Volume 25 Issue 6 Sep 2020
Y ur People and their Pets (Pt1) St ries 5PG SPECIAL FEATURE A Champion for Headstart Discover which animals make some of our amazing people smile! From pg 16
Annual Review
Craig Johnston is a new Ambassador: Pg 12
We report on the 2019/2020 year: Pg 5 NewsLink June 2020 I Page 1
The Headstart Acquired Brain Injury Services commenced in 1987 and is recognised as a premier provider of specialist services for people with an ABI in the Hunter and Central Coast region. Headstart provides individually tailored services across community access, in home support, life skills, social, leisure and recreational services, case co-ordination, family support and community information and education. 95 Turnbull Street, Hamilton NSW 2303 P 02 4965 4420 F 02 4965 4424 E info@headstart-abi.com.au W www.headstart-abi.com.au
ABN 75057986026 I CFN 13046 Headstart ABI Services is a registered provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Our Vision For people living with brain injury to have opportunities that strengthen and enrich their lives.
Our Purpose To make a difference in the lives of people touched by brain injury by providing opportunities and inspiring hope. Executive Staff Executive Director: Manager Service and Supports: Finance & Admin Manager: HR Lead: Quality Lead: Marketing Lead:
Sue McHattie Kesley Skippen Therese Paksi Kathryn Fitzgerald Bronwyn Doherty Andy Meier
Now you can read NewsLink online with Issuu! If you aren’t on our email list then let us know. What stories or information would
you like to see in future NewsLinks? Do you have some great stories or photos? We’d love to hear from you! Email Andy at our office: comms@headstart-abi.com.au
Nominate a CSW for outstanding achievement
From the ED’s Desk T
here's a lot happening here at Headstart! With new staff, a new website and new season. Aren't you glad that spring has sprung?
This year due to COVID-19 the Headstart Board of Management decided to delay our AGM 2020 and combine it with the AGM 2021, so we have compiled a shapshot review of the year, in this bumper edition of NewsLink. We feature recent campaigns for Brain Injury Awareness Week and National Stroke Week. We are really proud and pleased to have Aussie soccer legend Craig Johnston as our new Ambassador who features in our latest TV ad. The year isn't without it's challenges, of course, and with the impacts of COVID-19 continuing we know that life can be difficult. As we asked in video on Facebook: Are you ok? How are you going emotionally with COVID-19 on top of everything else in your life? If you’re struggling in anyway, please reach out to a friend, a family member, us, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14. There is always someone to talk to. There are always still reasons to cheer, like this truly magic moment at bingo as Carolyn wins!! The aged care facility where Carolyn lives has just allowed supports to recommence and that's another positive. Plus, we're also excited to announce that recreational activities are back in a COVID-safe manner (see pg 12). Stay safe and keep in touch, Sue
We continue to recognise the work of CSW’s who have gone above and beyond in any capacity to support our consumers in their daily lives. Please help us thank and encourage our amazing support workers! To nominate a CSW contact your Co-worker or email: info@headstart.com.au Have you checked us out on Facebook recently?
Catch all the latest news, stories and rec activities. NewsLink June 2020 I Page 2
PS. We know that many of you love your pets (Like Greg W at Lake Macquarie with his best friend of 16 years Lucy). Starting in this issue we'll feature some of your favourite furry (and scaley) friends!
Heads up: a new website! Arthur’s still on the right track
W
hile his brain injury has meant changing from two wheel’s to three, 70 yr old Arthur says “When I’m riding I don’t feel like I have anything wrong with my brain. I don’t worry about balance. I feel normal.”
And he is certainly still going a long way: 30k’s on his recumbent bike two or three times a week down at the Fernleigh Track, Arthur hasn’t let his serious bike accident in 2014 slow him down. Keep it up Arthur!
Arthur has featured in previous editions of NewsLink (Mar & Dec 2016) and so we caught up with him a couple of months ago to check on how he’s going.
“I go with a mate or with a support worker. Exercise is good for my brain.” - Arthur
Our website has been revamped and updated with news and stories, and we hope you find it easy to navigate and use. Your feedback is always welcome! Check it out: www.headstart-abi.com.au
NEWS UPDATE
This event has unfortunately been cancelled due to COVID. It is now planned for May 2021.
Health & Safety Update
COVID-19 At Headstart we continue to follow best practice health and safety guidelines and staff have undergone training aligned with the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework. We are carefully monitoring and adhere to advice from the government and relevant health authorities. If you’re concerned then call the Government Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice: 1800 020 080 (24/7)
REC UPDATE
Headstart rec activities (formerly known as Social Club) are beginning in October, see pg 10 for more info.
CET IS BACK
Our Community Education Team (CET) have been presenting in a COVID-safe way since July already.
Here a mask, there a mask, everywhere you go a mask! These days it’s not so much ‘will I wear a mask’ but a case of ‘what kind of mask?’ Keeping COVID safe in style are Lyn M and Carolyn L as they attend a physio appointment.
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Meet Marny Cringle Friend of Headstart
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London tube train sped past the platform and in a split second Marny was under the train: her leg was torn off, her head was smashed like an egg shell and brain exposed, her eyes had popped out of their sockets and five discs in her back were broken. She was not expected to survive and if she did, they said she would need 24 hour care.
After then contracting meningitis and with virtually no chance of survival, Marny managed to pull through. Today she is living an independent life, working again as a registered nurse in Maitland and walking on two legs – albeit one of them is a bionic leg. “It was a long, difficult road to recovery and it was important to celebrate the small wins. Like when I first regained consciousness, holding my head up for four seconds. I celebrated that because it motivated me to keep going.”
“Look inside yourself and just do the best you possibly can and just keep moving forward”.
Having been working as a trauma nurse, Marny was now in a trauma ward.
Taking on new challenges has mean that despite never having picked up a racquet before her horrific accident, Marny became an Aussie wheelchair tennis champion. More recently, Marny’s new goal is to become an inspirational public speaker, and if her past is anything to go by she will take it all in her stride. All the best from us Marny!
The Carer’s Way Ahead: On-line support for families managing challenging interactions
UNSW are seeking volunteers for a new ABI study
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f you are a carer for someone with a brain injury, you may have experienced some challenges in how they interact with other people. This can have a huge impact on relationships with family members. The UNSW is looking for volunteers for a new online research trial called ‘The Carer’s Way Ahead’. This involves participating in a step by step program that teaches families how to manage situations in the home. To find out more is to complete UNSW’s survey online: www.redcap.link/thecarerswayahead You can also contact Dr Travis Wearne at the Centre of Research Excellence in Brain Recovery at the University of NSW y phone (02) 9385 3310 or email t.wearne@unsw.edu.au
Sessions begin in the second half of 2020 and research continues into 2021, so there’s still time for you to get on board. If you decide to participate then please let us know, we’d love to hear more about it! NewsLink June 2020 I Page 4
2019/2020
Annual Review
Headstart continues to travel along a pathway that embraces change as the norm and sustainability in continuing to provide specialist services for people with an ABI.
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t every turn we embrace and continue to commit to our vision, purpose and values. The events of the past year in dealing with a pandemic was a first for all of us, and I wish to thank everyone, the whole team - support workers, co-workers, administration, leadership team and management. To our consumers and carers who continued throughout to keep us informed of their difficulties, any changes and challenges, thank you.
These new positions enable our organisation to continue on its path of growth.
