A German OdysseyPushing4Spire at Run MelbourneAn Evening with Kevin Coombs

14TRAVEL9SPIRE EVENTS8SPIRE EVENTS

10The Paddle Wheel Murray River Expedition

NEWSLINK

Spire is a service division of AQA Victoria

AUGUST 2016

AQA Victoria LtdABN 90 006 691 185

Address440 Heidelberg RoadFairfield Victoria 3078T 03 9489 0777T 1800 999 128F 03 9482 4371E admin@aqavic.org.auW aqavic.org.au

Postal AddressPO Box 219Fairfield Victoria 3078

Board of DirectorsChairpersonColin Daws

Deputy ChairpersonSteve Mollison

TreasurerGreg Schinck

Company SecretaryMichelle O’Sullivan

DirectorDavid Schreuder

DirectorShane Brand

DirectorJoshua Fisher

Spire NewsLink is the official newsletter of AQA Victoria Limited, and is published bimonthly.

NewsLink seeks to publish material of interest to people with physical disabilities and their families, professional workers and other individuals and organisations concerned with the welfare of those who are physically disabled.

Spire always welcomes articles for Spire NewsLink. Please feel free to send in your contribution. Articles will be published at the discretion of the Editor who also has the right to edit all submissions as it sees fit.

The opinions expressed in Spire NewsLink are not necessarily those of Spire or the Editor. Original material in NewsLink can be reproduced only with permission from the editor. Donations towards production costs are greatly appreciated.

Information in Spire NewsLink is furnished solely as a guide to the existence and availability of goods or services.

Copyright © Spire. All rights reserved.

/ CONTENTSINFORMATION

5 Did you know – Free postage stamps

RESEARCH

6 Bowel Management Study

SPIRE EVENTS7 Upcoming Events

7 SCI Regional Network Groups Round-up

8 An Evening with Kevin Coombs, OAM

9 Pushing4Spire at Run Melbourne 2016

RECORD-BREAKING EVENT

10 The Paddle Wheel Murray River Expedition

PARALYMPIC GAMES

13 2016 Rio Paralympic Games

TRAVEL

14 A German Odyssey

NDIS

16 NDIS Roll Out Dates in Victoria

/ REGULAR FEATURESADVERTISEMENTS4 Active Adaptive by Splittbacks

4 Steps Neurological Therapy Services

4 Glenn Moore Units Tasmania

JOKES PAGE

18 Various Jokes

CLASSIFIEDS

19 Various items for sale and items for free

August 2016 2

Volume 30: Number 04 / August 2016

.org.au

HIGHLIGHTSWelcome to the August issue of Spire NewsLink.

Spire hosted An Evening with Kevin Coombs, OAM at the Darebin Arts Centre in Preston. With over 120 guests, it was a resounding success and an inspirational journey through Kevin’s sporting, professional and personal life. Please turn to page 8 to find out more about the evening and Kevin’s exceptional life achievements.

Fast becoming a Spire annual tradition, this year’s Run Melbourne Pushing4Spire fundraising event was another brilliant success and a fun day out for everyone involved. Please turn to page 9 for a recap of the day.

Adventurist Dave Jacka became the first quadriplegic to paddle a kayak 2,226 kms down the Murray River from Lake Hume to the sea. Please turn to pages 10–12 to read a summation of Dave’s amazing 89 day record-breaking journey.

In September 2015, 80 year old incomplete quad Ruth Wilson set out on an epic journey to Germany to not only take in the sights but also visit her eldest daughter. Please turn to page 14–15 to read about her extensive trip.

Finally, below are this year’s contribution deadlines for the upcoming editions of NewsLink:

October 1st October 2016

December 1st December 2016

FROM THE CEO \

August 2016 3.org.au

As we approach the 2016 Paralympics in Rio 7th – 18th September, allow us the indulgence of acknowledging a Paralympian close to our hearts.

Those of you who know Naz Erdem – Team Leader of our Spire Service Division, will know that he often enjoys a healthy level of banter about his international rugby prowess with his workmates and those members of the SCI community who know him well. Along with his family and friends, these are the people who keep Naz grounded. By way of example on his return to AQA following the success of the Steelers, Australia’s wheelchair rugby team at the London games, Naz was Knighted by our staff, Sir Nazim Erdem of Roxburgh Park. You get the picture.

Underneath this gentle banter lays a deep respect for Naz, in part for his many achievements on the international stage but mostly for the way Naz quietly goes about his business.

Rio will be the 5th Paralympic campaign for Naz. He is the most capped wheelchair rugby player for Australia with over 260 international appearances. He has represented Australia at Paralympics, World Championships and the preceding qualifying events held around the world. In his particular position within the team as a 0.5 point player, Naz continues to be acknowledged in international all-star teams announced after key tournaments.

Naz has had to work particularly hard to earn his spot on the team as people start to look at the miles he has on the clock, so his recent performance in Canada and subsequent inclusion in the team bound for Rio is a special achievement.

AQA also acknowledges the other Victorian athletes from the spinal cord community who will represent Australia in the wheelchair rugby in Rio. Congratulations Jason Lees,

Josh Hose, Ben Fawcett, Andrew Harrison and Jayden Warn.

We will be following the fortunes of the Steelers and the Paralympic team and we look forward to the coverage to a community that recognises and respects the essential humanness of the Paralympic games.

Peter TretheweyChief Executive OfficerSpire, AQA Victoria Ltd, Qualcarepetertrethewey@aqavic.org.au

August 2016.org.au4

INFORMATION

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Call Steps on 03 9568 5611 today to arrange an appointment

For all the latest at Steps, check out ourwebsite: www.stepstherapy.com.au

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5.org.auAugust 2016

SUPPORTING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH A SPINAL CORD INJURYMaking a bequest...

