On the last night of 2010, Dinesh Palipana was rushed to the hospital emergency room after his spinal cord was damaged in a car accident. In 2018, you can still find Dinesh in the emergency room – only this time, he’s the doctor. While his life-changing accident left him with quadriplegia, the Gold Coast University […]
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Polio survivor on mission to raise awareness of late effects
When Springfield Lakes resident Eric Rushton started experiencing fatigue, muscle weakness and difficulty swallowing, he chalked it up to part of the aging process. Despite his doctor reaching the same conclusion, Mr Rushton decided to investigate further as his condition continued to worsen. After a visit to a rehabilitation specialist, he discovered he was experiencing […]
Brisbane disability advocate welcomes NGR train decision
Spinal Life Australia member and disability advocate Bill Simpson believes the Australian Human Rights Commission made the right choice in rejecting a three-year exemption to discrimination laws to allow the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains to be put into service. Mr Simpson, a regular train user with incomplete paraplegia, welcomed today’s preliminary decision to reject […]
Spinal Life receive grant to fund essential rehabilitation equipment
Regional Queenslanders with a physical disability will be able to access state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment thanks to a $247,500 grant recently awarded to Spinal Life Australia. The funding, which was received as part of the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages program from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, will go towards purchasing equipment for the […]
Petition calls for mandatory accessibility after NGR train debacle
The State Government should introduce measures to ensure accessibility fiascoes like the New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) train design do not happen again, according to a recent petition from Spinal Life Australia. Chief Executive Officer Michael Powell said discrimination law compliance and confirming full accessibility should become a mandatory part of the process for all future […]
Spinal Life Rockhampton office now officially open
Visitors, community representatives and local members braved the recent heatwave to attend the official opening of Spinal Life Australia’s new Rockhampton office on 16 February. Air-conditioning wasn’t the only welcome feature of the new office, as Spinal Life can now offer members and clients in the region better access to face-to-face support for much-needed equipment, […]
Anti-Discrimination Commissioner finishes seven years in role fighting for disability rights
Spinal Life Australia Chief Executive Officer Michael Powell has commended Kevin Cocks AM for his seven-year commitment to fight for the rights of people with a disability as the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commissioner. Kevin, who is also a Spinal Life Australia member and has C6 complete quadriplegia, will finish in his role today. Mr Powell said […]
New Rockhampton office to offer better access to regional support
Rockhampton residents with physical disabilities will be able to access more face-to-face support with the opening of Spinal Life Australia’s new regional office. The new office will be officially opened on Friday, 16 February and is located in a new fitness and wellness centre at the corner of Kent and Archer streets. Spinal Life Australia […]
Spinal Life call for right decision in train pain debacle
Spinal Life Australia is calling upon the Australian Human Rights Commission to uphold the rights of Queenslanders with a disability with its imminent decision on the State Government’s New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains. The Commission is currently deciding whether to approve the State Government’s application for a three-year discrimination law exemption to place the NGR trains […]