Whilst the pandemic presented so many terrible impacts, from inconvenience to tragic loss, it was important we take the opportunity to learn from it as well.
The best services are those provided by an engaged workforce and I would like to recognise all my colleagues‌ all 200+ of you - for your commitment to our values, your passion, compassion and fun!
I am incredibly proud of the achievements of the staff in maintaining shifts, rostering, rerostering to best meet consumer needs, and ensuring PPE and safety at all times. It was an enormously challenging time but there are always things to improve and strategies to refine, and we commit to doing this. In the past year we have taken on a lot of new staff, co-workers and our frontline workers. We have also been joined by Andy n Marketing, Katherine in Human Resources and Bronwyn in Quality.
Our aim in the past year has been to get our name more visible in the community, to present your stories in TV adverts, facebook and the website, to streamline our employment processes, build improved training, and to make sure we keep growing with quality at the core.
The Board continues to endorse the vital work that strengthens our governance and commits to diversification that ensures future growth.
In this edition you will read many stories of how people have been supported to “make it happen� in their lives, and about their life philosophies. We hope you enjoy this edition. The business of Headstart has continued to grow ... where:
82.5%
of all who use the services have their funding source as NDIS
Total revenue increased by
21%
Staff numbers increased in the last year by
23%
(for a full copy of the audited financial reports please contact the office).
I am excited by the opportunities that await us. We will continue As I write, the disability sector to build a strong and respected and NDIS is still not settling, brand on our 32 year history. and may not do so for a while To consumers and carers thank as NDIS continues to review its you for inviting us on this journey operations. Within our future and we hope to serve you well into lies more change, and as we know, the future. any change can be unsettling. However an ability to deal with Warm Regards continual change, becomes our Sue McHattie strength for the future. Executive Director
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Service with a smile W
Well hasn’t this last 12 months been a rollercoaster ride! It has ranged from the brilliant feedback we received following our ACIS / NDIS audit, through to the ongoing COVID challenges. I’d like to thank our amazing team of consumers, support staff, and office-based staff for all their hard work and commitment during this time.
e welcomed some new faces to the Headstart team with Co-Workers Jon Boyd, Josephine Wang, Kate, Timewell, Joel Duncombe, Alan Hunt, Natalie Anderson, and Dianne Green as well as Roster Clerk Tony Jones. We also welcome our new Recreation Worker Ben Kaiser who takes over from Cheryl Cheers who is now in the role of a Co-Worker. Our amazing team of CSWs has also increased and we welcome aboard all our new team-mates!
the safety of everyone in line with public health directives. The good news is that some of our Recrational activities will be resuming gradually, and Ben is doing a wonderful job of setting up activities that still comply with the health and safety guidelines. We really appreciate everyone’s understanding during all these changes.
Feedback from consumers and their families was positive and whilst this is pleasing, we will continue aiming for best practice.
In the midst of all this we sent out our yearly Consumer Satisfaction Survey.
Covid has really seen some changes in the way we have had to do things over recent months.
One area for improvement that was highlighted to us is the need to respond to phone calls more quickly – we will take this onboard and staff will address this.
Many of our Co-Workers have been working remotely from home, and all Social Club activities had to stop to ensure
This year we asked family members/ carers about their satisfaction with our services. 98% reported a high satisfaction, and 97% of family and carers had trust and confidence in our staff.
Mark and Kate Mark has been working with COS Kate to try and reengage in employment. In the past, Mark has been employed as a Security officer and a Trades assistant, among other roles. Kate assisted Mark to link up with APM, a Disability Employment provider. Mark was lined up to interview for a position at Godfathers café, but unfortunately this has been impacted by COVID and Godfathers were forced to close their doors, due to restrictions. Mark is hoping this opportunity presents itself again some time soon. Marks other options of areas of employment include, working in a Nursery or in Marine Conservation. Mark has a vision impairment and Kate was able to assist Mark to secure NDIS funding in his new plan
85% of consumers reported an overall satisfaction rating in the high category and 15% as “Mostly” satisfied. – survey of 06/2020
Thank you to everyone that took part in this survey as it helps us to become a better service and responsive to people’s needs. Kesley Skippen Manager of Service and Supports
to cover the costs of Support Workers to support him at work. Mark was also finally approved for his Orcam Eyewear, which Mark and his OT have been trying to have approved by the NDIS for the past 2yrs. This amazing piece of equipment reads text out loud, just by the user pointing to the text they wish to read. This is going to allow Mark to be much more independent, in his home, his community and in employment.
Mark says "This equipment is going to change my life!"
NewsLink June 2020 I Page 6
Trish and Dianne Over the weekend I supported a consumer, Trish to visit with her children recently in Northern NSW. We had 2 CSWs with us and drove a Headstart car to Graft, taking turns so we weren’t tired when we arrived. We settled into our lovely accommodation right on the Clarence River and had lovely open areas that we were able to use freely. The complex also had a restaurant where we enjoyed a great meal on each night.
children enjoy some time together, her son and his girlfriend enjoyed themselves so much that they came back to the accommodation and hung out some more with their mum. It was fantastic to watch Trish smile, laugh and have some real big chats with everyone which shows that Trish really enjoyed her time away which is what this was all about.
A big thank you to the other CSW who supported Trish. I felt we worked very well together as a team for the best support for our consumer. This was such a rewarding experience for all involved. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be involved in this.
On Saturday morning we travelled into Grafton and met up with Trish’s daughter, her son, his girlfriend, and her Aunt. There wasn't a dry eye as we got to witness Trish and her lovely
Peter and Josephine
Jamie and Kellie Jamie has taken to his hydrotherapy amazingly well this year. Unfortunately, things came to a halt due to the Covid shutdown, however Jamie insisted on starting up as soon as the pools were reopened. That’s impressive given that we were in the middle of winter. Recently Jamie’s physio gave some feedback about Jamie’s hydrotherapy. She said that Jamie and CSWs Kristy and Joe have been doing an absolutely fabulous job with Jamie’s hydro program. When she recently dropped in to one of their sessions at Toronto Pool, Jamie had made significant gains in movement, strength and importantly his confidence with his left leg. Jamie is noticing improvements outside of the water and states that he looks forward to his pool sessions each week. The physio also said that she has never seen Jamie so motivated. When asked about his Hydrotherapy, Jamie replied, “It’s just something I like doing. It allows me to move a lot easier.” This is a great achievement in a relatively short space of time, particularly for a self-confessed anti-fan of therapy! Well done Jamie.
Peter decided to stay home since beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he only just slowly reinstated getting out and about (with caution) from June. A trip away from home to the Australian Reptile Park was something that Peter had been looking forward to! Peter says "I love animals and started planning it weeks ahead with my support worker Johnny. My favourites were the snakes and koalas and the park staff milking venom from the funnel web spiders was amazing." It was a great experience for Peter to be able to pat koalas and see many other reptile animals up close. One of Peter’s goals in his plan is short trips away from home to give his brother (main carer) a break. Peter took a day trip to Sydney on the train early this year with his support worker. CSW Johnny has also been supporting Peter to attend the Rec group.
NewsLink June 2020 I Page 7
Lauren and Jon
Thomas and Adrienne
Lauren has been working very hard over the years to gain independence after her accident and it has always been a big goal for her to be able to drive a car. All of us at Headstart were overjoyed to hear that Lauren has recently passed her Learner’s drivers licence exam. Lauren's team of CSW's have been helping her practice her driving exams online. They were there on the day to support her while she took the test. This was such an amazing effort for Lauren and we are all very proud of her.