Bequests provide a legacy to an organisation you already support or want to support in the future. Making a bequest to AQA in your will is a meaningful way of supporting people with spinal cord injury. All bequests help strengthen the services provided by AQA that promote independence, quality of life and inclusion of people with disabilities in the community.

If you have included AQA in your will, or you are considering making a bequest to AQA we would love to hear from you so that we can acknowledge your support.

We would also like to include you on our list of supporters who receive our bi-annual supporters newsletter that provides an update of our services, the year’s events and other activities that AQA is involved in that support people with spinal cord injury.

If you would like more information about making a bequest to AQA please contact Peter Trethewey CEO or Robyn Canning Executive Assistant on 03 9489 0777.

SpinalHub is a community website for people with spinal cord injury in Victoria and throughout Australia.

SpinalHub covers a wide range of subjects related to spinal cord injury including:

• What is a Spinal Cord Injury?; • How to Keep Healthy; • Support, Equipment & Funding; • Work & Leisure; • Transport & Travel; • plus much more.

The SpinalHub website can be found online at www.spinalhub.com.au and by registering free members can comment on articles, upload images and receive access to the forum.

SpinalHub TV is a collection of ‘how to’ online videos that feature people from the spinal cord injury community in Victoria. The short 2-3 minute videos provide practical and safe advice with the aim to help people get back into life after a spinal cord injury. Go to www.youtube.com/spinalhub to view the full list of online videos.

INFORMATION

Did you know – Free postage stampsIt’s a well-kept secret, but Australia Post offers five free postage stamps each year to pensioners, health care card holders, seniors and veterans. The same people are eligible to buy up to 50 stamps each year at 60 cents per stamp (reduced from $1).

To apply for the freebies and discounts, fill out a MyPost Concession form at any post office or online www.auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/concession-stamps.html.

August 2016.org.au6

Bowel Management StudySpire Information Officer Wayne Bradshaw recently interviewed and posed a few questions to a participant in the Bowel Management Study conducted at Austin Health.

1. How do you think the study will benefit people with a SCI?I think people with a SCI would benefit greatly from this study. If the study is successful then it would significantly reduce the time taken to complete your bowel management regimen.

2. What attracted you to take part in the study?My attraction to the study was to be part of something that could have a huge impact on people living with a SCI and to be initially involved in something from the beginning.

3. What advice would you give people thinking about being involved in the study?Just do it. Researchers need participants so that we as a SCI community can all benefit from the outcomes. The more

participants involved the better.

4. What was involved in your experience?An initial one hour screening check to make sure you’re suitable for the study, followed by four overnight stays (1 weekly x 4 weeks) where you have regular ob's and bloods taken on the drug administration day, then two follow up one hour appointments. The hours are flexible where possible and my experience was made easy by the professionalism of the 3 North staff and researchers involved in the trial.

5. What outcome would you like to see from the study?I would really like to see the trialled drug be successful so it improves the bowel management regimen for people

with a SCI by significantly reducing the time it takes.

6. Do you think that the bowel routine will be a much shorter process in the future because of your experience?I really think it will. I know that for some people with a SCI, a quick bowel management regime is high on the wish list.

7. Is there better products e.g. enimas etc. that will make the whole routine much shorter?I’m not sure as I’ve only used suppositories. However, if I can take a pill and then after 30–45 minutes I was completely empty it would greatly improve my independence and quality of life. I would be up and about quicker to get on with enjoying my day. Also, for those who are on a daily bowel regime they could possibly move to second daily routines with the reduced risk of bowel accidents.

Bowel Management StudyThe Bowel Management Study is testing the safety and effectiveness of a new drug to facilitate emptying the bowel of spinal cord injured people. This study will be conducted at Austin Health, Melbourne.

Many spinal cord injured people lose voluntary control of bowel function: this means they are unable to open their bowel when they wish, and often have bowel accidents. For some people this is a devastating problem.

A new drug has been developed that stimulates the defaecation centre in the lower spinal cord, which remains intact after cervical or thoracic injury. A trial to assess the safety and tolerability of the drug has previously been completed at Austin Health.

They are currently seeking participant’s aged 18–60years, who have sustained a SCI above T12 within the last 1–10 years. The study drug will be administered in tablet form to potentially assist the participant’s current bowel management regimen.

Participants will be required to attend Ward 3North at Austin Health on several occasions.

For further information or enquires please contact Melinda Millard on 03 9496 5906 or melinda.millard@austin.org.au (This study has been approved by the Austin Health Human Research Ethics Committee and is funded by the ISCRR)

RESEARCH

7.org.auAugust 2016

Upcoming Event Date Time Location

Ballarat Regional Network - Pain Management – Dr A Sinclair

25th August 2016 10.15am – 2.30pm North Ballarat Sports Club725 Creswick Road. Ballarat

Ballarat Regional Network -Pain Management – Dr A Sinclair

1st September 2016 10.15am – 2.30pm North Ballarat Sports Club725 Creswick Road. Ballarat

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week (SCIAW)

5-11 September 2016 TBA TBA

Shepparton Regional Network 7th September 2016 11am Shepparton Senior Citizen132 Welsford St, Shepparton

Ballarat Regional Network 20th October 2016 TBA TBA

Ballarat Regional Network 24th November 2016 TBA TBA

What’s Out There day (WOT) 7th December 2016 11am – 4pm Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Unit

Ballarat Regional Network 8th December 2016 TBA TBA

SCI Regional Network Groups Round-upBallarat’s SCI Regional Network group Ballarat has been quite active throughout the year and have facilitated a variety of sessions including health, well-being and educational seminars with frequent catch-ups in between. The group is holding a two-day Pain Management workshop, presented by Dr Andrew Sinclair, during September at the North Ballarat Sports Club (see above for time and dates). If you’re interested in attending (family & friends are welcome) please contact Spire at info@spire.org.au or 03 9489 0777.

