is a great advocate for her rights and the rights of others. She has overcome many challenges, and despite her neurodiversity and epilepsy, has a achieved a lot in her life. She likes music and community events, she serves on the board of a community organisation and is involved in co-producing research.
The following is based on a book chapter by Sarah from Enabling Narratives: The Untold Stories of People with Disabilities, Their Families and Carers - An English and Persian Anthology.
Journey towards the Jab
When I heard about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in 2021, I felt happy and good. There was an announcement that people who were at high risk would be able to get an early vaccine.
I planned to get my vaccine around 19th April 2021. I contacted all the Pfizer hubs in Sydney including Liverpool, RPA and Westmead hospital, but no one would assist. I then called GP medical practices, no one there could assist either and I was advised to get vaccinated at a hospital. I went to the GP to get a referral to prove that I was at high risk and I was eligible for an early vaccine. The referral sent to Westmead and RPA, but neither of them contacted me to acknowledge that my referral has been received. I spoke to my support worker about getting a vaccine and who asked me which one I would like to have. They said if there were enough participants interested, she would include me in Phase 1A of the rollout but suggested that I have a plan B just in case.
I called the Canberra Hospital in the ACT on the 7th of April 2021. I was transferred through to the clinic. A staff member at the clinic registered me and asked me questions and after she wrote down all the details, she asked me when I wanted an appointment. The reception said that I can do both 2:00pm and 3:00pm. Would you like to book you in for 3:00pm, just in case? I replied – “Yes please”.
My support worker came and picked me up from my home at 9:45am and we then made our way to Canberra.
On May 10th the support worker picked me up again and we travelled to Canberra to have my second dose of the vaccine.
While it had been a positive experience and outcome, I was really disappointed that Liverpool, RPA and Westmead Hospitals in Sydney had the same vaccine but didn’t book me an appointment. The Canberra hospital and the ACT COVID-19 clinic at the vaccination site had been very generous and supportive to assist me to have an early COVID-19 vaccine. Without their support I would not have been able to get an early vaccine and as a result I would still have been spending most days at home and attending all events and meetings online via zoom.