"I had my first driving lesson the other day and did really well. I am looking forward to working towards getting my Provisional licence and having my own car soon," said Lauren. We all wanted to congratulate Lauren on this massive achievement, we are all excited to support you to reach your goals in the future!
Brenden and Joel
Tom was planning to start hydro earlier this year but due to COVID 19 this was put on hold. Tom started attending hydro in late July and he has been going ever since. There's no holding Tom back from hydro now! Tom said "I love everything about hydro but mostly that I can walk in the pool unaided. I feel happy after my walk in the pool and would miss it if I stopped." Tom also enjoys the chance to meet new people at the pool and work through his exercises. ‘I have good company in the pool with me and nice people work there’. Tom’s physio has noted that even after only attending for a short while, Tom is already showing signs of improvement and increased confidence in the pool. Tom advised that he ‘nearly’ likes going to hydro as much as going to the club!
Mark and Cheryl
Brenden's is a real success story. He has recently made huge gains in his strength, mobility and determination. Brenden said "I wanted greater independence. So I arranged for a garden shed to be built my his rear courtyard, which houses my powered wheelchair perfectly." Brenden normally mobilizes within his mobile home using his powered wheelchair, and on some occasions using a Forearm Support Frame or a quad-stick. Brenden has now deemed his home a ‘Wheelchair free space’, and will only be mobilizing using his FASF or Quad-stick at home. Brenden is also now mobilizing up and down the ramp at the front of his property to get to the shed. This is all epic for Brenden!
Mark has goals of getting on top of his anxiety in crowds and improving his fitness so he can be the best person he can be. To help Mark achieve these goals he has been going out in his community socialising where he likes to meet up with friends and he visits the gym and swims most days to work on his fitness. "I love long walks, fishing and zoning out by painting whenever he gets hold of a blank canvas Since my accident I have enjoyed painting because it relaxes me and helps with the pain in my head," said Mark. "This is a talent that I never had before and I am having a few lessons a month to further my skills. I can complete a canvas in an hour or two once I’m focused. When put a paintbrush to the canvas, I just go into another world of artistic flair. I am currently working on a big painting to show off in an Art Gallery at an event in Sydney next year”.
NewsLink June 2020 I Page 8
Leonie and Mark
Rodney and Leanne "I started practicing for my driver’s licence in 2018 by going to the local Library and studying the Road User handbook and practising the Learners Driving test online", said Rodney.
"I have been with Headstart for three years. They have been great! After having an operation to remove a tumour, I had three bleeds to the brain causing strokes," says Leonie.
"With the help of my support worker Rachael, I was practicing every week till I was ready for my test. When I felt I was ready, I went to the local Services NSW to sit the test and I passed."
"My goal is to work a few more days in a Hair Salon, after having to close mine after Hairdressing for 32 yrs."
"With my determination since getting my L’s, I have bought a car, Nissan Pulsar LX Sedan. My Goal is to get my full driver’s licence and my car fixed up for Rego, so I can drive to pay respects to my mum at her resting place in Lithgow. My goal is to visit there, to be independent, do things myself and with all my thanks to Leanne at Headstart, Rachael my support worker and Awesome Driving school, in helping me to head in the right direction, to fill my very special goal and with support from my family as well who know I can and will do this." Rodney’s Goal is to achieve his full licence and is making progress in achieving this!
Neil and Natalie Neil has been living independently in his family home since his father passed away in February 2020. When asked what it means to be able to live on his own, Neil responded that:
“It makes me get up everyday and think that I can take on the world. It makes me feel very positive”.
Leonie said "I’ve been volunteering at a local salon one day a week to get used to working again. I’m having driving lessons at the moment, hoping to get my license back soon. I have also been helping to coach netball again this season." Leonie receives support from Headstart three days a week, assistance with shopping, meal preparation, planning and getting out into the community. We've also helped Leonie implement her other NDIS-funded goals, like getting her car modified so she can drive it safely and access occupational therapy and physiotherapy to help with her ongoing recovery. Leonie’s enthusiasm and persistence are inspiring!
Headstart support Neil getting out and about as well as cleaning, but Neil manages all his cooking and basic daily chores. He has a set routing every day to help him remember all the tasks that he needs to do each day.
Dave and Paula, CSW Dave says "I started working with Paula 10 mths ago 1 day a week. We have been working together 4 days per week since covid. My goals were to explore new places, have fun and be happy."
Our nicknames are Mike and Mal Leyland "we've been everywhere man"
Paula says "It's been an absolute pleasure working with Dave. "We have been to so many places including Hunter Valley Zoo, Fighter World, Oakdale farm, Forster, the He has achieved all he set out to do and more. He has a Museum, the Art Gallery, Hunter Wetlands centre, great personality and he is so ten pin bowling and a lot of walking for fitness." "I feel we have achieved my goals. I am feeling much happier always joking more confident, I have been to so many places I and smiling!" have never been to before. I have had so much Cheers Dave and Paula fun and have had so many laughs." AKA Mike and Mal NewsLink June 2020 I Page 9
Snowy Mountains, NSW. One of Ben’s favourite winter destinations!
“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember: amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic...” - Ben
Rec Returns! Formerly known as Headstart’s Social Club, Recreation Activities are back and have been revamped to include some popular favourites and some new exciting things. Meet Ben, your new Rec worker.
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‘m Ben, your recreational activities coordinator. The past 6 months has had a big impact on all of our social lives, as well as making it more challenging to get out and get active. It is very important to find ways to get exercise into your day, and if it can be done safely with some friends, all the better! You may have already read a bit about me on page 3 of this issue of NewsLink. There wasn’t enough room for everything there of course, so here’s a little bit more. Q: What are your interests? A: All kinds of outdoor activities– swimming, mountain biking, skiing, rock climbing, bush walking. Q: How long have your lived in Newcastle? A: Only 3 months! So I’m excited to get out and explore my new home. Before that I was travelling in my campervan! Q: Have you tried something new recently? A: I joined St John Ambulance as a volunteer, so I’m learning all kind of new medical things each week. It has been great to learn some new skills.
Q: So what are you planning for Rec this year? We’re starting a bit slower and easing into things as we navigate COVID-19 but we plan for some more of the favourites - like lawn bowls and fishing - and some new activities like cooking, bushwalking, dog park meet up's and much more. I'd like to encourage you to let me know what interests you, or maybe come along and try something new!
COVID Safe Changes to Rec To get social activities happening again we need to take some extra precautions to ensure we minimize the chance of spreading coughs, colds and of course COVID-19! Its not too difficult, and will allow us to get back out there doing things. All the activities on the October calendar are in open–air venues, and generally not in busy locations. A few other important things:
• Limited seating in the vehicles for group activities
• Smaller group sizes for now (max 5 consumers / CSW's) • Wearing masks when we can’t socially distance • Regular hand hygiene with alcohol hand rub during
• And of course– if you are feeling unwell or have cold/ flu symptoms, please notify Ben ASAP, and stay home!
Updates at www.headstart-abi.com.au/rec Stay tuned and check your emails for Rec information and calendars.
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National Stroke Week
Brain Injury Awareness Week
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rain Injury Awareness Week 2020 was from August 17 - 23. In previous years we have gathered together socially for a bbq to encourage each other and have fun. With COVID-19 preventing social activities during 2020 we have instead decided to focus on a media campaign to help promote awareness of ABI in the community. With no two injuries being alike, no two stories are either.