Chronic pain is an unavoidable reality for many people with physical disabilities, and therefore the group workshop aims to help

better understand the cause and nature of pain, usual responses to pain, conditions that increase or decrease pain and techniques to better manage pain.

The Bendigo SCI Regional Network group has also been invited to partake in the two-day Pain Management workshop.

Shepparton SCI Regional Network GroupSpire is holding a start-up meeting for the Shepparton SCI Regional Network group on Wednesday 7th September 2016 at the Shepparton Senior Citizen Centre. The meeting will commence at 11am with catering provided.

The aim of the Shepparton Regional SCI Network is for SPIRE

to bring together and become partners with locals who have SCI or an interest in SCI. Together we can formulate agendas that matter to you and that are important to your community.

The network will also provide an opportunity to connect with others, share stories and ideas, solve problems together, socialise, and also get information on the latest equipment and policy developments such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and new developments in SCI management & research.

Come along and help steer your group in the right direction.

Please RSVP by Wednesday 31st

August for catering purposes (friends & family welcome).

SPIRE EVENTS

August 2016.org.au8

An Evening with Kevin Coombs, OAMOn Wednesday, July 6, 2016, Spire hosted An Evening with Kevin Coombs, OAM at the Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre in Preston. With over 120 guests, it was a resounding success and an inspirational journey through Kevin’s sporting, professional and personal life.

Kevin Coombs is a proud Wotjobaluk Elder, former Paralympian and an advocate and role model for the Australian basketball, spinal cord injury (SCI) and Indigenous communities. The evening gave us the privilege to listen to stories shared by Kevin about his lived experiences along with the stories of those close to him as they were interviewed by Professor of Indigenous Health Education at University of Technology Sydney (UTS), John Evans.

Alongside Kevin, the panelists included his eldest daughter and Indigenous community leader, Janine Coombs, and former basketballer, Campbell Message. AQA peer-support volunteer, Mario D’Cruz introduced the night, describing his experiences and affirming the power of peer-support and mentorship that is reflected in Kevin’s achievements and contributions.

The audience was blown away by the warmth and inspiration in the room as Kevin and the panel shared candid, moving and humorous stories about his exceptional life; including his sporting, professional and personal experiences and the challenges he has overcome throughout his years.

We were led on a journey through Kevin’s captivating life; beginning

with his early childhood in Wemba-Wemba country, around Swan Hill, to the tragic loss of his mother at age five which resulted in relocating to Balnarald, NSW, with his four siblings. At age twelve, Kevin’s life took another dramatic turn when he sustained a spinal cord injury in a rabbit hunting accident.

Treatment and care for people with SCI was, in those days, much less sophisticated and the lack of medical advancement and understanding led to Kevin developing bedsores on his backside, so severe that he had to live on his stomach for twelve months.

When the Spinal Injuries Unit was established at the Royal Austin in Melbourne in 1957, Kevin was one of the first patients. Here, he was introduced to wheelchair sports as part of his rehabilitation. The athletic skill and determination displayed by Kevin led him to compete in five Paralympic games, including the first ever games in Rome in 1960.

As well as coaching junior wheelchair basketball teams and inspiring young athletes, Kevin’s off-the-court life has seen him make significant contributions to the Australian Indigenous community. Kevin’s community leadership includes establishing the Koori Hospital Liaison Program

as part of managing the Koori Health Unit, and acting as the ambassador for the National Indigenous Strategy of Literacy and Numeracy.

Kevin’s list of achievements and contributions to the SCI, Indigenous and sporting communities are numerous and significant. His commitment, generosity and determination in pushing others to triumph over their obstacles, achieve their goals and live life well has not gone unnoticed.

Kevin’s power as a role model was summed up by Campbell Message, who was coached and mentored by Kevin while competing for Victoria in the Junior National Wheelchair Basketball League. He said, “In a society that often saw people with disabilities as less, or sick, or not being able to have a normal life (job, family, etc.), role models who smashed this mould were like gold!”

Spire would like to extend a big thank you to Kevin and Janine Coombs, Professor John Evans, Campbell Message and Mario D’Cruz as well as all those who attended. A special thank you also, to Maurice Blackburn Lawyers for generously sponsoring the event.

SPIRE EVENTS

9.org.auAugust 2016

SPIRE EVENTS

Pushing4Spire at Run Melbourne 2016Looking resplendent (and conspicuous!) in their bright orange Spire t-shirts, team Pushing4Spire braved the wintry morning on Sunday, July 24 to compete in Run Melbourne 2016. While chilly, they were blessed with mostly blue skies and no rain! Fast becoming a Spire annual tradition, this year’s Run Melbourne was a brilliant success and a fun day out for everyone.

The day started early with Pushing4Spire team members Jude and Caroline taking part in the 10km race; Jude becoming an instant social media star, leading out the field in the 10km event.

Other participants Pradeep, Antonio, Anthony, Peter, Sandra, Michelle, Maddison, Cameron, Mark, Jayne, Susana and her son, Aaron each completed the 5km course. Anthony, in his power chair, taking off like a rocket to break away from the pack!

As well as achieving goals and setting some personal bests, team Pushing4Spire raised funds to continue to grow and develop Spire’s peer-support projects, services and resources.

Team Pushing4Spire consisted of Spire and AQA staff, peer-support volunteers, mentors and family and friends from the Spire community.

Congratulations and thank you to all who Pushed4Spire at Run Melbourne 2016 by participating, donating, providing event support and cheering the team on!

There is still time to donate!

• Make a tax deductible donation directly to Spire via our website at www.spire.org.au/donations.

• Make a tax deductible donation to any member of team at https://runmelbourne2016.everydayhero.com/au/pushing-for-spire-2016.

