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DON MACKENZIE
rosie's Wheels
community S E R V I C E
An Occupational Therapist's primary goal is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life, whether that is at home, school, work, or in the community. Port Macquarie Therapist Annette Holley has spent the past few years reviving her creative side developing a children’s book loosely based on local Rosie Attard and her experience. Rosie, who attended Wauchope High School, had a spinal cord injury after a motor vehicle accident seven years ago. Rosie now works in the childcare industry at Wauchope and is completing further study. We chat with Annette about the process of creating Rosie’s Wheels.
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an you share the motivation behind creating your new children's book, Rosie’s Wheels? I’ve worked collaboratively with people with a variety of disabilities for a lot of years. Writing happy real stories for kids has been a long term goal. Rosie's Wheels combines my interest and experience. Reading with children is an important and powerful way of connecting. It’s a great way of starting and sharing conversations about all aspects of life. The idea for Rosie’s Wheels grew as I watched the interactions and education of preschool kids with Rosie. Kids have an insatiable curiosity, and every day in the classroom Rosie is teaching and sharing with kids her real life experiences, and that is going to shape how they respond and interact with people who are in a wheelchair their whole life. Rosie’s Wheels was created with the aim of being in libraries, schools and in the homes of people with and without disabilities. With your motivation to share the story, how did the creative journey begin? I’ve had little notes and story ideas floating around the house for a long time. I was spurred on by the engagement my two children showed when we read many, many books together. The words for the story are simple and relatable for children and their parents. Participating in the Hastings Council Art Smart programme last year really helped kick the project to the next stage. I started painting lessons and spent time refining and developing the book. How do you believe the book's presence can educate and bring awareness to our
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younger generation? There are not a lot of children’s books available where the main character has a disability. In Rosie’s Wheels, Rosie goes from a baby with wheels on her pram to a grown up with a car. It explores other wheels in her world, including the wheels on her chair. It positively presents Rosie moving forward after an unanticipated accident. If we can teach children about diversity, including disabilities, and help them have greater empathy and an understanding of what it might mean to be in a wheelchair, they will carry the information into their future, helping with positive societal changes. What has been the highlight of this journey so far? The real Rosie is an absolute gem of a human. She is fun and quirky and makes the world a better place. It has been great sharing the creative process with Rosie. I’ve also enjoyed reviving a long dormant interest in art, drawing and painting and through that, connecting with other creative people. You are launching Rosie’s Wheels in November. Where and when is this happening? Rosie’s Wheels is going to be launched at the Wauchope Community Arts Hall on Saturday 16th November. We will be there from 4:30pm. How can we get our hands on the book? There will be copies donated to the local libraries. Rosieswheels@gmail.com is the email address, and there is a Rosie’s Wheels page on Facebook. I will also be at local markets toward the end of the year. Thanks Annette.
St Agnes’ Parish Community Services has a long history of working in partnership with local services and organisations.
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orking in the community presents a variety of complexities, from safety in the field, to clinical governance, and transport. Community Services draws on the expertise of our partners to deliver best practice and high quality care tailored to the individual. Partnerships are about working efficiently with others, so the person we are supporting gets the right care at the right time. The Family Support Network provides groupwork or one-to-one support for children (aged 0 - 12 years) and families through programmes such as Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), Intergenerational Playgroups, Stepping Stones and Tuning into Kids. These programmes build resilience through early intervention with children, parents and communities. The Family Support Network partners closely with our local family and community service providers to support families to have positive relationships and secure attachments. The Youth Hub works with local mental health organisations to provide improved support for young people aged 12 - 24 years.
Many young people ask our youth workers for extra support around their mental health, particularly regarding their friendships, housing and homelessness or online bullying. The Youth Hub provides showers and laundry facilities in co-operation with partners that provide food vouchers, clothing or crisis accommodation. Centacare NDIS disability services work closely with people up to 64 years old. For example, Centacare works with Sailability Port Macquarie to ensure NDIS participants can safely take to the water, often for the first time in their lives. Sailability volunteers work side-by-side with our support workers to assist people in getting the most out of their sailing experience. The Home Care team support people, aged over 65 years, who receive a Home Care Package. The Home Care team engages particularly with the primary and allied health network of practitioners. For example, physiotherapy is a critical service for senior Australians, and our team makes sure the service is tailored to what the person needs to keep them living at home, longer and healthier. Community transport and Vital Living are also key partners to help us deliver services for our clients.
Live life, your way Personal care and help around the house Access to social and community activities Parental skills and child behavioural support Improved mobility and access
C (02) all on 658 1 to s ee 6800 we how ca hel n p
Centacare services the Mid North Coast with locations in Port Macquarie and Kempsey providing: Disability services for individuals and families Home Care Packages Family and parental support Therapy and Allied Health services
REGISTERED NDIS provider no. 29709979
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