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ational Stroke Week took place from 31 August – 6 September and our objective was to help people understand more about this specific kind of acquired brain injury.
Here at Headstart 1 in 5 people we support have had a stroke. Stroke attacks the brain - the human control centre changing lives in an instant. Injury to an area of your brain can impact how you think, behave, use words, swallow, see, feel, touch, and move your body. Stroke affects everyone differently. It can happen to anyone of any age. As published by the Stroke Foundation:
The week kicked off with this Newcastle Herald’s Weekender Feature: "Brotherly Love", a touching story about soccer legend Craig Johnston as he shares his emotions over his sister Faye's brain injury, and how Headstart has helped over the years.
Every 10 minutes an Australian will have a stroke
Our awareness campaign included social media activity, with a number of short videos and stories:
1 in 4 people will have a stroke in their lifetime
But encouragingly more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.
If someone is having a STROKE Think FAST and for the appropriate response see www.strokefoundation.org.au
Watch the videos on our Facebook page (17 - 23 Aug).
For more information about stroke (including Aphsia and Dysphasia) - as well as more stories of stroke recovery - visit our Headstart website and look under the News tab for our article 'All About Stroke'.
NewsLink June 2020 I Page 11
Craig Johnston, Faye’s brother. Aussie soccer legend and new Headstart Ambassador speaks up about his sister Faye’s brain injury.
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raig Johnston grew up in the Hunter, and his dream was always to be the greatest soccer player in the world. Nicknamed “Skippy” Craig played professionally as a midfielder in the English Football League between 1977 and 1988, winning five league titles and an FA Cup (scoring in the 1986 final) with Liverpool where he made 271 appearances and scored 40 goals. But despite all of that success, Craig’s sister Faye’s personality shone brightly.
Craig’s career ended prematurely at 27 years old when his sister Faye had a serious brain injury. “I was getting ready to go to the club Christmas party when I received a phone call from my Mum saying ‘your sister’s had a dreadful accident’". Faye was in Morocco at the time and suffered from butane gas inhalation while in her hotel. Craig immediately flew to Tangier, and brought her back to London by air ambulance. After being in a coma for three weeks and on New Year’s eve in 1986 Faye woke up and smiled, but Craig and his parents realised that Faye may never be the same again.
Craig decided to keep things private "She was quite the character, at that stage. “We all thought Faye they used to call me ‘Faye’s would get better but she didn’t. brother’ when we were young." NewsLink June 2020 I Page 12
Time went on and we tried all sorts of things, took her to Malaysia, to neurologists… nobody could help. So I retired from football, it was a big decision. It was time to go home. Once back in Australia we realised that Faye wasn’t getting better and apparently she never would”.
"Headstart was so important because they understood brain injury." “It’s all about not just understanding the problem, neurologically, but also the effect on the family. And that’s why Headstart was our only saviour, and still is to this day. Brain injury is such a specialised and horrific thing. Every case is different and your heart bleeds. You’ve got to
not do it on your own, work with people who understand the 360 of brain injury and the impact on the family as well.” “We were hoping… and poor old Faye has never come right. We’re still hoping. I’m a hopeful person. Always have been, and that’s what let to my success on the soccer field. But there’s wonderful people out there – Headstart – that fully understand the pressure, and the hurt and the pain, and the love that you all need to get through. Mum’s still there too, tending to Faye day to day. She’s the hero in all of this really. Things are doubly difficult right now with COVID-19 lockdown of the care facility where Faye lives. It’s not easy at all.”
NewsLink June 2020 I Page 13
Craig is happy to be calling Newcastle home again after many years living in the United States. Craig has broken the silence and heads up a new campaign on TV, press and digital channels as Ambassador for Headstart.
News
Out of tune: the government responds to the Tune Review Article courtesy Sara Gingold, Content Specialist and the Editor of Disability Services Consulting (DSC) NDIS Resource Hub. Article courtesy of Team DSC, 3 Sep 2020.
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n August 29th, the Government released its response to the December 2019 review of the NDIS legislation (commonly referred to as the Tune Review). And on the surface it looks oh so good. Every recommendation supported or supported-in-principle (yay!). Minister Stuart Robert was in the media touting these as the ‘most substantial changes’ ever to hit the NDIS. And goodness knows the Scheme was in dire need of some substantial changes. The response is so full of government doublespeak and responses with no discernible relationship to the recommendation that it’s taken us a full week to even understand as much as we do. And while many of the proposed changes sound good at first, there is some serious room for error in how they are implemented. The TL;DR (aka too long; didn’t read) version of this article is quite simple: the government’s response to the Tune Review recommendation was pretty sneaky. But let’s get into it, shall we?
Reasonable and necessary The principle of reasonable and necessary is the bedrock of the NDIS, so it is worth saying from the outset that any possible changes to how the criteria are implemented need to be treated with extreme caution. The Tune Review draws upon submissions from participants and the sector and concludes that the concept of reasonable and necessary is confusing. And they are right, the level of subjectivity required to interpret the criteria has led to inequalities in funding. The Tune Review argued that there should be more clarity and transparency with Agency decision making. This seems positive, right? More clarity. More transparency. Tick. What could possibly go wrong? Turns out, quite a lot. The danger is that by providing more clarity and transparency, the NDIA could in fact create more cut-and-dried ‘in or out’ scenarios. We risk entering a world where the decisions are not based on individual circumstances and need but rather a predetermined one size fits all approach. The Tune Review also recommended that the government update the NDIS Rules to reflect Disability Reform Council (DRC) decisions on the boundaries between the NewsLink June 2020 I Page 14
Get comfy, grab a cuppa and read this candid analysis of the Government’s recent response to the December 2019 review of the NDIS legislation (commonly referred to as the Tune Review).
NDIS and mainstream services. The government responded that this work is already underway. To be sure, the intersection between mainstream services and the NDIS has been a thorn in the Scheme’s side for a very long time. But once again, we need to be careful about developing lists of what can and what cannot be funded by the NDIS. In the world of disability, context is everything. The Tune Review has specifically recommended that the DRC clarify “the treatment of chronic health conditions under the NDIS.”
As a person with a chronic illness which is also a disability, this sends a shiver down my spine. The administrative appeals tribunal (AAT) One very concerning element of the government’s response relates to the power of the AAT. The Tribunal plays an essential role in the implementation of the Scheme. It gives participants access to independent appeal and provides some much needed oversight of eligibility and funding decisions. Some highlights of the AAT’s portfolio include rulings on transport, sex work and the health interface.
The government accepted Tune Review Recommendation 23: “The NDIS Act is amended to clarify the Administrative Appeals Tribunal’s (AAT) jurisdiction, including the power for a plan to be amended while a matter is before the AAT.” If you follow AAT cases you will know that jurisdiction is an issue that often comes up. It usually concerns situations where an AAT decision takes so long that the plan in question has already expired and so can’t technically be changed. This is squabbling over technicalities which is thoroughly boring (sorry, not sorry) and a waste of everyone’s time. So some clarification on these situations could do us all a world of good. But that’s not all. The Tune Review questioned whether the AAT should have any jurisdiction over reasonable and necessary and suggested that it’s actually up to all governments to make these decisions, not an independent tribunal. While the Government did not explicitly address this part of the recommendation in its response, it has supported the overall recommendation. And it’s no secret that they would love for the AAT to butt out.