August 2016.org.au10

The Paddle Wheel Murray River ExpeditionAdventurist Dave Jacka became the first quadriplegic to paddle a kayak 2,226 kilometres down the Murray River from Lake Hume to the sea. The 89 day expedition, which started on the 1st March 2016, was a mammoth undertaking which tested the bounds of Dave’s mind and body each and every day. Below, Dave provides us with a wonderful and insightful summation of his record-breaking journey.

Paddling 2,226km over 89 gruelling days down the Murray River was a personal adventure to test my physical and mental limits and capabilities.

The journey started on 1st March 2016 at Lake Hume near Albury in NSW, paddling down to the Murray Mouth where it enters the sea at Goolwa SA, finishing on 28th May 2016.

Initially, I thought of writing about the challenges the team faced on the river: the support boats hitting snags, getting bogged on gravel and sand bars, breaking props, almost sinking our punt and equipment, the land crew getting lost and the near-disaster of running out of ground coffee.

I thought also of chatting

about the wonderful sights and experiences of the Murray River: the changing landscape from clear water flowing around green high-country hills to the brown upside-down river snaking its way through the dry dusty plains where life is hanging on for grim death, to its merging into vibrant and flourishing wetlands full of diverse wildlife. There were the monolithic sandstone cliffs rising out of the flat landscape like walls of a medieval fortress, with birds and plants thriving in the crevices as it stretches into the never ending distance.

Picture the spectacular sunrises and sunsets of the Mallee, the brilliance of the reds, mauves, oranges and yellows, transforming the sky into a

magnificent light show.

I could also have written about how privileged I felt to share this adventure with such an amazing group of people as we talked about our experiences around the camp fire at night, or how lucky I felt to live in a world where I had the opportunity to float silently past quizzical kangaroos taking a morning drink, or cockatoos screeching bush songs, in the soft morning light.

Instead, I would like to share; very briefly, some of the experiences that changed the way I see my own capabilities, which have lead me to reconsider “What are my limits?”

Firstly, to put things in perspective, I have C5/6 complete quadriplegia, the standard type: no fingers (only wrist extension), not a skerrick of tricep (makes it hard to pick your nose lying in bed), no function from my armpits down and I can’t regulate my body temperature – in the heat I cook, in the cold I freeze, like a reptile.

For this expedition, I modified a sea kayak extensively - developing outriggers to stop it rolling over, using a sip/puff system to steer the rudder, and taped my hands to the paddle.

From day one, my carefully laid plans went out the window. I felt sick looking at the forecast - high 30’s indefinitely – it actually lasted 17 days. Instead of 2 three-hour sessions, before and after lunch, I could paddle only in the morning until the heat

■ continued on next page

RECORD-BREAKING EVENT

The never ending rugged Murray cliffs are like walls to a fortress

11.org.auAugust 2016

became unbearable. My first really big test came on Day 8 when crossing Lake Mulwala. After stopping 6 km short in the morning when high winds turned the surface from glass to a ‘washing machine’, we returned to the water at 6pm that evening (I probably should have thought this through more). Thankfully the wind had dropped, but it was a blistering 39 degrees with no shade. It was painfully brutal! With Trev, my Support Kayaker, constantly spraying me down, in a daze I slowly crossed the last section. Like a scratched record the voice in my head kept saying, “This is a really bad idea, this is a really bad idea!” At 8pm we finally made it. I called the ground crew “We’re ready. Bring ice!”

Reaching Mildura the flow had stopped. The river became a 900km long lake to the sea. With no flow to help, my planned daily distance of 30 km over 6 hours of paddling turned into 8 hours as we pushed further into the

remote wilderness, the land crew often struggling to find us and with the constant fear of getting stuck on mud tracks if it rained.

Making it to Renmark was a huge psychological milestone. With just over 500km to go it felt like I could finally see the light at the end of the very long tunnel. This time was the toughest mentally. All I could think about was getting to the end, and we still had a month to go. To get through it, I had my constant goals - focus on the bow of my kayak, watch

my GPS speed, will my arms to keep going, and try to ignore the constant hyperreflexia sweats from my sore bum and feet and the unique experience of pain with each paddle stroke from an infected blister on my hand, as each kilometre slowly, very slowly, ticked by.

The Murray had changed from a narrow snaking river with high banks to long wide sweeping bends, with low banks providing little shelter from winds reaching up to 40km/hr. On one occasion, paddling as hard as I could, I was going backwards at 2 km/hr, the only recourse was to jam ourselves in some reeds and wait for a lull to start paddling again.

To make up precious time we pushed ourselves, travelling 13 days straight from Waikerie to Wellington, the last town on the river before the formidable Lake Alexandrina. In the back of my mind I was always thinking about crossing the lake, now it was reality and I was just hoping we had enough time to get across.

■ continued from previous page

RECORD-BREAKING EVENT

■ continued on next pageDave paddling in the early morning sunrise

Dave & Trev attempting to paddle across Lake Mulwala in 39°C

August 2016.org.au12

Most people we spoke to said “Don’t cross it, it’s too risky, stop at Wellington!” After paddling almost 3 months and 2,150 km I wasn’t going to stop 76 km short of the finish.

Unable to go straight across in one go like many ‘able-bods’ (I don’t have the speed or bum-endurance), so over five days paddling on and off, held up by crappy cold, wet and windy weather, we finally reached the sea on Day 89.

To see the breaking waves at the Murray Mouth was a feeling of excitement and pure relief. It was hard to believe I had actually done it.

I started this journey to test my physical and mental limits, to see what I was capable of achieving (and, as it turned out, enduring). What I didn’t realize was that even before I

started, I had already set limits on myself. Unable to control my body temperature, I figured I wouldn’t be able to paddle in over 30 degree heat. If the wind exceeded 25km/hr, I wouldn’t paddle as I don’t have the strength to push against it. Even though I had been training for the past year, paddling 4 – 6 hours, four days a week, I wasn’t sure if I could paddle my planned 6 hours a day, 6 days a week. I remember saying to Linda, my wife, in a disheartened moment “You know, I think I’ll only be able to do 4 days in a row!”

