Three weeks since I officially, starting my PhD at Flinders University and I that my progress has been slow yet steady. Among getting my head around what are systematic literature reviews, finding my way the university’s website and library search portal, reading up whatever I find on the net about doing a PhD and trying to get back into a rhythm of working each day, I also met with my supervisor and the Disability Adviser the other week to start to look at the support I require to do the PhD. In time Mr. Doubt has come to visit already on numinous occasions, as expected but I have managed to boot him out the door fairly quickly. I am expecting him to return quite often throughout this trip making it an interesting ride indeed.
The support side of the project, unfortunately no matter how I play down my disability, is a large part of the things I need to manage that most doing a PhD do not have to deal. Meeting with them two to start to sort the support it hit me how important it. The old balancing trick between disability focus and “play it ‘normal.’” As much you would like play down the disability side of thing and not let it come the focus, there are times when it is necessary to do so. Finding the right person to be my study support worker is going to be a challenge yet with prayer I know the right people will show at the right time.