Make no mistake: the Government is throwing down the gauntlet, and the AAT’s power to arbitrate reasonable and necessary decisions could be in danger. Support coordination The Tune Review recommended that the NDIA: “set out the factors the NDIA will consider in funding support coordination in a participant’s plan.” This recommendation was “supported” by the government.
Awesome. We need just that bit more clarity of who is eligible for this important support and, ideally, to know the criteria that planners use when making this determination. We hope the current consultations happening through the Discussion Paper will yield real clarity on the NDIA’s Support Coordination funding decisions.
Psychological disability Accessing the NDIS with a psychosocial disability is incredibly tough, as the eligibility criteria do not lend themselves well to the reality of mental illness. For one thing, there are a million different treatments out there for psychosocial disabilities, and it is unrealistic and cruel to expect people to exhaust all of them before they can access the Scheme. Especially given that many of these treatments have significant side effects. The government has agreed to provide a clearer definition of permanency in a psychosocial disability context. However, until we see the definition they are proposing, we cannot know if this will be a good thing. It is entirely possible that a new definition would exclude more people from the NDIS. The Tune Review specifically recommended that the NDIA recognises that some mental health conditions are episodic and fluctuating. There was no mention of this in the government’s response.
Navigating the NDIS The Tune Review suggested that the Agency put aside some additional funding to help people navigate the NDIS. The key word here is additional. While the government response supported this recommendation in principle, they went on to just list the funding they have already provided. There was nothing ‘additional’ about it. The status quo just ain’t good enough. Our advocacy system is overloaded, LACs are too busy NewsLink June 2020 I Page 15
with planning to support people to navigate the Scheme, and ILC grants are trying to do a big job with very little money. Thus the need for additional funding.
Independent assessments There is so much to be said about these that we dedicated a whole article to it. Read it here: www.teamdsc.com.au/resources/ independent-assessments
There is some good news Don’t get us wrong, there is some genuinely good news here. Including: • It looks like flexibility between Core and Capacity Building budgets might be back on the table. Thank goodness for that! • The Participant Service Guarantee might actually finally put an end to the very long waiting times that we have seen to date. While also giving people with disability more time to collect the evidence needed. • The government has also agreed to acknowledge the additional support that family members provide to children with disability, compared to children without disability. Hopefully, this will translate to more Core funding for people in younger age brackets (though there is no guarantee). • The government accepted the Tune Review recommendation to further increase the involvement of participants and families in the Support Independent Living (SIL) quote development. For more read the full government response to the Tune Review findings (web link below). But like we said, it can be pretty sneaky. To access the online article (incl. the government report) visit https://teamdsc.com.au/resources/ out-of-tune
Pet people
Leah: rides high
"T
"I'm on Star Wars if you remember. But Princess Leah's hair's brown and my hair's blonde. But anyway, life goes on. May the force be with you sweetheart!"
wenty three years ago I had a car crash and died at the scene. I died in the ambulance and died in the hospital. Why the hell I’m alive I don’t know! There is a God, Amen".
Leah’s accident was in 1997 and she was in a coma for seven months. "There is a thing in this life called a coma," she says. After her time in hospital Leah was in a wheelchair and had to learn to walk again. “I prayed three times, morning noon and night and for some reason God answered my prayers and here I am!” When asked about what the most difficult things she’s had to overcome is, Leah shares about having to learn to read and write again. “My injuries dissolved my reading, darn it, and at that stage I couldn’t talk. I can now. I also went to a physiotheraphy on Darby street and they helped me too.”
"One of my goals is to read and write better. Reading is the main one. I write in my journal episodes that have happened through the day. Where we had lunch. Things that happened. Don’t tell anyone, but I do write things that are weird and get said in prayers at the dinner table when we pray over our food. And our accomplishments.”
"I do a lot of journalling. If you have something happen in your life and you are determined to remember it then you put it in your journal. And one day somebody will be able to see my life as history. It may mean nothing but it may go into the history books. Heaven knows, don’t you God!" "I ran out of room in my journal before. I’ve got an alphabet book and I’ve got up to the letter D so far. I started in 1999. Twenty years it’s taken me from A to D."
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Leah’s father Robert explains that Leah has two problems with reading: picturing the word and spelling. "Leah can spell all the words but she can’t picture it. For example C-A-T is cat, but when she looks at it the picture doesn’t come as cat. It’s very difficult for her."
Leah has a long history with horses and her family currently have a property with several horses. Before her accident Leah was a champion showjumper. “Before my accident I was a showjumper. That’s when you jump over obstacles and they can range from on the ground to over a metre.” Leah’s father explains that her show jumping horse, Otto was lent to another family after her accident and their son's became champions on that horse. Otto taught them how to show jump. Leah says “Otto was his nickname, I actually called him Imperial Express and he was grey.”
“The horse I’ve got now is Bo, or Bodacious, and I do dressage or hacking on him.” Leah has won a raft of competitions for riding in the Hunter and also Sydney, including RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) NSW State Champion and many show jumping competitions. It amounts to dozens of place ribbons and literally hundreds of medals over the years. “Too many to count” says Leah’s father. Leah’s mother say that “we go to the RDA state championships every year. We go to Sydney Olympic Park every year - over 20 years now!”
When you get on you have to learn to squeeze if you want to go forward. When you walk your body movement is the same as horseriding. So if it wasn't for me getting horses from the age of 11, who knows where I'd be now". Leah has been supported by Headstart since 1997. We asked Leah about her support buddies. “They help me with my reading and my exercise. I should be going to a gym but there’s a thing called Covid-19 but you don’t want to hear that rubbish. They take me to swimming, to karate. They take me shopping and get my lunch. We meet other friends, groups, or go to ten pin bowling. "
“In the pool I try to do 50 laps, but I only make it to 49 sometimes and think 'gee I’ve had enough!' I have a noodle that helps me balance, and I walk too. My left arm is paralysed, and if I put the noodle under my arm it helps me walk and I do my activities. Once upon a time I could do a somersault in the water. That’s something to try.”
“My support workers are so special. I couldn’t live without them for the simple fact that they get me from A to B. They get me from home to swimming, bowling, the gym, trampolining, mosaics - that is craft with a pot.” We asked Leah if she had anything else she wanted to share with our readers, to which she replied:
"Do not buy a horse! Whoah! They are a lot of bloody work. Patience is a virtue and if you uphold that virtue then you can fulfil your dream. Amen!"
“When I'm riding it just feels like you’ve got movement in your legs. But you don’t ever kick a horse.
Check out Leah's riding skills on video! Go to www.vimeo.com/459212616
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Pet people
Brenden: Making the most of it I
n 2013 I was in town getting on the drink. I jumped on the Harley and went to a mates place, no problem. Then I was riding back to West Wallsend to get smokes and went full tilt down the inside of four cars, my leg hit a reflector post and I crashed. I went nineteen metres into the air and landed on my head. I died twice and spent two months in a coma.
My left arm doesn’t work. I don’t have balance and my memory My life, My way. is screwed. But other than that I actually love being like this.
I got that tattoo ten months before my accident and I still live by it. There’s no point in trying to live by someone else’s way when it’s your life, ‘cos you’re the one that’s got to live with yourself.
