AMPUTEE SUPPORT ASSOCIATION

SUNSHINE COAST INC.

P.O. Box 1374, BUDERIM QLD 4556

NEWSLETTER

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President:                                            Brian Poulter                                       0411499488

Secretary:                                            Debbie Murr                                       5478 9286

Treasurer:                                            Bob McClintock                                  5443 4561

Committee Members:

Joy Laxton                                          5442 1860

Graham Flatters                                  5477 1818

Welfare/Liaison                             Brian Poulter                                       0411499488

Newsletter Editor               With thanks to the Office of Mark McArdle, Member for Caloundra

Contact                                              Debbie Murr                           debbie@amputeesupport.net.au

Website                                             www.amputeesupport.net.au

Patrons:

Fiona Simpson MP                                                                                         5443 7995

Member for Maroochydore

Jarrod Bleijie MP                                                                                            5478 1189

Member for Kawana

Clinics by Appointments Only

Nambour Clinic – 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For Appointment Telephone: (07) 3636 7286

Currimundi Clinic, Coora Street, Currimundi – 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For an Appointment telephone:  3266 1255

Disclaimer:  The material contained in this publication is in the nature of general comment only and never purports, nor is intended to be advice on any particular matter.

Readers should not act or rely upon any matter or information contained or implied by this publication without taking appropriate professional advice which relates specifically to their particular circumstances.  The Association expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person whether an Association member or note, who acts or fails to act as a consequence of reliance upon the whole or part of the publication.

Incoming President’s Report

Welcome and thank you for your vote of confidence. I would like to thank the committee and members for giving me this opportunity to serve as President of the Sunshine Coast Amputee Support Group.

I have big shoes to fill … Cliff had always been a huge personality, a quiet achiever of many causes and an absolute gentleman who only had good intentions for the service of others.

I hope I can continue his good work with the support of the committee and members in providing the required services to our existing members and to those who may need our services in the future.

I would like to encourage you to offer your thoughts with regard to funding and support for future equipment and support needed. Please feel free to contact us with any ideas by email on debbie@amputeesupport.net.au.

Brian Poulter

Secretary’s Report, AGM August 2016

Another year has flown by, hard to believe it’s been 2 years since I became Secretary. I’m still as busy as ever.

Sadly, we lost 4 members this year. Van Van Altena, Michael Berry, Bob Brown and our much loved President, Cliff Hargreaves.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we cancelled lunch at Cocos in September.

We had our Christmas lunch at Mooloolaba Bowls Club 13^th December 2015. 58 adults and 4 kids joined us and enjoyed the day.

I had 1 week’s holiday in Honolulu and Hawaii in February, with 2 of my best friends. We had a great time doing a lot of sight-seeing, eating and drinking. We did a lot of walking and of course, had to do some retail therapy.

Our Easter raffle started 10^th to 12^th March. This week was a bit quiet, probably because we were near the newsagency, that was closed for renovation.

Cliff passed away 20^th March and we had to continue our Easter raffle 22^nd to 24^th March. I must admit, that was pretty tough. Thank you very much to everyone who supported us by selling the tickets.

Thank you to Maureen for helping me make a lot of phone calls. I was happy to run away from the phone to visit family for Easter.

We had our first lunch at North Shore Tavern 29^th March. There were 25 of us to enjoy the free lunch. Unfortunately, the coffee machine packed it in so we couldn’t have our caffeine fix. Some of you enjoyed a cup of tea.

Cliff’s funeral service on the 31^st March, was a full house, at Gregson and Weight Caloundra. The numbers showed how well known and loved he was.

We had a “Walk for Cliff” on the afternoon of 6^th April. This was organised by Terry, an Occupational Therapist from Caloundra Hospital.

Our Treasurer, Bob McClintock had surgery in April. I must admit, I found myself getting a bit stressed with receiving phone calls from hospitals and trying to organise equipment etc. Lucky it wasn’t a very busy time.

Thank you very much to Brian Poulter for taking care of welfare. Between us, we have managed to keep things going. Grahame Flatters, Frank Connolly and Stephen Barbe have also offered to help with equipment. Peter Williams, Brian Poulter, Stephen Barbe and Robyn Boxsell offered to do hospital visits.