Losing time with the hellish heat early in the trip, I realized that if I wanted to achieve my goal I had to forget about what I thought my limitations were and push myself as far and hard as I could, no matter what the conditions were or how I felt.

Then something remarkable

happened the further I went. I paddled in 39 degrees on Lake Mulwala and survived. I battled against 40km/hr winds near Morgan in SA and won. Pushing the limiting thoughts of pain and tiredness out of my mind, my body unrelentingly chugged away paddling 8 hours a day for 13 days straight.

All of my preconceived limitations never really existed - except in my mind.

I believe that what limits our potential is ourselves, what we believe we are capable of doing. By keeping an “open mind” to possibilities, being willing to give things a go, to try different solutions, and being willing to push ourselves as far and hard as we possibly can - whether physically, intellectually, or mentally - I believe we can propel ourselves past our own perceived limitations, and achieve far more than we could ever imagine.

Editor’s note: If you want to see details of Dave’s kayak modifications, please visit his website at http://davejacka.com/adventures/modifications/..

RECORD-BREAKING EVENT

■ continued from previous page

A physically exhausted but emotionally elated Dave at the Murray Mouth after his 2,226 km gruelling paddle

13.org.auAugust 2016

PARALYMPIC GAMES

2016 Rio Paralympic GamesAs we count down the days to the Paralympic Games, we talk to Spire’s Team Leader Nazim Erdem, who will be representing Australian for the fifth time in Wheelchair Rugby at Paralympic games. The Wheelchair Rugby team are aiming to back up their gold medal winning performance at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

The Rio Paralympic Games, held from 7-18 September 2016, promises something special to all Australian sporting fans. It will be the pinnacle for elite athletes with a disability from around the globe involved in 22 different sports.

I’m extremely excited and proud to represent my country in Wheelchair Rugby. This will be my fifth Paralympic Games but the excitement is pretty much the same as it was when I took part in my first Paralympic Games. Oh yes, the butterflies are still there.

We are currently ranked number 2 in the world, behind the USA. The top eight ranked teams in the world will be fighting for gold (USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, Great Britain, Sweden, France, Brazil). The team has been training very hard and playing well leading up to the games. We are the reigning Paralympic and World champions but that won’t count for anything in Rio. We are confident that we can do very well but at the same time we aren’t complacent because we are up against tough competition and some very skilled teams. Ever since we won gold at the 2012 London Games, we have been targeted by other teams. Our opposition have been studying us thoroughly, including our strengths and weaknesses as well as tactics.

The rugby team has four new players since the 2012 London

games, with seven Victorians selected in the team:

• Nazim Erdem (VIC) • Josh Hose (VIC) • Jason Lees (VIC) • Matt Lewis (VIC) • Ben Fawcett (VIC) • Andrew Harrison (VIC) • Jayden Warn (VIC) • Ryley Batt (NSW) • Cameron Carr (NSW) • Andrew Edmondson (NSW) • Chris Bond (QLD) • Ryan Scott (QLD)

The Paralympic Games will be a huge event with a total of 4,350 athletes from 176 countries competing in 22 different sports. Australians will compete in 15 of these sports.

Captains of the Australian Paralympic Team, Daniela Di Toro and Kurt Fearnley will lead the Australian team, which is made up of 170 athletes, and of these 44 are Victorians.

NewsLink readers may also recognise the following names of other Victorian

athletes who have SCI; • Richard Colman (Athletics) • Samuel McIntosh (Athletics) • Jemima Moore (Athletics) • Emma Booth (Equestrian) • Luke Cain (Shooting) • Daniela Di Toro (Table Tennis) • Josh Allison (Basketball) • Jannik Blair (Basketball) • Dylan Alcott (Tennis) • Heath Davidson (Tennis)

As with the warm-up event (the Olympic Games), Channel 7 will be providing an unprecedented 14 hours of live coverage each day.

I hope that you will be watching my team’s progress along with all the other Australian athletes competing. My first game will be against Great Britain on the 14th of September (11.30pm AEST). If you’re interested in our schedule, you can find it here at http://iwrf.com/?page=iwrf_news&id=530.

Hopefully I’ll get to write an article for the next issue about my experience in Rio. If you’d like to know more about the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, please have a look at the official website at www.rio2016.com/en/paralympics.

August 2016.org.au14

A German OdysseyRuth Wilson is an 80-year old incomplete quadriplegic who uses a manual wheelchair as a result of an accident in 1980. Ruth recently travelled to Germany and has documented her extensive trip to share with us.

In September 2015, my daughter Kerri, carer Rhonda and I set out on an epic journey to Germany to visit my eldest daughter, Jenni, who lives near Frankfurt. We flew Singapore Airlines business class requiring the extra comfort and attention. They were reported to have wheelchair accessible toilets - which turned out not to be the case as Rhonda had to crouch down in front of me to discreetly empty both my bags into a bucket secreted in a backpack.

On boarding and leaving the aircraft I was hoisted into an aisle chair to fit into the narrow passageways. The airport staff wheeled me to and from the terminals. On the second stage of the flight the attentive flight attendants made up a bed for me and heaved me into it so that I managed several hours sleep.

On arrival at Frankfurt we hired a Skoda sedan and explored the city. There I experienced the first discomfort of being bounced over the ever-present cobblestones. Making our way to the city centre we admired the facades of the restored medieval style buildings

with their criss-cross lattices, then proceeded to the ‘Goethehaus’ where the poet and playwright Goethe was born and raised. I could not access every room but saw enough to satisfy. We spent that night at the Hilton. Before leaving, Flight Centre Bendigo ensured all my hotel rooms had wheelchair facilities, which they did.