I used to be an underground mechanical fitter on a good wage and I actually like my life now more than before the accident. Even though I had more money and whatever. Just the people I’ve met, things I’ve done. It’s how you make it for yourself, how you deal with yourself. So move along with your life. Don’t be regretful or feel sorry for yourself. NewsLink June 2020 I Page 18
I may have died twice, but you only get once chance at life. In 2018 I went to Sturgis in the USA, the biggest motorcycle rally in the world. I’ve been wanting to go to Sturgis for twenty years. I love Harley’s even though I crashed one and I’m like this for it. I was in America for three weeks and loved it! I went with two of my support buddies. We went to the Harley factory in Milwaukee, to Nashville because I love country music, Las Vegas. Thank you retirement! I’m hopefully going to Ireland in 2022. Headstart have been very compassionate and kind and helpful since I started in 2013. Each day I get up at about 6.30, have a shower and go outside for a smoke. At 7am I go straight down to the Lake for coffee. My support workers help by cooking me food and driving me around
and doing whatever they have to do. Putting me to bed and keeping my wheelchair charged. I have seen other people’s support but they don’t compare to Headstart. I have support 24/7 which I need but sometimes I like a bit of independence so I’ll spend a half and hour wandering around Bunnings on my own and then meet them out the front after. Because I live in a holiday park I can’t have a dog or a cat. Before moving here my last dog was an Australian bull terrier. I used to have a dog Diesel who was over 70kg. Born for pigging but never went. So I thought why not have a decent size fish tank. When I was in America at Vegas they have a big aquarium in the middle of Ceasar’s Palace. And I fell in love with it there. So now I’ve got a big salt water fish tank with about nine fish, three starfish and five hermit crabs and coral I love them! My tank is 250 litres and four foot long. Thank you mum… or thank you old girl! I can't recommend Petquarters in Belmont enough for their help and knowledge.
Get to know Brenden: Favourite food: I don’t know, I’ve got no taste buds. I eat food to survive. Texture is my new taste bud and I like smooth textures. Favourite movie: Terminator 2.
Favourite band/music: My favourite artist is Garth Brooks and favourite band is Guns & Roses.
I’ve got a Foxface (pictured above) a dragonnet, three green chromis’s, and more fish.
I just love looking at them and they just calm me down. And it gives me something to be responsible for. Believe it or not I actually like my life more now than when I didn’t have a brain injury. Because I was very brain injured without even having one! Nah, life’s different but it’s like everything in life you’ve just got to deal with it. You do what you can. Deal with the things you’ve been dealt. That’s the biggest advice I can say, even with a brain injury. Make the most of it!
Brenden's support buddy Sharon put together an album of his US trip.
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Favourite sport/team: I follow the Brisbane Broncos but I don’t watch footy like I used to. Nowadays it’s Netflix or a TV series.
Favourite hobby: Go down for coffee. Happy hour. I love my fish. If you could meet someone famous who would it be? Garth Brooks or Axl Rose or even Slash. Favourite place on earth: The USA, I spent three weeks there recently.
Craziest or silliest thing you’ve ever done: No idea, I’ve done so many - before the accident.
Describe yourself in three words: I’m a boxhead. That’s three words.
Brenden's tattoo of a no. 13 in the headlights - the year he crashed.
Pet people
Miss Ink: Ricki-Lee I
used to be a hairdresser before my accident. Then on Melbourne Cup day 12 years ago my friends and I were waiting in the car at McDonalds. There were too many people in the car to begin with. The driver took off without letting me put on my seatbelt and I fell out and hit my head on the pavement. I don't remember anything about it. The next thing I remember was being at Rankin Park Rehab.
My medical treatment will never end. I'll always be someone's patient, put it that way. That's what a specialist told me once. But there have been a lot of improvements. My speech is better now and easier for people to understand. With no more saliva I'll always have a dry mouth so that makes it hard to speak clearly. My accident was in 2008 and I'm still here baby! I'll always be moving forwards, not backwards. There's no point in looking backwards. You can't change what happened, so move forward. Get on with it, live with it. It's all you can do. I'm as happy as I can be, really.
I couldn't have done it without mum. She's been a good little chook. I always make out that I'm OK and I don't want people to feel sorry for me. But when you need your mummy you need your mummy. I glad I have my family and my sisters too.
I've always liked tattoos but I do think getting this many was a reaction to how I felt people were looking at me. By getting tats they can look at them instead. Next thing I was at the Cambridge Hotel and I thought 'Stuff it, I may as well do something with it!' and I won Miss Ink Newcastle. So I was proud of that! I've got a jungle python and a pug dog. I love them both the same! I feed it rats (the snake, not the dog). One every fortnight. My sister breeds and sells snakes and lizards, her business is Hunter Valley Pythons.
My snake is a jungle python and his name is Bronx. I just like the name. If I had a child that's what it's name would be! I've had Bronx for about three years and he'll get a lot bigger than this.
They smell your scent with their tongue. If you're scared of him he'll come and bite you. He's never bitten me 'cos I'm not scared of him! Actually he's never bitten anyone, although nobody else has put their hand in his cage but me.
I have a support worker come twice a week to help with meal prep and cooking, cleaning the house which I also help with, going for walks, having a coffee. I look forward to it, it gives me something to do. Headstart have been there through my whole process of brain injury, I couldn't have done it without them.
I'm proud of myself and how far I've come. Buying a house and being independent has been really good. My advice for people is to stay strong and if you need to talk to someone about what you fear in your life make sure you do it. Stay strong, stay positive.
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A mother's perspective Meet Ricki's mum Leanne
I
remember the call I got that night at about 11pm. Her girlfriend was screaming down the phone "It's Ricki! It's Ricki!" and next the police were on the phone saying "Your daughter's been in an accident. You'd better get to hospital." And from then on it was just a nightmare. They told me they didn't expect her to survive the night because there was so much bleeding on her brain. But we were just so lucky that she did survive. After her coma she had a stroke, epileptic fits, meningitis, the list goes on. There were so many challenges.
Ricki had to learn to talk and walk again. She had several eye operations, mouth operations, gum grafts, braces, crowns. You name it she's had it. She's lost her tears too. No more tears.
Ricki's strong. She's gone through so much, but she's a happy girl, and makes the most of it. But people don't see the pain that she goes through. What she's lost in her life. It has been life changing. Not just for Ricki but for my whole family. Yeah, the brain is an amazing thing. Ricki wasn't expected to live. But she did come out of it. Just not the same Ricki that I knew. I lost that daughter that I used to have. Ricki the rebel. And now I've got this beautiful girl.
When Ricki was in her coma I used to sit with her all day every day. I said to her once "Ricki, if you come out of that coma you can get as many tattoos as you want." We always had a thing about her getting tattoos before her accident. I just didn't like them. Then I mentioned what I'd said to her a few months after the coma and now she's covered with them from neck to toe! It's hard to put into words, but people don't know what she's gone through. She'll never be the same Ricki. Her brain injury will always be there and she's just learnt to live with it. But she's lucky. I'm lucky. She's here, she's alive. And she's a beautiful girl.
Former winner of Miss Ink Newcastle, RickiLee believes that "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." Today she is covered with even more than when she won it.
"I've got no more room on my body!"
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What makes Tony tick I had my stroke on May 2nd, 2012. What caused the stroke was a piece of plaque that was in my neck that dislodged and moved into the left-hand side of my brain.
