Maryborough gains support group

A Member Network Group will open its doors for the first time in Maryborough tomorrow, Wednesday, 13 February, offering support and assistance to people who have sustained spinal cord injuries as well as those who care for them. Facilitator Peter Kalbfell of Tinana, who sustained his injury in a car accident in 2000 and has quadriplegia, recognised a need for the Maryborough region to have its own group.

“There was no local support here for people with spinal cord injuries, so we decided to bite the bullet and start our own group,” he said.

Peter said the Spinal Injuries Association had 12 similar groups statewide that identified and address issues impacting on people with spinal cord injuries.

“The issues faced by people who use wheelchairs are diverse, ranging from problems with the ‘built’ environment, to accessing services, to issues on their health,” he said.

“We want to provide a forum for people affected by spinal cord injuries, where they can discuss matters of advocacy, personal issues, learning how to get the most out of their equipment and any number of other concerns.”

No stranger to leading groups, Peter has been a facilitator for Lifeline training groups, however this is the first time he will be providing group support directly related to people with spinal cord injuries.

Maryborough’s first Member Network Group will be held on Wednesday, 13 February at the Maryborough Neighbourhood Centre, 25 Ellena Street at 11am.

Topics of discussion for the meeting will include ‘Autonomic dysreflexia: a medical emergency that requires immediate attention’ and ‘Skin Care’.

Autonomic dysreflexia is a condition that commonly affects people with a spinal cord injury at or above T6 (thoracic cord vertebrae six and above). This condition can be life threatening and requires immediate treatment.

Guest speaker for the first meeting will be Spinal Injuries Association Client Services Manager, Frances Porter.

The group is open to all Spinal Injuries Association members, carers, family and friends as well as other relevant individuals and groups in the Maryborough region.

For more information on Spinal Injuries Association Member Networks, visit www.spinal.com.au or call (07) 3391 2044.

Issued 12 February 2008.