The Scene

Issue 15, 3 September 2007

Back to The Spastic Centre

Features

Nothing is Impossible
In 1986, co-founder Neil McLeod, wrote the story of The Spastic Centre's first 40 years. Never before published, 'Nothing is Impossible' celebrates the rich history of the organisation – which was the first of its kind in the world. The book follows the development of The Centre from a loaned house in Mosman, New South Wales, to a school, therapy services, hostel, Centre Industries at Allambie Heights, and beyond. To preserve the provenance of the history, the original manuscript has been reproduced intact. The book will be of enormous interest to the many people who have played a part in this remarkable organisation.

You can download the book in chapters for free or if you would like to purchase a printed copy of the book for $30 (including postage) you can download the chapters or the order form from the Nothing Is Impossible page on The Spastic Centre's website.

Perspectives in Print 2007
Perspectives in Print 2007 is now available on The Spastic Centre’s website. The exhibition showcases the photographic talents of children and adults with cerebral palsy. Using their cameras, they portray their view of a world that often judges on appearance rather than ability. Their photographic subjects cover friends, hobbies and animals. Entrants either took the photos themselves or directed others to capture their idea.

Jess Irwin, who now works for patron Ken Duncan after her entry in last year’s exhibition, has captured the spirit of the project in a speech, the transcript of which is also available on the Perspectives in Print page of the website.

Parents

Dads Only Telephone Support Group
Learning Links have developed DECA: Dads Experiencing a Child with Autism, a support group where dads can speak to other dads about what they are going through. The group comprises of one face-to-face gathering to meet the other dads in Peakhurst on Tuesday night, 16 October and then six weekly telephone sessions on a Tuesday night from 8–9.30pm.

To express your interest in participating in DECA, contact Veronica Borham on 02 9534 1710, Monday – Wednesday, 9am – 4pm.

Out & About

Club Wild
Club Wild supports the creative expression of people with a disability through music, video and performance and champions their equal participation in society. Club Wild provides training and creative workshops in song writing, video making, band performance, DJ-ing, MC-ing, rapping, event management and more … putting it all together in the Club Wild Dance Party.

Normally based in Melbourne, Club Wild will be in Newcastle this October and November. An information and taster session will be held on Tuesday 23 October from 9am– 3pm. The workshops in DJ-ing, drumming, dance, circus, theatre and drama will be held every Tuesday in October. The Club Wild Dance Party will be held on Friday 30 November from 7–11pm for $5 a head.

For more information in the Club Wild flyer or website www.clubwild.net.

Siblings

Sibs Day
Learning Links is inviting brothers and sisters, 8-12 years old, of a child with a disability, who live in the St George and Sutherland area to join them on 3 October - learning how to care for a horse, including how to saddle it, groom it and then end the day with a trail ride.

The day is free with morning and afternoon tea and lunch supplied. Meet at the Learning Links Head Office, 12-14 Pindari Road, Peakhurst then onto Darkes Forest at 7.30am to finish by 4.45pm. Your child will need to wear comfortable clothing with closed in shoes. If you have any enquiries or would like to register, call Veronica Borham on 02 9534 1710, Mon to Wed, 9am– 4pm.

Arts

Art Inspirations – 2008 Wall Calendar
Manly Library is pleased to present a series of paintings by children from the Centre of Conductive Education at The Spastic Centre, with poems and stories by writers from the Manly and Peninsula branch of the Fellowship of Australian Writers. The twelve paintings with their accompanying texts make up a calendar that you can download free from www.tscnsw.org.au/services/conded/ce-calendar.pdf

$5 Tickets to The Opera House
The Balnaves Open House Program offers people with Concession Cards (and their paid carers) special $5 tickets to selected performances. This initiative is designed to broaden access to the theatre and encourage those who've never been to Sydney Opera House to enjoy a stream of productions.

Upcoming productions that have $5 tickets available include:
- Daniel Kitson - The Playhouse, 19 Sept. 8pm
- Rabbit! - Kids at the House Session, 11 October, 12.30pm
- Babies Proms: Santa Babies – 13 December

Tickets can be purchased from the ticket desk in Customs House, Circular Quay or directly through the box office with a credit card on 02 9250 7777. Ask for tickets to the Balnaves performance of your choice. Tickets can be posted out or collected on the night. For more information go to the media release at or visit www.sydneyoperahouse.com

‘Unlock Your Creativity’ - Fully Accessible Performing Arts Workshop Series
Adults experiencing any type of disability and their carers are invited to join in Unlock Your Creativity workshops. Led by professional artists, adults can enjoy participating sessions in movement and dance, live percussion, music and drama with the aim of tapping into each participant’s creative potential.