W
hat led up to the stroke was drinking, cigarettes and stress. After the stroke, I was completely paralysed on my right side. When you can’t move you are very vulnerable, you don’t understand how vulnerable you are. After day 2 in the hospital, I was begging the staff to send me to the rehabilitation hospital at Rankin Park. This is where my journey began, and I was so determined at this point I said to the Doctor I will be out of here in a week. I gave the Doctor a date and told him this is the day I will walk out of here. Rehabilitation was so so hard, but I was super keen and even asked if I could have extended periods of rehab. I was in a bubble and that bubble was to get better and get more mobile. It worked and on that particular Friday one week later I had to do a test with the physio which I passed. I then was released on the date I told the doctor and I walked out with a walking stick. I believe it is all about positive reinforcement. I believe that being a very positive person, you get
positive things back. I don’t believe in a lot of things, but I believe in myself. You can make things a lot better for yourself and live a much more fulfilled life if you believe in yourself. I find that the stroke was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I became more introspect and took life more seriously. I absolved myself from all my previous bad habits and now I am living the dream.
It has been good fortune but having said that you make your own fortune and having a stroke gave me space to re-evaluate and refocus on the important things. After hospital when I walked back into my house and sat down, I was so elated, and I was so excited. I then realized okay, so that’s done, what do I do now. This was the period where I got very depressed. I then discovered eBay when I sold a saxophone online. I thought it was pretty easy and then thought an online business will suit me and I can stay at home. I wanted to create a niche market, but the item had to be fairly portable and easy to post. I had an old watch and put it online and it sold. Then over six months, I began to teach myself how to take a watch apart, rebuild NewsLink June 2020 I Page 22
it, put back together. I then began my business of buying, repairing and selling watches.
Today I have probably sold over 6000 watches. My wife can now come home at the end of the day and say how’s your day been? Instead of saying I have sat on my ass watching TV, I can say quite truthfully, it’s been a really busy day. When I first returned home my medication bills were quite high, still are. The first stage where I thought wow this is great is when I could afford to buy my medication without having to ask for money. Having that money to do your own thing is very liberating, it’s been very good for my self-esteem. Headstart has helped me retain myself as a father to my children and it’s a wonderful thing to be able to be like a normal father, looking after his children. The best thing about Headstart is obviously the workers and that’s where the company is, without good workers than you’re not a great company. I put goals in place in my mind and I get support from Headstart for those goals. As I say to all my workers, I’m the luckiest person in the world and I believe that.
Get to know Tony What’s your favourite food? I have fads, sometimes I like steak and fish. I haven’t really got a favourite food it’s wherever the mood takes me. Favourite movie? It’s a Wonderful Life. Favourite music? Classical.
Favourite cartoon character? Popeye.
Favourite hobby? Repairing and selling watches. If you could be an animal, what would you be? Probably a rat, because I would breed a lot, then I'd die somewhere and really stink the joint out.
Which famous person would you like to meet? Christopher Hitchens, although he’s dead but he was a famous atheist who I really admired. Craziest or silliest thing you’ve ever done? I think, when I was like, seven years old. I climbed up on the garage roof with a towel. I thought I’d be a parachute and I jumped off. What are three words that describe you? Absolutely outstanding, really.
I can buy a broken watch that nobody wants for $20 turn that $20 plus the time I’ve taken and turn it into $200 to $300 dollars. Every 100 watches that I put online, I’ll sell 99 of them. So, that one watch I’ll keep for a couple of months and then redo it, tweak up the description, and sell it. So, I’ve got no watches that I haven’t sold. NewsLink June 2020 I Page 23
What’s your favourite food? Pasta and ravioli. Favourite Movie? Marital arts or action movies. Favourite band or music? Queen, Meatloaf, that sort of music. Favourite sporting team? Living in Newcastle you got to go for the Knights. Favourite hobby? Music, playing with the PCYC and Cardiff Northlakes Brass band. Driving and visiting places. Favourite place on earth? I enjoyed it down at the Snowys when I got married and also Hobart. If you could be an animal, what would you be? Probably a dog because I love dogs. Describe yourself in three words Humour, Trusting and giving things a go.
Romeo: 25 years on R
omeo has been involved with Headstart in different ways for a quarter of a century. We took some time recently to ask Romeo a few personal questions. This is his story. Emotionally the biggest challenge is mostly learning who caused my two It was a motor vehicle accident when I best friends to die on that night, and was doing St John. I had my two best not knowing. That’s what tears me friends in the car We collided with up inside. Watching the news a single another vehicle and I had the brain driver accident is alright with me but injury from that. I have no memory of when there is one, two and three the accident at all. passengers it always comes back and triggers me. What changed for you after that?
What caused your brain injury?
Not being able to work, not be able to earn your own money. The way people treat you once they know or are aware you have a brain injury. You get treated differently you get looked at differently, or you get people who walk widely around you because they’re scared they might catch it.
There are a few physical limitations on what I can do. But I’m a person that I push myself to do things. I’ve always done that. Even when I was working, I push myself to get the work done. I try not to take the easy way out. Which I think helps with the improvement of one’s injuries.
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I was down at the Brain Injury Service in Newcastle and they told me about Headstart and what they do, and that was in ‘95.
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Romeo in a nutshell
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and going strong What’s it like being independent and having your own house?
What are you most proud of since starting with Headstart?
People look at you a lot better when you say you live by yourself. They accept that a lot easier. Even though they don’t know that I have got a brain injury you tell them that “I live by myself I live independently” and they are fine with that. It’s great to be able to come and go where I want any time I want and do what I want.
I’m most proud of being involved in the Community Education Team with the traffic offender program talks that we also do for schools. We talk to people that listen. Sometimes they come up to say they appreciate what you did and what you’ve what you’re doing after what you have been through. I’ve learned a lot I’m changing my style now. That gives us, I just can’t put it in the right words to say, is a big “thank you”. That way it feels like you’re appreciated for what you have been through and what you’re trying to do to help them.
What are the main challenges relating to your injury? It is hard. Yes. To accept the challenges but I have to re-learn things as well. Because when it happened what happened I can’t change it. I have to learn to accept and deal with it as it is. That’s going to be a long process a very long process. The rest of my life.
What do you want to achieve in the future? The main thing I want to achieve is to get back into a relationship if I can. To help my kids, to give them a little bit more support.
Romeo is a keen musician, playing with the PCYC and Cardiff Northlakes Brass Band.
I enjoy going to the schools and a lot of them tend to listen. They ask you good relevant questions as well, and with the responses you get back to them it’s very rewarding.
How is Headstart helping you with What do your support workers mean to you? achieving your priorities? I have two people that come here regularly, every week. Doing the basics with cooking, learning to go out, seeing places, that’s helping me in progressing to do those sort of things. Helping me with my bills, money, which is a big plus. Because of that, without them I don’t know what I’d do. They give you a lot of understanding and acceptance in your capabilities and the things that you can do.
A lot! I wouldn’t be where I am now, my life would be totally different without Headstart. We would be six foot down or something else or in prison. Because with the lack of understanding and the outrages that we get, we can’t understand things. With Headstart they are teaching us but have also taught us how to cope with that discretion and help to manage it. We get positive answers, help from the co-workers and people from Headstart.
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NEWS FLASH: Romeo was due to represent Headstart at the 2020 Hunter Disability Expo (in April and October) but these events have been cancelled. Thanks anyway Romeo, hopefully in 2021!
An appointment with Leonie I
was just driving one day and I scratched my face. I couldn’t feel it and I thought “that’s a bit unusual.” So I told my doctor and he sent me for a CT scan, and that’s when they found a tumour as big as a peach in my head. They reckon it had been growing in my brain for ten years.