The next day we drove to Hessenpark. The open-air museum was founded in 1976 - buildings relevant to the historical German state of Hesse were erected which included shops, barns, windmills, churches, blacksmith forges and workshops of all kinds spread over 65 hectares. We did not see all of it and of course there were more cobblestones! The second night was spent in a hotel at Giessen.

Jenni took us to the Schloss (Palace) Heidelberg. Originally built in the 13th century it is now a ruin having been sacked, looted and destroyed by fire over the centuries. We inspected the world’s biggest wine cask and strolled around the lovely gardens with their cascades, grottos and statues-all accessible. Access was generally good although there were a few inaccessible shops.

Next day was one of the highlights of our travels - a cruise down the river Rhine from the town of Rudesheim to Bacharach - a beautiful, original medieval

settlement. Boarding the cruiser we had to descend a steep ramp. Rhonda was grasping my wheelchair but gravity prevailed and the chair began speeding down, gaining momentum until I was rescued by two stalwart crew men. During the cruise we viewed with awe the many ancient castles, monuments and extensive vineyards producing fine Rhenish wine. At Bacharach the cobbled streets were lined with decorative medieval houses, shops and taverns.

On our return we moved onto the old town of Marburg - untouched by wartime bombing. We explored its old-time precincts, ascending by lift to the cliff of Altestadt. As this was the only rainy day, our roaming was restricted.

We next drove to the Edersee Dam - the scene of the spectacular bombing by British bombers during WWII which was made into the movie The Dam Busters - the bombs were skidded along the dam surface destroying the wall. On the way we paused at the Schloss Wilhelmshohe to gaze at the unclothed statue of Hercules on its pinnacle. During the drive we appreciated the green neat pastures, cornfields and farms of the German countryside.

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15.org.auAugust 2016

The hotel at Marburg, The Rosen Park, was a luxury resort, completely accessible where we enjoyed the fine wine, cuisine, the basement spa and pool.

The final stage of our ‘Odyssey’ was four days in the German capital, Berlin. Before leaving, our travel consultant suggested it might be interesting to travel there by train and booked our seats on Carriage 5. We drove to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (train station) and were hoisted up on a complex mechanical ramp into Carriage 6 being told our booked seats were inaccessible. There was a good size accessible toilet for my ‘empties’.

Once in Berlin, we stayed at the Hotel Novatel having two full day tours booked. The only problem was the high seats in the tour vehicle. The driver had to lift me up, with my companions grabbing my arms and legs to assist.

We had a knowledgeable tour guide who took us to more places than there is space to describe: Checkpoint Charlie - the main gateway between the two Berlins during the Cold War 1961-1990; the remnants of the Berlin Wall now covered with artwork and

graffiti; the famous Brandenburg Gate - I always longed to see; the Reichstag - site of the former German parliament. When we lunched outside a café, we found a locked disabled toilet inside, we asked for the key but were told the owner kept the key at home! As usual, we found a discrete alcove.

The second day highlight was the Schloss Charlottenburg - built by Friedrich I between 1695 and 1713 as the summer residence of his wife and based on the French palace of Versailles. The entrance was a flight of steps but as we approached a side door opened and a ramp put down. The baroque decorated rooms were “an extravaganza in stucco, brocade and opulence” and impressed us greatly. We also wandered through the equally impressive gardens.

Next was the Olympic Stadium where the 1936 Olympic Games were held and where Hitler refused to recognise the successes of the African-American athlete, Jesse Owens. Other landmarks we saw were: the Bismarck Memorial; the Victory Column commemorating Prussian victories; the Holocaust Memorial consisting of concrete slabs of varying shapes and sizes; a memorial to the Gypsies killed by

the Nazis and the site of Hitler’s last bunker now covered by a carpark. We completed our tours of the city at the Alexanderplatz (shopping centre), buying souvenirs and gifts for family and friends.

On our second last day Jenni took us via U-Bahn (underground railway) to the Neues Museum to inspect its large, impressive collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts - the centrepiece being the 3000 year old bust of Queen Nefertiti. The interior of the museum was also impressive with halls, cavernous alcoves and ceilings covered with hieroglyphics and frescoes, crouching lions, jewellery and sarcophagi (coffins).

Our final day required a 3am awakening, a pick-up to the Berlin Airport and a one-hour flight to Frankfurt Airport then the long flight home to Melbourne via Singapore. There was one final hitch - my wheelchair missed the Singapore connection and was sent on a later flight. The airline organised a delivery to my door in Bendigo later that night, lending me an airport chair in the interim.

It was a wonderful experience and I surprised myself and others with my fortitude and resilience during this amazing journey.

TRAVEL

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August 2016.org.au16

NDIS Roll Out Dates in VictoriaIn Victoria, the NDIS will be rolled out across the state with existing service users and new participants entering the scheme progressively. People currently receiving support through the Victorian Government will move to the NDIS at different times depending on where they live and the type of support they receive. It is expected to take up to 12 months for eligible people with a disability to enter the NDIS once roll out starts in an area.

The first stage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Victoria began in the Barwon region on 1st July 2013.

From 1st July 2016 the NDIS will begin to be available across other areas of Victoria. The NDIS will be made available progressively across the state over the next three years.

Call NDIS on 1800 800 110 for further information.

Roll out of the NDIS in metropolitan Melbourne – Interactive mapPlease use the following map to find out more about when the NDIS is arriving in your area.

