Australia Post media release

Flying by the SEAT of his pants, John raises more than ever before

Sitting down, taking a seat, or sitting on the edge of our seats – we use these terms everyday, at school, at work and in the home.

But what if one day you were told your son would be in that seat for the rest of his life?

This is the situation that Australia Post Acting Postal Transport Coordinator, John Felhaber faced seven years ago when his son Tim, then seventeen, had a water-related accident which caused damage to his spinal cord, becoming a person with quadriplegia.

“When we first heard of Tim’s accident we were just stunned – shock, horror. It is something that no parent ever wants to hear,” said John.

“It was then in the hospital that the Spinal Injuries Association came and introduced themselves and explained the kinds of services and support available to us. A couple of years later, they asked if Tim would like to join the Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT) as a presenter and he hasn’t looked back.”

SEAT is a dedicated group of volunteers who tour the State with the primary objective of reducing the incidence of spinal cord injury in Queensland, especially amongst the 15-30 year age group.

All fifteen Queensland presenters have either paraplegia or quadriplegia and use a wheelchair. The program focuses on the consequences of life in a wheelchair after a spinal cord injury, and includes topics such as lifestyle challenges, the anatomy and physiology of the spine, and important safety messages.

The presenters reveal their own personal stories about how they sustained their injury – and encourage interaction with the students to foster greater disability awareness and understanding.

“For Tim, being able to promote the dangers of what can actually happen to someone, especially as a teenager when you think you’re superman – he is showing that you can be injured and it can be life changing,” said John.

The opportunity to raise funds for the Spinal Injuries Association presented itself last year when the call went out for Australia Post staff to nominate their chosen charities for a state-wide fundraising program, known as Been Seen in Red and Green, run by Australia Post staff.

John said, “What started out as a fundraising day at Christmas-time has now turned into a year-long fundraising initiative calling on Australia Post staff to support their favourite charities by holding chocolate drives, selling merchandise, hosting BBQs and decorating their PostShops and vans.

“With the charity being somewhat closer to home for me, and seeing what the SEAT program has to go through to get the equipment to present to these young people, it was an easy nomination to make.

“It can cost upwards of $7,000 to get each presenter set up, and with Tim being a SEAT presenter, we knew the difficulties that the Spinal Injuries Association can face in raising enough money for these vital prevention programs,” he continued.

“Australia Post’s fundraiser is great as it is the workers who nominate the charities, it is the workers who raise the money, and it is the workers that keep it going year after year.”

Handing over a cheque to Spinal Injuries Association CEO Mark Henley, John revealed that in 2008 Australia Post staff raised a total of $27,000 for Spinal Injuries Association – more than ever before.

“We are extremely appreciative of the support shown by Australia Post in helping us to help inspire children to be safe,” said Mr Henley.

“This generous donation will go towards our SEAT program which this year hopes to share important safety messages with up to 80,000 children at schools from Cairns to Coolangatta and out west.

“The success of the program is entirely because of our amazing presenters. They all have a spinal cord injury and share their own stories, as well as time and energy as they are all volunteers, to help keep kids safe.”

John says he’ll do it all again this year.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how much money I can raise again this year. There are always people far worse off than you, and this is my why of giving back to the community.”

For more information about other Australia Post initiatives, log onto our website.