We are relying on team work to keep the association running smoothly. I can’t thank you all enough for being willing to help out.

I must also thank Chris Price for selling raffle tickets at our meetings, Joy Laxton for printing, stapling, folding and posting our newsletters and Ruth Jones for ordering and picking up fruit trays for our meetings.

Membership is being taken care of with Grahame Flatters, thankyou Grahame!

To our Treasurer, Bob McClintock, thank you very much for your support and good humour. You are always good for a laugh!

Lastly we had our Christmas in July on the 24^th July at Mooloolaba Bowls Club.

56 adults and 4 kids attended and we were very well looked after by the staff, who do an amazing job.

Thank you to you all for supporting me. I’m willing and able to give another year to the Association. We owe it to Cliff and Bill to keep the Association going, and we will.

Regards, Debbie

Upcoming Events

ü Free lunch at The North Shore Tavern Tuesday 13^th September 12 noon

698 David Low Way, Pacific Paradise, for members and their driver

ü General Meeting Tuesday 20^th September 10am at Education Centre, Hibiscus Retirement Resort, Lakehead Drive, Chancellor Park. Stay for a cuppa and a chat

ü General Meeting Tuesday 18^th October 10am at Education Centre, Hibiscus Retirement Resort, Lakehead Drive, Chancellor Park. Stay for a cuppa and a chat

ü Christmas Lunch Sunday 4^th December 12 noon Mooloolaba Bowls Club

NO GENERAL MEETING DECEMBER AND JANUARY

News

Marc Burton was born with a clubed right foot and had many operations throughout his younger years, with Dr’s attempting to correct the foot.  This however didn’t slow Marc down and he was always involved in sport at school,finding cricket to be very rewarding.

At the age of 14, whilst working, Marc was run over by a truck in the loading yard, and unfortunatly his clubed right foot took the full weight of the truck’s skidding wheel.  In and out of hospital for up to a year, the Dr’s were able to make his damaged foot look like a foot again but he was never going to be able to weight bare properly on it and there was a real chance Marc would require crutches or a walking stick for the rest of his life.  After much discussion with the Orthopedic Surgon, Marc made the decision to have his right leg removed below the knee.

Once healed, Marc was back into playing A Grade indoor and outdoor cricket and swimming laps at the local pool.  He always jokes that he lobbied the local council to put in a round pool as due to only kicking with one leg, he swam in circles.  Cheeky bugger!

Work, marriage and kids came along, which saw Marc let his sport and exercise fall away.  4 years ago however, Marc joined a Gym and found his love of exercise again through, of all things, running up mountains!  Lots and lots of hours were put into training and Marc decided he would be the first amputee to compete in “The King of the Mountain” race at Pomona.

There was a lot of media interest in Marc around this time which saw him in the papers, radio and T.V.  To date, Marc is still the only Amputee to compete in this race.

After completing “King of the Mountain”, Marc was asked by the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce if he would like to compete in “Tough Mudder”.  This is a crazy 20km race which sees competetors diving into ice baths, crawling under electric wires and jumping off high towers into a dam, just to name a few of the outrageous obsticles.

This was NOT what a prosthetic leg was made to withstand, so after much consultation with Devet from SOS Prosthetics, Marc’s leg was made as waterproof as possible and taped on to ensure it wasn’t lost in the water.  Again, Marc attacked this race and finished in a very acceptable time of 3 hours.

After this, Marc took a break from heavy exercise for a while as his body was very knocked around from all the running etc.  Then a late night phone call from Cliff asking him if he would like to go to a try out day with theMooloolaba “No Limits” Outrigger Canoe Club.  Marc loved it and was hooked.

3 months later, Marc competed in the nationals championship and placed second

In February 2014, Marc severed the tendon in his thumb, putting him out of paddling for 14 weeks.  Eventually he slipped back into a canoe and trained like crazy, on the water, in the gym and with a personal trainer.