Melbourne metropolitan areas: • Bayside Peninsula • Brimbank Melton • Hume Moreland • Inner Eastern Melbourne • North Eastern Melbourne • Outer Eastern Melbourne • Southern Melbourne • Western Melbourne

North Eastern Melbourne: from 1 July 2016The North East Melbourne area covers the local government areas of:Banyule, Darebin, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Yarra

Inner Eastern Melbourne: from 1 November 2017The Inner East Melbourne area covers the local government areas of:Boroondara, Manningham, Monash, Whitehorse

Outer Eastern Melbourne: from 1 November 2017The Outer East Melbourne area covers the local government areas of:Knox, Maroondah, Yarra Ranges

Hume Moreland area from 1 March 2018The Hume Moreland area covers the local government areas of:Hume, Moreland

Bayside Peninsula: from 1 April 2018The Bayside Peninsula area covers the local government areas of:Bayside, Frankston, Glen Eira, Kingston, Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip, Stonnington

Southern Melbourne: from 1 September 2018The Southern Melbourne area covers the local government areas of:Cardinia, Casey, Greater Dandenong

Brimbank Melton: from 1 October 2018The Brimbank Melton area covers the local government areas of:Brimbank, Melton

NDIS

17.org.auAugust 2016

Western Melbourne: from 1 October 2018The Western Melbourne area covers the local government areas of:Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Moonee Valley, Wyndham

Roll out of the NDIS in regional Victoria – Interactive mapPlease use the following map to find out more about when the NDIS is arriving in your area.

Regional Victoria areas: • Central Highlands • Goulburn • Inner Gippsland • Loddon • Mallee • Outer Gippsland • Ovens Murray • Western district

Central Highlands: from 1 January 2017The Central Highlands area covers the local government areas of:Ararat, Ballarat, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Moorabool, Pyrenees

Loddon: from 1 May 2017The Loddon area covers the local government areas of:

Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mt Alexander

Inner Gippsland: from 1 October 2017The Inner Gippsland area covers the local government areas of:Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Latrobe, South Gippsland

Ovens Murray: from 1 October 2017The Ovens Murray area covers the local government areas of:Alpine, Benalla, Indigo, Mansfield, Towong, Wangaratta, Wodonga

Western District: from 1 October 2017The Western District area covers the local government areas of:Corangamite, Glenelg, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians, Warrnambool, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack

Goulburn: from 1 January 2019The Goulburn area covers the local government areas of:Greater Shepparton, Mitchell, Moira, Murrindindi, Strathbogie

Mallee: from 1 January 2019The Mallee area covers the local government areas of:Buloke, Gannawarra, Mildura, Swan Hill

Outer Gippsland: from 1 January 2019The Outer Gippsland area covers the local government areas of:East Gippsland, Wellington.

NDIS

August 2016.org.au18

Police vs MePolice: where do you live?

Me: with my parents

Police: where do your parents live?

Me: with me

Police: where do you all live?

Me: together

Police: where is your house?

Me: next to my neighbour’s house

Police: where is your neighbour’s house?

Me: if I tell you you won’t believe me.

Police: tell me

Me: next to my house

DEA OfficerA DEA officer stops at a ranch in Texas, and talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, “I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs.”

The rancher says, “Okay, but do not go in that field over there,” as he points out the location.

The DEA officer verbally explodes saying, “Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me.” Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the rancher. “See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish.... On any land… No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?”

The rancher nods politely, apologises, and goes about his chores.

A short time later, the old rancher hears loud screams and sees the DEA officer running for his life chased by the rancher’s big Santa Gertrudis Bull......

With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer, and it seems likely that he’ll get gored before he reaches safety. The officer is clearly terrified.

The rancher throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs.....

“Your badge... Show him your badge!!”

NothingWife to husband: “And what are you going to do today?”

Husband: “Nothing.”

Wife: “But that’s what you did yesterday.”

Husband: “I know, but I didn’t finish it.”

Short Jokes • I always keep an empty milk bottle in the fridge, just in case anyone has black coffee.

• My therapist said I have a preoccupation with vengeance. Well, we’ll see about that.

• Have you heard about the cannibal that passed his brother in the forest?

• How did the hipster burn his mouth? He sipped his coffee before it was cool.

• Someone threw a lump of cheese at me. I thought to myself, ‘That’s not very mature.’

• Why was Tigger looking in the toilet? He was looking for Pooh!

• Can a kangaroo jump higher than a house? Of course, a house doesn’t jump at all.

• I’d like to buy a new boomerang please. Also, can you tell me how to throw the old one away?

• What should you put on the tomb stone of a mathematician? He didn’t count with this...

• It is so cold outside I saw a politician with his hands in his own pockets.

FortuneFred was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business. When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed a wife with which to share his fortune.

One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away.

‘I may look like just an ordinary man,’ he said to her, but in just a few years, my father will die, and I’ll inherit $20 million.’

Impressed, the woman obtained his business card and three days later, she became his stepmother.

JOKES

19.org.auAugust 2016

CLASSIFIEDS

FOR SALETiLite Manual WheelchairTi-Lite ZR Series 2; satin frame finish; non-folding titanium backrest; 4” front wheels, frog legs; 25” Spinergy LX wheels; 13” seat width; 15” seat depth; TI footrest w/flat ABS cover NCO; cost $6,000.Price: $2,500Phone: 03 9473 0133 (Tim) (7/16#a)

LINDS WheelchairLINDS Self Propelling Wheelchair.Price: $100Phone: 03 9408 4642 or 0424 710 446 (Michael) (5/16#a)

Mobility Plus WheelchairMobility Plus manual wheelchair.Price: $100Phone: 03 9408 4642 or 0424 710 446 (Michael) (5/16#a)

Commodes (x2)Not self-propelling; 1 commode has recline function; good condition.Price: NegotiablePhone: 03 9408 4642 or 0424 710 446 (Michael) (5/16#a)

Manual WheelchairNo name, generic Self-propelling, easy fold, wheel chair (as new); item to be collected from Murrumbeena.Price: $50Mobile: 0411 745 800 (Ursula) (5/16#a)

TiLite Manual WheelchairTiLite titanium lightweight wheel chair; item to be collected from Murrumbeena.Price: $4,450Mobile: 0411 745 800 (Ursula) (5/16#a)