The 10-week of program runs on Saturdays 10am-12.15pm from 8 September to 10 November at the Redfern Community Centre. For more information please phone Kazu Milne on 02 9972 8161 or 0412 398 376, or visit the Unlock Your Creativity web page where you can also download a registration form.

Note: For the first time there will be an Emerging Artist or Facilitator Mentorship for adults aged 18+ or organisations (adults 18 + with a disability and their carers) who want to become workshop facilitators in dance/movement, music or drama. No prior experience is required.

Health

AFO Socks
The purpose of the AFO sock is to provide a knee length, smooth, firm fitting, good wearing and absorbent sock, with a low tendency to crease inside an orthotic. Thicker elastane, mercerised cotton for absorbency and linked toes work together to stop creasing. The overall material mix includes 95% cotton, 3% nylon and 2% lycra so they are comfortable and practical. Due to popular demand the largest size is now being stocked! Contact GOmobility on 02 9975 8202 or email rtrapp@tscnsw.org.au for prices.

Education

Grasp the Nettle
Grasp the Nettle shares the experiences of 11 Australians with learning disabilities who have made the transition into further education. Its aim is to aid in an improved transition experience for future students who have a learning disability.

The stories are now available online to download and listen to from the RMIT website.

[ Source: communityNet]

Conferences... Workshops... Seminars (Families)

Family Care Workshops
Terry Ryan, the author of What About Me… A Guide For Caring, runs Family Care workshops on providing care for a person with a disability for parents, siblings, carers and professionals. The workshops cover the typical challenges of providing care, family needs, changes and moving forward. Feedback from this workshop has shown it to be a very valuable resource for families to assist them with current issues and planning for the future.

The three workshops will all be run in December from 9.30am – 12.30am:
- Who Really Cares, Making Changes – Tuesday 4
- Getting through the Day, Supported Living – Tuesday 11
- Planning for tomorrow – Tuesday 18 December.

For more information and to register please call Ros Crowe-Mai on 02 9972 8163

Classifieds

Tempo Tricycles – Distributors Wanted in All States
Gareth Isham at Tempo tricycles has been making tricycles for people with disabilities for more than 35 years and the company has more than 135 cycles and major accessories to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The Queensland based owners of Tempo Tricycles are seeking a distributor for their range of bikes in various states and territories of Australia.

The role of the Distributor will be to promote business within their region, calling on special schools, disability organizations and individuals. Training and support is supplied. Remuneration will be commission based. If interested, contact Gareth Isham by email at sales@tempolafaek.com.au. For more information, visit the web site at www.tempotricycles.com.

For Sale
Mercedes-Benz Vito Van, 1999 Model, Auto, Air, Power Steering, Blue in Colour, 5 Seater plus Wheelchair, Registered until June 2008, Low Kms!! 106,000kms with log books.

Purchased from the original owner and conversion done by Accessible Transit Specialists, Milperra at a cost of $7,380. Sale includes one set of stainless steel telescopic ramps which can be used to ramp wheelchair up through side or rear door for convenience, the double rear seat can fold up out of the way when not in use.

$20,990 or nearest offer, please call Laurie on 02 44643137 for more information or to organise an inspection.

For Sale and Giveaways
A family in the Port Stephens area of NSW has a number of items for sale and to give away:

- Large custom-made sturdy change table – pressed white paint (as on kitchen cupboards). Shelf underneath. Designed for special needs child …. Make an offer.
- Older style hospital cot – with vinyl covered mattress. Clean and sturdy. Great for feeding/changing/therapy, etc, with special needs infant …. Free.
- Standing ladder – custom made. Lacquered timber. Very solid piece of equipment. $100.
- Goanna potty chair (small) on castors. $20.
- Baby jogger with trailer conversion for towing behind push bike. Used for special needs child. See www.babyjogger.com. Trailer was importeds for USA (not available in Australia). Lifetime warranty on frame. Book/instructions with kit. Asking $500 for complete set.
- Columbia car seat (blue). Very good condition. $500.
- Car toddler booster seat with harness straps. $10.

Enquiries – Phone 02 4982 3451 or 0407 074 379.

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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.