His goal was to compete in the Nationals in october and hopefully qualify for the Worlds in March.  At the Nationals Marc won both the 200mtr and 500mtr sprints, he is the current national champion. This qualified him to  compete in the World sprint championships in March. It was a very proud day the day his Australian Shirt arrived in the mail, not many people can say they have worn the Green and Gold and represented their country. Even more training was now required, and Marc stepped up to the challenge as always with a grin and dogged determination.

Again the media showed a lot of interest in Marc and he again got his 5 min of fame, using the time to promote the fact that you can do anything if you just put your mind to it.  Marc competed against the best in the world and was only beaten by Patric from Tahiti taking out the Silver in both the 200mtr and 500mtr sprints.

Watch this space, I don’t think it’s the last we have heard from Marc Burton.

News

100 years of prosthesis: How war amputees have driven design innovation

774 ABC Melbourne

By Clare Rawlinson

Between minefields, booby traps, gunshot wounds and tropical infections, the loss of limbs is an inevitable part of war.

But an amputation is no longer the life sentence it was after World War I thanks to dramatic advances in prosthetic technology.

At the Caulfield hospital in Melbourne’s south-east, some of the earliest prostheses used by veterans are kept in a small display cabinet, showing just how far things have come over the past 100 years.

The hospital was established as one of Australia’s first military rehabilitation hospitals and has treated amputee veterans since 1916.

Back then a split tree trunk with some leather straps was the best offering for a replacement leg, but over time veterans demanded better.

“A lot of the big advancements have happened because of war,” Jim Lavranos, senior clinician at the Caulfield prosthetic ward, said.

“Essentially after World War II, the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association formed because of the drive from amputees to upgrade components.

“That’s when the initial impact in innovation happened.

“Since then it’s taken [later] wars to boost the prosthesis to the next level.”

In the 1950s, major strides were being made in prosthesis, and amputation surgery was progressed with the help of muscle transplant technology.

The introduction of the hinged knee was followed by a major international investment in biomechanics during the 1960s.

After another wave of amputees from the Vietnam War, scientists and clinicians went further and began to develop prostheses with the aim of mimicking the natural gait.

“You do get these influxes of amputees coming back, and they’re not geriatric or paediatric amputees — these are active, driven individuals who want their prosthesis to do almost as much as their sound limb,” Dr Lavranos said.

Modern trends in prosthesis

Dr Lavranos said the buzzword in the prosthetic industry today was “embodiment” — where the amputee is so at ease with their prosthesis that it becomes part of their physical and personal identity.

Still, he said patients’ responses to amputations and their interaction with a prosthesis was a highly personal experience.

In fact, the collection at the Caulfield hospital only exists because veterans’ family members returned the prostheses when they were no longer needed, not wanting to throw the important artefact away.

News

Stepping Out with Kayla Woods

First Published 2008

© Limbs 4 Life Inc.

www.limbs4life.org.au

Our daughter Kayla was born with a condition called Tibial Hemimelia – an abnormality of the tibia bone. Her femur and tibia were joined at the thigh, appearing as a bone split into two parts. She was also missing a knee joint, her fibula was short and her foot was clubbed. We discovered her condition about 19 weeks into my pregnancy, but the doctors were unsure of the cause.

Kayla’s leg was amputated above the knee on 1 February 2007 at the Royal Children’s Hospital; she was two years’ old. We considered it a blessing that there was no chance of a leg reconstruction – the decision of whether or not to amputate was made for us.

Thankfully, Kayla recovered more quickly than expected and was home three days after her operation.

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SUNSHINE COAST INC.

P.O. Box 1374, BUDERIM QLD 4556

Special Edition NEWSLETTER

Farewell Cliff 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Secretary:                                            Debbie Murr                                       5478 9286/0416 042 735

Treasurer:                                            Bob McClintock                                  5443 4561

Committee Members:

Joy Laxton                                          5442 1860

Graham Flatters                                  5477 1818

Welfare/Liaison                             Brian Poulter                                       0411 499 488

Newsletter Editor               With thanks to the Office of Mark McArdle, Member for Caloundra

Contact                                              Debbie Murr                           debbie@amputeesupport.net.au

Website                                             www.amputeesupport.net.au

Patrons:

Fiona Simpson MP                                                                                         5443 7995

Member for Maroochydore

Jarrod Bleijie MP                                                                                            5478 1189

Member for Kawana

Clinics by Appointments Only

Nambour Clinic – 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For Appointment Telephone: (07) 3636 7286

Currimundi Clinic, Coora Street, Currimundi – 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For an Appointment telephone:  3266 1255

Disclaimer:  The material contained in this publication is in the nature of general comment only and never purports, nor is intended to be advice on any particular matter.