Pride Go Pro Electric ChairPride Go Pro lightweight fully portable electric chair with information manual; item to be collected from Murrumbeena.Price: $ 1,875Mobile: 0411 745 800 (Ursula) (5/16#a)

Quickie Plus 6 Electric Chair16” x 16” seat size; PG R-Net 90Amp LED controls; joystick mounted RHS; vehicle tie downs; 50 degree tilt; Jay J3 backrest; - Quadtro select high profile 9 x 9 Cells Roho; Whitmyer Lynx headrest; Gel Ovations armrests pads; excellent condition.Price: $6,500Mobile: 0418 373 966 (Lino) (05/16#a)

Mobility Plus Wedge WheelchairBrand new Mobility Plus Wedge 18” wheelchair.Price: $1,800Phone: 03 9722 1026 (Wayne) (03/16#a)

Magic Mobility Powerchair “Frontier”Mid wheel drive; tilt in space; adjustable backrest; fold up footplate; swing away controller; new tyres on drive wheels with liquid tyre sealant; vehicle anchor points; battery charger.Price: $1,950Mobile: 0429 846 290 (Laureen) (03/16#a)

FOR SALE2007 Toyota Alphard AX Auto Accessible VanSilver; 4 cylinder petrol aspirated 2.4L; 4 speed auto; rear wheel drive; beige interior; reg till October 2016; 58,417 km; RWC.Price: $36,000Phone: 03 9722 2867 (Stepanka) (07/16#a)

2003 Mercedes Vito 112 CDI VanDiesel; Auto; twin turbo; 208,000 kms; 11 months rego; raised roof; high side door; restraints; ramps; lowered for safer wheelchair access; very good condition.Price: $8,000 onoPhone: 03 9397 7676Email: jan.stewart67@me.com (07/16#a)

ABI FX LoaderAll parts included; robotic arm wheelchair stowage; suits rigid frame manual chair; stows chair in rear of vehicle; suits cars with high rear door; 25kg load capacity; cost $14,000 new.Price: Make an offerMobile: 0438 369 103 (06/16#a)

2000 Subaru Outback AWDCobalt Blue; Indicators and brakes on single hand control; A1 mechanically; Few minor scratches but NO dints; comes with Wymo lift but needs fitting; Reg till Nov 2016; 213,000kms, RWC.Price: $4,500Phone: 03 5256 1723 (Michael) (06/16#a)Email: bluedawn.888x@gmail.com

2006 Kia CarnivalSilver colour; 81,000 kms; Very good condition; Serviced regularly; rear entry to front passenger position; includes rear passenger seat.Price: $16,500 onoPhone: 03 5192 4461 (Ron)Email: rhallam@wideband.net.au (04/16#a)

1990 Mercedes 300ce-24v CoupleHand controls; 12 months reg; RWC; 180,000 kms; great condition.Price: $8,000 onoPhone: 03 9038 8890 or 0414 715 591 (Nathan) (04/16#a)

2005 Citroen BerlingoManual gearbox; silver grey colour; new tyres; 42,500kms; regularly serviced and in excellent condition; reg till March 2017; cost $47,496.Price: $12,000Phone: 03 9481 8573 (Brian)Email: bstaff@optusnet.com.au (03/16#a) W

2002 Citroen Freewheeler BerlingoHeritage green; 5speed manual; air-con; 3 seats plus wheel chair; 1440mm headroom in rear of vehicle; smooth riding air suspension; vehicle lowers down for easier loading; retractable locking wheelchair restraints; CD player with controls accessible to wheelchair occupant; 101,000 km; one owner; very good condition.Price $15,500Mobile 0409 212 842 (Jeni) (12/15#a)

August 2016.org.au20

SUPPORTING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH SPINAL CORD INJURYMaking a donation… (Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible)With community support Spire continues to make a difference in the lives of people who sustain spinal cord injury and for the family that support them. You can provide support with a donation. By Phone – please ring Spire on 03 9489 0777 and have your credit card details available. (Mastercard, Visa, American Express)By Mail (cheque or credit card) – fill in the slip below and send with your cheque to:AQA Victoria LtdP.O. Box 219Fairfield VICTORIA 3078Name: (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms) Address: Suburb: P/Code: Phone Number: Mobile: Email: I’d like to donate: $

Card Type: Visa Mastercard Amex

Card Number: Expiry Date:Name on Card:Signature:

CLASSIFIEDS

MORE CLASSIFIEDS ON PAGE 19For a full list of classifieds and items for free, please visit www.spire.org.au/classifieds or contact us on 03 9489 0777 or info@spire.org.au.

ITEMS FOR FREERoho Cushion CoverBrand new still in the bag; 20.5in x 18.5in.Mobile: 0439 010 464 (Con) (08/16#a)

Quantum 6000 HeadrestMobile: 0439 010 464 (Con) (08/16#a)

Quantum Rehab Electric ChairIncludes tray, head-rest and charger; 105cm H x 76cm W x 112cm D.Mobile: 0400 830 444 (Dean) (05/16#a)

Roho Cushion and CoverBrand new; 58cm x 56cm x 10.5cm.Mobile: 0400 830 444 (Dean) (05/16#a)

Jay CushionBrand new; 51cm x 51cm.Mobile: 0400 830 444 (Dean) (05/16#a)

Over-bed Grab Bar192cm H x 76cm W x 73cm D.Mobile: 0400 830 444 (Dean) (05/16#a)

Qualcare is a division of AQA Victoria Limited and is an industry recognised provider of high quality personal care services. For over 20 years Qualcare has delivered personal care and support throughout the state of Victoria to people with a disability, injury or illness in their homes and communities.

T 03 9482 4373F 03 9482 7933W www.qualcare.org.auE qualcare@aqavic.org.au