The Scene

Issue 4, 6 March 2006

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Features

Life After School
Parents of teenagers with CP are well aware that this period brings with it new challenges and opportunities. There are life choices, which you and your child are no doubt beginning to consider in relation to their independence, education and career options.

The Spastic Centre will be holding ‘Life after School’ information session for teenagers, parents and service providers throughout March:

Saturday 11 March - 1.30pm to 4.30pm at The Northcott Society
(1 Fennell Street, North Parramatta)

Thursday evening 16 March - 7pm to 9pm at The Marconi Centre
(The Spastic Centre, 224 Restwell Road, Prairiewood)

Saturday 25 March - 2pm to 4pm at Eden Gardens
(301 Lane Cove Road, North Ryde – Crn of Lane Cove & Fontenoy Roads)

More details...

Parents

A Tea and Coffee Group for Mums and Dads
‘The Little Teapot’ is an informal coffee group for mums and dads of kids with additional needs. The groups will be held once a month in lovely garden centre cafes around Sydney.

As parents of kids with additional needs, sometimes a little more support and understanding is needed. Other parents in similar situations can create great support networks for each other, as they share an understanding of the challenges faced. This group is for all parents of children with additional needs, however it is open to anyone who feels they will benefit. Children are most welcome. Although there is no childcare provided, safe, child-friendly venues have been carefully selected.

The first Wednesday of every month The Little Teapot will be at North Ryde and the second Wednesday of every month it will be at Enfield - both beginning at 10am.

For more information, please contact the CP helpline on 1300 30 29 20.

Separation and Divorce
Helping separated and divorced parents is the theme of a useful series of booklets from the Australian Child Support Agency:
- Me, My Kids and My Ex - offers suggestions on developing a workable relationship with the other parent; dealing with the negative games parents play following separation, and establishing parenting time arrangements that meet the needs of parents and children.
- Me and My Kids - practical ideas on developing and maintaining relationships with your kids after separation; in particular for parents who spend much of their time away from their children.
- What About Me? - helps separated parents deal with emotional issues such as stress, anxiety, with suggestions and resources for dealing with them.
- Me and My Money - addresses the challenges that arise around money issues following separation. Including hints and tips on stretching your dollar further, making informed consumer choices, and good money habits to share with your kids.

Find the booklets at https://www.csa.gov.au/publications/

Promoting Resilience in Your Child
Resilience refers to an individual’s ability to prevent, minimize or overcome the damaging affects of trauma or adversity. It gives a person the capacity to face adversity, and even be strengthened by the traumas in life that we all inevitably face.

The International Resilience Project found that some of the most common adversities that children face include: death of parents and grandparents, divorce or separation of parents, illness, moving away from family or friends, robbery and having a family member with a disability. Some insights into building resilience in your child can be found in a new article on the e-bility website. See the e-bility website for Promoting Resilience in Your Child

Multicultural

Ahiida Swim Clothes
Ahiida® is an Australian owned company with garments that are designed with respect to Islamic values. This is of particular interest to mothers wanting modest swimwear in order to practise a hydrotherapy program with their child.

The fabric is light and will not interfere with the filtration system of public pools. It is made of chlorine resistant materials, suitable for pools, spas etc.

The owner, Ahiida, can be contact on 0425 310 919 and she will give a 30% discount to parents who mention 'The Spastic Centre'. Further details on the Ahiida website.

Out and About

Beach Accessible Wheelchairs & Pools in the Hunter
A few ideas while the weather is still warm...

Newcastle Ocean Bath has two submergible wheelchairs for use in the pool. Just ask the staff and they will provide you with the key to the storage area where the chairs are located.

Stockton Beach Tourist Caravan Park has one all terrain wheelchair for use on the sand only. It is not suitable for use in the water. Access to the beach is via the ramp at Stockton. The ramp can be accessed via the caravan park. You will need to book the chair in advance, and sign to use chair.