Readers should not act or rely upon any matter or information contained or implied by this publication without taking appropriate professional advice which relates specifically to their particular circumstances.  The Association expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person whether an Association member or not, who acts or fails to act as a consequence of reliance upon the whole or part of the publication.

Secretary’s Report 

Our Easter raffle went well this year. Thank you very much to everyone who bought and sold tickets. One of our members sold the winning ticket to his niece. Second prize went to Wurtulla and third prize to Parrearra.

Sadly, Cliff passed away 20^th March. Thanks to Maureen for helping me make a lot of phone calls. The numbers at his funeral service showed how well liked he was in the community.

We had our free lunch at North Shore Tavern 29^th March. Everyone enjoyed their meal, it was unfortunate the coffee machine decided we didn’t need a caffeine fix that day. Tea was next best for those that wanted it.

A ‘Walk for Cliff’ was organised by Terry, one of the Occupational Therapists from Caloundra hospital on 6^th April. Together these amazing staff raised $168.05 for the Amputee Support Association. Well done and thank you all very much. Terry is hoping to make this an annual event.

Membership fees of $15 each are due 1st July 2016. To pay by direct deposit, please use your name as reference. Bank account details: Amputee Support Association Sunshine Coast Inc. BSB: 084 756 Account: 631 195 916 or post cheques to Amputee Support Association S/C Inc. PO Box 1374, Buderim Qld 4556

Our AGM is at our general meeting Tuesday 16^th August 10 am. Please let Bob or myself know if you want to nominate for PRESIDENT, Secretary or Treasurer.

As Secretary

I thought it would be nice to dedicate this newsletter to Cliff, after all he has done for the association. I first heard about Cliff when Mum was at Caloundra hospital for rehab in 2006. I remember hearing about this nice man Cliff, who had 1 leg amputated. He left a newsletter for her to read. I got to fill in the membership form for both of us, so I could take her to the meetings at Chancellor Park.

“Little did I know I would end up being secretary.”

Nothing was too much trouble for Cliff.

From amputees, carers and their families, I have realised everyone thought “you were worth your weight in gold”

Welfare Report

There have been no hospital visits since March.

Brian took a wheelchair to a patient at Sunshine Coast Private Hospital to go home. He was able to pick it up a week later when he got his own.

One of our members borrowed a 16 inch lightweight wheelchair and was so happy he got us to order one to buy for himself. Much easier for his wife to lift in and out of the car. I delivered the new one and picked up the borrowed one.

A scooter loaned to one of our members packed it in. Brian had a look at it and took it to Arthur at Aids to Independent Living. It needed new batteries and has now been returned.

Thank you very much to our members who have put their hand up to keep this organisation going. We owe it to Cliff!

Upcoming Events

ü General Meeting Tuesday 21^st June 10am at Education Centre, Hibiscus Retirement Resort, Lakehead Drive, Chancellor Park. Stay for a cuppa and a chat

ü General Meeting Tuesday 19^th July 10am at Education Centre, Hibiscus Retirement Resort, Lakehead Drive, Chancellor Park. Stay for a cuppa and a chat

ü Christmas in July Sunday 24^th July 12 noon at Mooloolaba Bowls Club.      Meals are subsidised by the association, Adults pay $15 each and children pay $10 each. Come along and talk to members just like yourself. We’ll have a raffle on the day, but no Christmas gifts. Reply to Debbie 0416 042 735 or email debbie@amputeesupport.net.au by 13th July, with numbers and dietary requirements

ü General meeting and AGM Tuesday 16^th August 10am at Education Centre, Hibiscus Retirement Resort, Lakehead Drive, Chancellor Park. Let Bob or myself know if you want to nominate for PRESIDENT, Secretary or Treasurer. Stay for a cuppa and chat.