So I work every Tuesday, last two weeks it was 9am until 7pm. Lot’s of talking, lots of laughing and the ankles are a bit swollen by the time I get home, but other than that I feel great.
My husband bought me a brand new car and I’m going for my licence as I haven’t driven for four years. So they had to operate twice: they went in the front I got it modified because I’ll need a steering spinner and behind the ear. Because it was near the brain because I’ve got to steer with just the left hand stem they couldn’t remove it all. At the time of the side. So I’ve been going for lessons with a driving operations I ended up having three strokes. The first instructor and hopefully in the next couple of months operation I was affected on the right arm, but I could I’ll have my licence again. I’m nervous, but it’s just still walk. At that point I had been a hairdresser for 35 confidence I think. I drove for twenty odd years. I years and I had my own hair salon but I had to give don’t know why I lost my confidence but I have. that up. Then I had a second operation I couldn’t walk or talk after two strokes. So it’s taken me four years to Driving is one of my goals, taking my son to get to where I am now. The bleeds to the brain after both ops took away my function on the right hand side, so I’m just hobbling. It’s not as good as it can be but I’m still here. I used to need a stick but I walk too fast for a stick now!
Just last month my girlfriend who runs a salon offered me a day to help her clean up and be her apprentice and I love it!
school, going to the shops. Not to go very far, just to get out and go and visit some people and things like that. I’ve got great support from my mum and my sister who I am really close to. My husband and kids are very supportive of me too.
One of the things that changed a lot is not being able to play sport or go to the gym anymore. That’s hard. But I’ve got a spin bike at home and my sister takes me to exercise classes on a Thursday. The best thing about Headstart is the relationship that I have with the support workers. They’ve been great. Even the ones that have filled their positions when they go on holiday. I get on well with all of them and they’ve been fantastic. Some are a lot younger than me but it’s just like I’m an older sister and that’s great. I had radiation six weeks ago, so when lockdown was on it was good for me because I was tired after that and just stayed at home. My support workers had to take me to the Mater every day for about six weeks so they have been a part of my journey. My other goals are to do a good job running the household, do some cooking and baking. I used to be a very good cook. So I’m slowly getting back into making some cakes and things for the kids lunches. At the moment I’m just pottering around. My support workers are just starting to help me with this. Otherwise with I sometimes go out for a nice lunch with one of them or to the movies.
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They say good things come in threes! Say G’day to some new team staff. Co Worker
Dianne
I love helping people. I have worked for lots of charitable organisations like The Smith Family, New-Mac Community Housing, The Salvation Army and most recently for St Vincent de Paul. I have also worked at Centrelink and for a few local councils too. I have a husband, two grown up children and I am going to be a grandma in a few weeks’ time. I am very excited about this!
Get to know Dianne Favourite food: Indian, Thai, Ice cream. Favourite movie: Drop Dead Fred. Favourite band/music: Van Morrison. Favourite sport/team: Not a sports fan. Favourite cartoon character: Benny from Top Cat. Favourite hobby: I enjoy crafts of all sort. I will give most things a go! Favourite place on earth: Mossman Gorge North Queensland – nature is incredible If you could be any animal? I would like to be a tiny honeyeater. They are full of energy, always busy. If you could meet someone famous? Billy Connelly. I love to laugh! Craziest/silliest thing you’ve done: Elephant riding in Thailand, travelled by train through 3 countries, danced on tables, sung on stages, been in plays, parachute jumped! Three words to describe you: Honest, Passionate, Humorous. Describe your first month at Headstart Very nice, everyone has been welcoming and helpful and ethical – these things are very important to me.
Recreational activities coordinator
Ben
Have worked in the outdoors for my entire career, leading, guiding and teaching different recreational activities. I have been a canyon guide in the Blue Mountains, led hiking expeditions in NZ and America, and I’ve even done some alpine mountaineering in New Zealand. Aside from that I call Tassie my 2nd home, I love a bit of woodwork or tinkering in the shed, and on weekends I’ll be out riding my mountain bike!
Get to know Ben Favourite food: Eggs benny, with hollandaise of course. Favourite movie: Three burials. Favourite band/music: Flaming Lips. Favourite sport/team: Bombers in the AFL. I’m originally a southerner! Favourite cartoon character: Dangermouse. Favourite hobby: Fitting out my campervan. Favourite place on earth: Fly fishing a bubbly mountain stream. If you could be any animal? Labrador. Smiley & You get all the pats! If you could meet someone famous? Sam Simmons. Craziest/silliest thing you’ve done: Competed in a 9-day non-stop adventure race. We only slept for 12 hours total! Three words to describe you: Spicy, active, practical. Describe your first month at Headstart I'm really enjoying meeting everyone, getting to know people’s passions and aspirations-what's your dream activity!? NewsLink June 2020 I Page 27
Quality Lead
Bronwyn
I’m a born and bred Novocastrian with many years of experience working in Community Services across a number of different programs such as disability services, aged care, homelessness, housing support, direct support, administration and quality management. I enjoy being out in the sunshine, at the beach or visiting places in the Hunter. Once COVID-19 is over I plan to visit Ireland where my ancestors are from.
Get to know Bronwyn Favourite food: Hamburgers. Favourite movie: Can’t think of a movie but my fav TV series was Stargate. Favourite band/music: Elton John. Favourite sport/team: I don’t follow any particular sport or team but as a Novocastrian I do like to know where the Knights and Jets are on the ladder. Favourite cartoon character: Goofy. Favourite hobby: Making teddy bears. Favourite place on earth: The beach. If you could be any animal? A dog. If you could meet someone famous? The Queen – an extraordinary woman. Craziest/silliest thing you’ve done: Blackwater rafting in New Zealand (I’m not a fan of small spaces or caves so doing it in the dark was just silly!) Three words to describe you: Reliable, Creative, Thinker. Describe your first month at Headstart I have been busy meeting and learning as much as I can from everyone. I am excited to have the opportunity to share my skills and experience with a great team of people.
What's your flavour? Brock C went up to renowned dessert cafe Sabor in the Hunter Valley with support buddy Kim. Brock said that “it was a wonderful opportunity to get out and have dessert before lunch time... it's dessert time somewhere in the world!� He's got a point, so why not live it up! We asked them to get a photo with the dessert, but most of it had been eaten by then : )
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You have the right to complain under the Community Services (Complaints, review and monitoring) Act 1993. If you have a complaint there are steps to take. At each step, every effort will be made to resolve your complaint before going to the next step. Step 1. Talk with the person concerned
At each step you have the Step 2: Talk with Co-worker/staff member right to have someone else present if you wish. This person Step 3: Talk with Director is called an advocate and may be your friend, family member, Step 4: Talk with Chairperson staff member, paid advocate or someone else. If you wish Step 5: Talk with Committee Headstart can help you locate Step 6: Talk with an outside service an independent advocate.
NewsLink is produced by many people at Headstart ABI Services. We welcome contributions from everyone: an article, letter. photograph, poetry, etc. We also welcome suggestions as to articles that we could write about for future issues. We appreciate feedback on things like the kind of stories, size of our typeface, layout and general appearance of our newsletter. HAVE YOUR SAY on these, or any other issues by writing to us at: Headstart ABI Services 95 Turnbull Street HAMILTON NSW 2303 or email: comms@headstart-abi.com.au NewsLink June 2020 I Page 28