Lambton heated pool has a wheelchair, hoist and accessible toilets.

Balance Fitness Club at Phoenix Club has a hoist but no chairs. The hoist can be moved from main pool to a small heated pool for people with disabilities. They also run swimming lessons for children with disabilities.

[Source: Hunter Disability e-News]

Lyric Theatre At Star City Casino Proactive Ticketing Policy For People Disabilities
Concession tickets are now available to shows at the Lyric Theatre, Star City Casino, for people with physical disabilities who require wheelchair spaces/seating.

Ticket prices will be charged at the lowest concessional rate of the lowest price category. You do not need to be a concession cardholder to purchase the lowest price ticket. The category will be in direct relation to the person’s physical disability as mentioned above. The discount will not only apply to a person with disabilities companion/partner/carer etc, but to all people in their group. The other good news is that concessional tickets will be available for the peak periods of Friday and Saturday nights. The discount on the concessional rate will vary depending on the number of price categories for each show.

Tickets for people disabilities need to be purchased through the Lyric Theatre Box Office of which the Ticketek contract is being taken over by Ticketmaster7. The Lyric Theatre Ticketmaster7 Box Office contact is 02 9657 8480.

Travel

Samburu Safari – Kenya
Gordon Rattray’s motto is that "true experience begins when we break out of our routines". An avid traveller, and a person with quadriplegia, he has documented his adventures and travel itineries on his website at Able Travel, as a resource for other people with spinal cord injuries. Kenya is his most recent trip and also included time to explore Nairobi, Lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve and Mombasa.

Read about Gordon's trip to Kenya on the e-bility website or for more information, contact Gordon via his website.

Sport

Sailability Manly
People with any disabilities and their carers are welcome to try this enjoyable sport, in specially constructed boats with volunteer crews. A sausage sizzle ($2) completes the day. Sailors must wear a hat that stays on, good sunscreen and water to drink. Sailability provides the life jackets.

Meet at The Manly Yacht Club, East Esplanade, Manly, on alternate Saturdays, with the next regular days being 18 March, 1 and 29 April, with the picnic and race day on 13 May. Volunteers should arrive at 9am, sailors from 9:45am. Usually finish at 1pm, with packing up by 2pm. Cost is only $5 per session or $25 for a season.

To sail, book at least 24 hours ahead by phoning Eli on 02 9976 2747.

Technology

Techassist – NSW Trial
TechAssist is a fantastic five-month NSW trial for people who use assistive computer technology at work, at their educational institution or at home. TechAssist aims to provide immediate online support and training, eg. technical support when a device or program is not working properly; expert advice about new options, demonstrated to you on your own computer.

The TechAssist pilot project is funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training. It is being implemented by Ability Technology, a not-for-profit organisation with extensive experience in assisting people in using assistive computer technology.

The project aims to give educators, employers, disability services and people with a disability access to a range of professional advice. It will also be gathering data to argue for the establishment of a permanent support service in this area. The ‘TechAssist’ pilot project for NSW will run until May 2006.

For more information contact Ability Technology on 02 9907 9770.

Legal

New Legal Service To Support People With A Disability
An innovative partnership between Hunter Charity Life Activities and Newcastle Law Firm, Stacks Goudkamp is making access to legal advice for people with a disability a little easier. Life Activities is working with Stacks Goudkamp to provide a free advisory service which will be designed specifically for people living with a disability, their carers and families.

The new service will provide a channel for people to be heard in a pressure-free environment by sympathetic and supportive advisors. The advisory service runs every Wednesday. To make an appointment call 02 4914 5999.

[Source: Hunter Disability e-News]

Websites

Life Changes
Change can be a 'crunch' time. Separation from a partner, job loss or the illness or death of a loved one can all feel overwhelming. Even positive changes, like a new relationship or new job, can be challenging. The Better Health Channel has an excellent section on Life Changes, with factsheets and tips on managing relationships, making friends, conflict pressures, parenting, separation, grief and loss, depression and the work/family balance.