ü Free lunch for members and their driver at North Shore Tavern Tuesday 13^th September 12 noon 698 David Low Way, Pacific Paradise

Vale Cliff Hargreaves

All members were saddened indeed to learn that our esteemed and much loved President, Cliff Hargreaves, had passed away.

Cliff served in the capacity for 14 years, having previously been Vice President assisting our Founder Bill Platten.

Cliff manifested a natural talent and ability for this very important role. He was an enthusiastic and inclusive leader, with a caring and compassionate nature, who endeavoured at all times to serve the best interests of our association and all of its members. He was respectful of and attentive to the culture of our organisation and he fostered and developed the ideals of Amputee Support in a positive and conscientious manner.

Cliff possessed those qualities of heart and mind which inspire others. He was a universally popular, warm, friendly generous and sincere leader who conducted the affairs and operations of our Association in a highly efficient manner. He was widely admired and respected by all who were fortunate to have known him.

He also displayed a great sensitivity and awareness in recognising his obligations to the wider community and he discharged those obligations in an exemplary fashion.

He will be very sadly missed. We extend to Cliff’s daughters, Linda, Alison and Gail our heartfelt sympathy and most sincere condolences.

Bob McClintock

My friend Cliff… by Maureen Price
Hi everyone, it has been a great honour and privilege to have worked with Cliff over the past 13 years. When I first took over as Secretary, Cliff was a member of the Executive Committee and Arthur Phillips was President. Just after the next AGM (where Bill Plattern was re-elected as President) my father’s health took a turn for the worse so I resigned as Secretary and headed down to Melbourne. When we returned from Melbourne Bill had resigned and Cliff was now President and my resignation had never been accepted so I was still Secretary. Thus began my close working relationship with Cliff.

He was our President, Welfare Officer, Equipment Loans Officer, general go-to person, Mr Fix-it. He did the work of six people and asked for nothing in return. He was the driving force behind the Association.

It was nothing for me to receive two or three phone calls a night. Any of you who have been with him on a committee would know what I am talking about. Cliff genuinely cared about each and every member. If he thought there was a way to help them then he would move ‘heaven and high-water’ to do so. He would drop everything to deliver equipment to the hospitals so that a patient could go home, or organize a new battery for somebody’s scooter, or visit someone in hospital who was about to or who had just lost a limb, or just be there if you needed someone to talk to.

The time and effort that he would put into our annual raffle at Kawana Shopping Centre was amazing. The planning would start 6 months earlier with booking the stall, then we had to do the raffle tickets. He would organize the prizes (which his lovely daughter, Gail, would create for us), working out the roster for our members to man the stall was so time consuming and then for the full six days we were selling the raffle tickets there he was all day, every day. Of course Cliff, Bob McClintock and my husband, Chris, found ways to amuse themselves – Cliff turned out to be a very active and vocal member of the “fashion police”. This would keep them entertained for ages.

Even though he was our President, to Cliff we were all part of his family. He would worry about you like you were one of his own children. I remember once my sister, Kathleen, was driving by herself down to Melbourne and he would ring her every evening to see if everything was OK. He rang me one evening most concerned because he couldn’t get in touch with her. I told him not to worry, she was probably somewhere where she didn’t have any mobile phone reception and if something was wrong we would soon hear about it. The next day we heard from her that she had been at Dunedoo and had no mobile reception. Well, did he read her the riot act … ‘If she had no reception she should have rung from the motel, or found a pay phone or even gone to the police. She should have let one of us know she was OK’. Oops, yes Dad!

He cared about each and every one of us. His concern was genuine towards everyone – he made no distinctions. He has been a very strong advocate for obtaining the best for amputees. Above all, Cliff has been a friend to all of us, and he will be sadly missed. Maureen Price

Cliff Hargreaves a friend, support and Silent Super Hero!

