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Help us support those with a spinal cord injury throughout their life
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Membership for people with a disability and their immediate family and carers is free.
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2019/11/14
Disability Royal Commission
The First Hearing of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability began last week in Townsville, Queensland.
SCIA's Advocacy & Policy Manager, Tony Jones, welcomes the commission, "Many disability organisations have been calling for the Royal Commission for a number of years. It will provide an avenue for people to express the abuse, neglect and discrimination they have experienced."
"Abuse is rife, particularly for those unable to literally speak for themselves. We shouldn't be surprised or shocked by what we find out," he says.
SCIA is committed to providing advocacy to anyone wishing to engage with the Royal Commission. If you would like support please email us at info@scia.org.au or call 1800 819 775.
To watch the webcast from the First Hearing or to read more about the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse Neglect and Exploitation of People, please visit https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/
2019/10/30
SCIA's Annual General Meeting 2019
When: Thursday 28 November, 2019
Where: St Michael's Golf Club, Jennifer Street, Little Bay
Time: 3:00pm
The AGM is a great opportunity to learn about how our services help people living with a spinal cord injury and to ask questions directly to our Board of Directors regarding the future of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) and the disability sector in general.
Complimentary afternoon tea will be provided with SCIA staff and directors available during this time.
The venue is wheelchair accessible, and has parking available. We can provide travel assistance to and from the event for those wanting to attend.
Please RSVP to info@scia.org.au or call 1800 819 775 by Thursday 21st November.
If you are unable to attend, we are live streaming the event on our website.
Check back to this page to watch the SCIA AGM live on Thursday 28 November at 3pm.
Please note that the streaming will not be interactive and you will not be able to vote.
If you cannot attend the AGM we have the following forms available to download and use to vote:
Please email them to Jemma Smyth, SCIA Company Secretary.
You can also read our financial statements online. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please contact the Company Secretary via email or phone 1800 819 775.
2019/10/24
Petition for Over 65s with Disability
Australians who are over 65 years old and living with a disability are severely disadvantaged. They do not currently have access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Under aged care, people who have extensive care needs, such as people who have quadriplegia are insufficiently funded.
Regardless of age, people over the age of 65 with a disability should be entitled to access NDIS benefits to support them in receiving the care they require.
A petition is now open, to draw to the attention of the House that legislative changes are required to eliminate discrimination of older people with a disability.
Please sign this petition to show your support. Closing date for signatures is 13 November 2019.
2019/10/23
Spring Appeal 2019
In the summer of 2013, Lachlan had just finished school and it was time to chill out at the beach to celebrate the end of school life with his mates. Just an ordinary day at the beach and schoolboys enjoying themselves in the surf, but then the unthinkable happened…
He found himself in the intensive care unit at Royal Perth Hospital with a fractured spinal cord. He became a quadriplegic.
Mum, Kristen, Dad, Tim, sister Victoria and brother Campbell were with Lachlan throughout his many hospital stays and rehabilitation. Without their love and support, he says “I don’t know how I would have gotten through the many months in hospital, infections and then finally spending my ‘gap year’ at the Shenton Park Rehabilitation Hospital”.
Lachlan’s Mum, Kristen, told us: “Being a family was difficult when Lach was in hospital. Family time suffered immensely and very suddenly. Our other children had to continue school and routine, and we were grateful for every bit of support that was given. The change in our lives of having a child who walked out the door to the beach in the morning, then acquiring a spinal cord injury in the afternoon was immense.”
With some hefty workouts with the SCIA NeuroMoves team, Lachlan has come a long way and we’re grateful for the friendship and support he receives from them every week.”
Lachlan and his family are positive about his new upcoming role with the Peer Support Team at the SCIA Perth Short Term Accommodation.
The support SCIA provides is vital when people are working so hard to get their lives back on track after a spinal cord injury.
Read more about Lachlan's journey with spinal cord injury and how SCIA has supported him throughout his journey. Please consider making a donation so that we can continue to support people like Lachlan through our Peer and Family Support Program and NeuroMoves.
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