View the Life Changes section on the Better Health website.

Research

Infection in the Premature Infant as a Cause of Cerebral Palsy
Two recent studies present evidence suggesting that inflammation of the placenta alone is insufficient to produce cerebral palsy in the premature infant. Neither addresses potential effects of inflammation elsewhere in the mother nor in the postpartum infant. Kaukola and her colleagues observed that the combination of inflammation and placental defects were predictive of cerebral palsy.

A new UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) research factsheet discusses these studies. View Infection in the Premature Infant as a Cause of Cerebral Palsy.

Service Providers

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare recently hosted a forum on the International Classification of
Functioning and Health. Distinguished speakers included Dr Bedirhan Üstün, WHO Secretariat Co-ordinator, World Health Organization and Dr Rune Simeonsson, University of North Carolina (US).

Papers are now available on the AIHW website and include a number of presentations on the practical application of the ICF for research, surveillance and reporting.

New NSW Disability Services Ten Year Plan
The NSW Minister for Disability Services, the Hon John Della Bosca, has announced his intention to establish a small expert advisory group to provide advice on the development of a ten-year disability services plan. The plan will attempt to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of funding to disability services in NSW. In particular, the Minister said the plan would:
- Make it fairer and easier to access services;
- Link services to need;
- Assist people to stay at home;
- Provide more options for people requiring out of home support; and
- Develop a sustainable care system.

The position paper on accommodation and support services for people with disability has now been finalised and was released by the Minister recently. The position paper outlines the framework for the establishment of a new accommodation support system to provide for access to accommodation and support services for people who currently receive these services and to allow for greater access for people who do not current have access to the support system.

It is acknowledged in the paper that detailed work needs to be undertaken in the areas of eligibility criteria, assessment, ways to improve in home support, approaches to packaging support services, ways out of home support can be provided and a timeframe for implemented. It is envisaged that these elements will be components of the 10-year plan.

View the Accommodation and Support Paper on the DADHC website.
[Source: PWD Bulletin]

Presenting the Evidence: Accommodation and Support for People with Disability
The Institute for Family Advocacy and Leadership Development has released a new report on accommodation and support for people with disability, entitled ‘Presenting the Evidence’. The report examines Australian and international literature on key issues in the provision of support services including: cost and effectiveness; staffing; supporting people with challenging behaviour; supporting people with complex health needs; and self management of funds.

For further information, please contact Family Advocacy on 02 9869 1710 or email familyadvocacy@family-advocacy.com

[Source: PWD Bulletin]

Physiotherapy Exercises for People with Spinal Cord Injury and Other Neurological Conditions
The Physiotherapy Website Project Team, headed by Dr Lisa Harvey of the Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney, was recently awarded the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards Gold Medal for developing a website that enables physiotherapists to find exercises appropriate to the specific needs of patients. It provides an educational resource to junior therapists treating patients with spinal cord injuries and other types of neurological injuries, by harnessing the ideas of those more experienced, and a means by which to generate professional, customised exercise booklets for patients' individual needs.

The website has 476 exercises and 21 video clips. Soon, 150 exercises appropriate for children will be added, and funding is being sought to add exercises appropriate for patients with other neurological disabilities (particularly for stroke). View Physiotherapy Exercises for People with Spinal Cord Injury and Other Neurological Conditions.

[Source: GMTT Newsletter 15/02/2006]

Posture24.com – An Online Resource for Posture Management
Posture24.com provides an online resource for people with interest in Posture Management for people with disabilities, based on an information-sharing format. Visit www.posture24.com/

Conferences .. Workshops .. Forums

Aids and Equipment Mini-Expo
28 March 2006, Campbelltown

A Mini-Expo is being held by the Families in Partnership Co-operative to raise awareness of the different options for people who have a disability and their families for aids and equipment. The Expo is on 28 March 2006 at the Campbelltown Catholic Club from 10am to 1pm and entry is free.

