A nasty fall in 2018 would be the start of an ongoing journey of self-discovery for Brisbane member Lachy Chapman. Mr Chapman shared his story of sustaining paraplegia as part of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, running nationally from 2 to 8 September. “Going through a trauma like that forces you to really find out who […]
News
Alan retires after a decade on the Spinal Life Australia Board
Alan Ashford has made the decision to resign from his role as Chair of the Spinal Life Australia Board as of today in completion of his 10-year term. Acting Chief Executive Officer Pauline Davis said the organisation was very fortunate to have Alan’s knowledge and experience in guiding the organisation, including his five years as […]
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week focuses on NDIS success
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, running this year from 2 to 8 September, highlights current issues impacting people living with spinal cord injury. The week is a national initiative of the Australian Spinal Injury Alliance, representing eight of the country’s leading spinal cord injury organisations, including Spinal Life Australia. After feedback from people with spinal […]
Chair donation helps people with spinal cord injuries gain travel confidence
Patients who have recently sustained life-changing spinal cord injuries can now be more prepared for airline travel when they leave hospital, with direct access to equipment that is used on aircraft. Swissport, the world’s leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling, recently donated an aisle chair to the Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Spinal […]
Townsville Mobility Map launched to chart city accessibility
Townsville City Council has launched an accessibility map for residents and visitors who use wheelchairs, using information gathered by Spinal Life Australia members. The Mobility Map was launched by Council yesterday and helps people who use a wheelchair or mobility device plan the most efficient routes throughout the Townsville CBD. The Mobility Map is easy […]
NDIS announces funding for key health and nursing services
The National Disability Insurance Scheme will now offer funding for disability-related health supports for participants from October 2019. The decision was made during the recent meeting of the Council of Australian Governments Disability Reform Council which discussed moving the responsibility of funding health supports from state-based health systems to the NDIS. From 1 October 2019, […]
Member and Board Director sadly passes away
It is with much sadness that we advise that one of our Board Directors, Ben Lawson, passed away suddenly on Sunday 24 June due to illness. Ben began his role with Spinal Life’s Board in November 2016 after being a member and client of Spinal Life since the late 1990s, and had high-level quadriplegia as […]
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission now available
NDIS participants across most of Australia now have access to an independent agency that will help improve the quality and safety of all supports and services they access under the scheme. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is now in place in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and […]
Take part in a study about virtual reality, meditation and neuropathic pain
You’re invited to participate in a new study that is being undertaken by researchers from The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University. The study involves people with spinal cord damage who experience neuropathic pain, who will be asked to interact with simulated natural environments and/or take part in meditation. Participants will need to be […]
Budget last chance for Queenslanders with disabilities to keep vital community nursing funding
UPDATE: The 2019-20 Queensland Budget announcement included $61.9 million over two years for “a temporary measure to ensure NDIS clients are able to access critical supports while interface issues between the NDIS and mainstream services are resolved.” While no further details are currently available, this is a promising announcement and we hope community nursing services […]