Peer Support

When your life completely changes owing to something as traumatic as a spinal cord injury, it helps to have someone there who has been through the same thing – someone who can say “I know how you feel” and it’s the truth.

The Peer Support program is designed to support individuals, and their families, following a spinal cord injury. Members of the program are there for people right from the start – during the early days in hospital and through the rehabilitation period. They are also there to help through the challenges of major life changes following discharge from hospital.

Our two Brisbane-based and one Townsville-based Peer Support Officers all have a spinal cord injury and are living fulfilling lives within the community. It’s their job to assure our members and clients that there is life after a spinal cord injury. While it can sometimes be a challenging job, it’s a very rewarding one.

They have experienced everything a newly-injured patient is about to face – the change in personal and family relationships, adjusting physically and emotionally to the changes to their body, modifying their home and social barriers.

Josh Lowe and Peter Harre at the Spinal Unit

Josh Lowe (left) with Peer Support Coordinator Peter Harre.

They are there to provide:

  • information
  • reassurance
  • shared experiences and challenges
  • guidance on issues that arise when returning to the community, and
  • direction to supportive links and networks in local communities.

Testimonial

James Sprenger describes how Peer Support Coordinator Peter Harre gave him hope after he sustained a spinal cord injury in April 2007.

“Peter didn’t tell me to get over what happened to me, but he made me see that I’ve been put in this situation and I can either deal with it and make the most of my life or just give up. His encouragement inspired me to overcome my personal demons and realise that I can still live a fulfilling life doing the things I love – like teaching children to play golf – I just do them differently now.”

For more information, please contact the Association.