Just like coffee

Today is the day I've decided to come off coffee ...well coffee with caffeine. I'm not quite ready to rid myself of coffee altogether so have decided to try decaf. 

Stepping out of my comfort zone this morning, I placed my order for a decaf latte. 'Normal' milk the barista asked? Oh no no I quickly replied, I'm almond! 

In making my unfamiliar order I forgot to mention the kind of milk I like. 

Everyone in my family, including the 5 year old, knows mum has an almond latte extra hot (but only if it's Milk Lab!). Otherwise, it's a macadamia latte (I'll take any brand in that). Oh and sometimes it's half a shot but always extra hot. 

How on earth is is my family going to cope knowing I've added another element to my coffee order?!

I don't even consider myself a fussy coffee drinker but this morning as I placed my order I realised maybe I am! I'm now the decaf almond latte extra hot coffee drinker (but only if it's Milk Lab!)

Which brings to my point... we all have individual needs and differences. 

Be it our coffee choice or our need to navigate the world better.

I grapple with the concept of what it means to have individual needs (or special needs as is often called). My daughter's needs are described in this way and there is stigma around it. But we all have individual needs and I believe the more we acknowledge and talk about them the less negatively they are viewed and the more normal they become.

I have hearing loss and qualify for a hearing aid in my right ear. My individual need is to be sat at a table (or standing at a social event) so people are on my left side. 

Many individual differences that were once taboo or seemed just plain silly are widely accepted now days, including individuals who are gluten free, dairy free, celiac, anaphylactic or on the spectrum.

There have been significant advancements in mental health in the last 10 years, allowing people to be more open about their individual needs and differences and to normalise it.

Social movements around the acceptance and rights of the LGBTQ community have also come a long way, allowing people to express their individual needs and differences and to feel good about themselves.

Back Beach Rd is all about feeling comfortable on the inside, both literally and figuratively.

Along with a personal aspiration, Back Beach Rd is committed to helping families deal with the uncomfortableness surrounding disability and individual needs and aims to help remove the stigma associated with it.

Proud to be a little bit different, Back Beach Rd embraces uniqueness, individuality and encourages positive change.

Take the Bold, Bright, bRave road.