Everyone knows Cliff was a great man; honest, reliable, lovely and generous, but you might not be aware of Cliff’s superhero status. He may not have worn a cape or his underwear on the outside, but had the amazing ability of coming to the rescue of someone in need! Many a time on the rehabilitation ward at Caloundra, we’ve been caught short.

Stuck in a tricky situation, trying to find equipment to help someone return to their home after their amputation, whether it be a wheelchair, slide board, commode or a stump support. The wait time from government funded equipment is exhausting and often our patients can’t afford to hire equipment. Just short of sending out the bat signal, we’ve called Cliff, on his home number no less, to see if he can help out. Not only has he and the Amputee Support Association been able to help out with equipment people can borrow at no charge, he was kind enough to drop everything and deliver it to the hospital or the patient’s home…. Saving the day!

Not that I wish to cause him any trouble, but Cliff has also come to the aid of other patients who have not had an amputation, but had an equally difficult time trying to access equipment so they can leave hospital and go home… Cliff’s kind generosity helping again!

Generous yes, but the more astounding aspect of Cliff was his kind nature and amazing ability to support and council people when they needed it most. An understanding ear and supportive shoulder to those who have come to experience amputation first hand. He would visit most in the hospital; a lovely manner with people, offering support and understanding that may come from being an amputee himself.

Respected by staff and patients alike, we will miss Cliff ‘our Silent Superhero’, but we will not forget him. Plans are for an annual ‘Walk for Cliff’, along the Currimundi Lake in his honour and to raise money for his Amputee Support Association.

Sarah Fitzhenry

Physiotherapist

Caloundra Hospital

Alexander Clifford Hargreaves- Eulogy

Alexander Clifford Hargreaves was born at home on 27^th February 1929 at Redcliffe. He was the first child of Alec and Elsie, named after his father, he was always called Cliff or Cliffy.

Cliff’s father was a builder, in 1929 the great Depression started and by 1930 Alec had no more homes to build. Life was tough, but it was about to get tougher.

In June 1931, Cliff walked through the remains of a bonfire which was still smouldering. He badly burnt both feet and was rushed to the doctor.

For the next seven days his father took him to the doctor or the doctor went to the house. On the eighth day he was so distressed that his parents got the ambulance to take him to hospital in Brisbane. He was even baptised as they thought he was going to die. Several days later Alec was informed Cliff had lost all his toes.

Cliff stayed in hospital for 11 months and came home with both feet bandaged. He suffered from foot ulcers for the rest of his life. He wore oversized sandals and could walk well enough with his feet bandaged.

After a few stints in hospital Cliff started school in 1935. He walked a few kilometres each way to Humpybong School, which he liked. Eventually he got a bike so he could ride and regularly rode to the beach after school to soak his feet in the salt water.

In 1941 they moved to Toowong so Cliff didn’t have as far to travel to high school. He joined the Boy Scouts, this occupied his life for the next 18 years.

Cliff often said he wanted to be a doctor but financially that wasn’t possible. He left school in 1945 and started an electrical apprenticeship in 1946. At the end of 1948 he went to a Scout Jamboree in Victoria where he helped in the medical tent. One of the doctors took him to see a specialist in Melbourne, who was a leading plastic surgeon. He looked at Cliff’s feet and gave him a letter to a surgeon in Brisbane.

The surgeon agreed to operate when Cliff finished his 4^th year exams. In November 1949 Cliff went to the General Hospital in Brisbane, where they attempted to graft skin on to his damaged feet. He stayed for seven months but unfortunately the whole operation was a failure and he returned to work in June 1950, with no improvement.

At the end of January 1951 Cliff completed his apprenticeship and was sacked the day he finished. He eventually went to work for another business. He was still heavily into scouting and was in the first Brisbane Gang Show. In July 1953 his boss sold him the business and AC Hargreaves Pty Ltd was born. He moved it under his parents’ house but struggled to get it up and running.

In December 1953 he met Margaret Tudhope at one of the Rover-Ranger dances. He said she helped him pull the business into shape, with better bookkeeping and before long he had six employees. They married in 1956 and settled in Indooroopilly, in 1958 Linda was born. In 1959 Cliff was having trouble with his feet and he left the scouts and the Gang show. He and Margaret moved the business closer to home in 1960.