The day will highlight the activities of the Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD) and how it can assist people in modifying equipment or developing aids to meet people’s specific situation. The Program of Appliances for Disabled People (PADP) will be explained, along with how people can make an application.

Telstra will be on hand to showcase its communication equipment for people who have a disability, and local rehabilitation services will show the equipment they are able to provide, from wheelchairs to personal care aids. The Independent Living Centre and Macarthur Community Options will have an information stand.

For more information contact Families in Partnership on 02 4648 1593 or 0400 481 520.

Sexuality and Disability Workshops
April 2006 - Coffs Harbour | May 2006 - Newcastle

This two day workshop is designed to review sexuality and relationships from ‘first principles’. The aim is to enhance the capacity, enjoyment and quality of life for people living with a disability (developmental or acquired [intellectual, physical], single or dual/triple diagnoses). This is a ‘first-line’ level workshop suitable for professionals who are new to the field or for those who want to revisit the issues and to share ideas and strategies with others in the field.

The topics are consistent with Dept of Education and DoCS policies and strategies and the facilitator is an experienced and qualified psychologist/educator/coach. Early bookings are essential. (Other venues available by negotiation – NSW, Vic, Qld, SA.)

Each workshop is from 9am to 4.30 pm
· Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 April 2006 at Coffs Harbour (CHGC)
· Thursday 25 and Friday 26 May 2006 at Newcastle (LMYC)

For further information and/or an application form contact Reet on 0412 157 421 or email lifeworks@bravo.net.au

The Right to the Right Health Care
15-17 November 2006

Evidence, ethics and health in people with developmental disability Annual National Health Conference jointly organised by the Centre for Developmental Disability Studies, The University of Sydney and Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine. The conference will be held from 15 to 17 November 2006 at SMC Conference Centre (Sydney Masonic Centre), 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney.

Proposed symposia topics include:
· Paediatric psychiatry
· Dementia screening, assessment & management
· Alternative and complementary therapies
· Spasticity and movement disorders
· Update of syndromes
· Psychotropic medications
· Sleep disorders

For further information or to place your name on a mailing list to receive the conference registration brochure, please email tonyharman@med.usyd.edu.au.

For Sale

Newton Brand Self Propelled Wheelchair
The chair is:
· Self propelling
· Slung Upholstery
· 42cm x 42cm seat
· 42cm back rest
· Flip up foot plates
· Collapsible
· Suitable for person weighing 58-60kg (teenager or smaller person).
· Chair weighs approximately 13.5 kg

The wheelchair is located at Penrith/St Clair and the asking price is $95.00 negotiable. To arrange an inspection phone Geoff on 02 96704154 or email gmoo9830@bigpond.net.au.

Otto Bock Kinder Stroller
The stroller is in original (near new) condition.

Lightweight, fully adjustable and collapsible, headrest, thoracic belt, lateral support. Detachable table. From ages 3-8.

Was $5000.
Asking $500.

Please phone Monique 0421 011 483. (Homebush area).

Toyota Hiace Van
1991 model with ramp.White, manual, new motor, mag wheels, towbar. Few months rego left.

$7500 or near offer. Phone Allan 0412 124 012.

Also... 5'x4' box trailer - suitable for wheelchair. $200.

PDF (print-friendly version) of this issue of The Scene.

What would you like to see in "The Scene"? Email Robyn Cummins Information Manager at The Spastic Centre if you would like to contribute any ideas, advise of any future events or know of any websites that might be of interest to others.

Disclaimer
Opinions expressed in items of The Scene are the individual opinions of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of The Spastic Centre or the editors. Products and companies featured in The Scene are not necessarily endorsed by The Spastic Centre. The Scene is intended to be informative only and should not be relied on as medical or other technical advice on any matter. The Spastic Centre and editor take no responsibility for the information published in this newsletter or any person's actions in reliance on that information.