By 1962 his right foot was giving him a lot of trouble, badly affecting his health and he made the decision to have it amputated. He was back at work in three weeks with Margaret driving him there each day. Frustrated by this arrangement, Cliff and Merv Braithwaite modified the Austin A40 so he could drive himself. Five months later he had an artificial leg fitted. In 1963 Alison was born followed by Gail in 1965.

In 1968 Cliff and Margaret built the house at Currimundi and spent nearly every weekend there. In 1974 the Brisbane floods devastated many parts of the city and the business worked 12 hours a day, six days a week for four months trying to get industry going again. The following year the business built a new workshop at Seventeen Mile Rocks. In 1986 Cliff sold the business and retired after 41 years in the trade and 33 years in his own business.

Cliff and Margaret travelled to Cape York and around the top end, Birdsville across the Simpson Desert to Ayres Rock, which Cliff climbed. After another trip to Cape York, Cliff joined the Amputee Support Association. In 1996 Cliff and Margaret towed a caravan around Australia for 4 ½ months.

Cliff not only helped amputees but also became involved with Neighbourhood Watch, Friends of Lake Currimundi and Clean Up Australia Day.

Cliff and Margaret celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on the Indian Pacific in 2006. In May 2007 Margaret was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed in February 2008, after 51 years of marriage.

Gail had moved back home to care for Margaret and stayed to look after Cliff. Cliff’s health had its ups and downs, he had two minor strokes in 2013 and had a pacemaker fitted in 2014 for an irregular heart rhythm. Sadly, Cliff passed 20^th March 2016.

Currimundi pays tribute to tireless Cliff Hargreaves

THE Currimundi community has paid tribute a “true gentleman” and a “wonderful man”.

Cliff Hargreaves died after a brief illness aged 87.

Dozens shared their sadness at Cliff’s death on the Daily’s Facebook page where followers said there were too few who would give to the community the way Cliff did.

“The assistance he gave to amputees was beyond amazing,” Tania Burton said.

“Don’t let his passions die with him.

“Volunteer to make a difference where you can.”

Jacinta Hateley said Cliff’s dedication to keeping Lake Currimundi tidy was without comparison.

“There should be more people like Cliff in the world,” she said.

“He literally did it nearly everyday for the past year I knew him.”

The thoughts of many were with Cliff’s loved ones.

“(He was) such a beautiful man who gave so much,” Jennifer Nichols said.

“He will be missed.”
Tributes to Cliff

Jenny Lane: “Such sad news. Such a lovely man that lived, loved and cared for his Currimundi community and coast. He will be sadly missed.. RIP Cliff… xx”

Barbara Pullin: ”God Bless Cliff and may you RIP.”
Tracy Bange: ”Cliff, your friendly smiling face and kind and generous spirit will be greatly missed from the neighbourhood (and the lake every afternoon).”

Lauren Marsh: ”That’s sad. He was a lovely bloke. I’ve done a few clean up Australia days down at the lake with him.”

Russ Jill Mitchell: “Oh that’s so sad he was a lovely gentleman. RIP Cliff x”

Mikaela Stringfellow: ”I miss you so much pop; it’s easy to see how much of an impact you had on not only my life but everyone else around you. You will forever be in my heart, I love you.”

Emma Meyer: ”You will be sadly missed around Currimundi Cliff. Always smiling, a great man R.I.P”

Gabriele Haase: “God bless you Cliff Hargreaves….and have a good journey home… in my thoughts. He was an angel without wings to take care on mother earth.”

Pat Henderson: “Cliff, your spirit will always be with us at Currimundi Lake.”

Gillian Matthews: ”So sad, always had a smile for me when I was walking around Currimundi.”

Skye Niehus: “Such sad news. Cliff was such a lovely man who always wanted a chat. Such an inspirational man.”

June

Val Beanland, Beryl Bugenhagen, Margaret Foxley-Conolly, Ruth Jones, Dermot Ryan

July

Delle Black, Tania Burton, John Cumner, Les Hooper, Lisa McNeil, Glad Mackie, Geoff Murr, Beverly Pointing, James Sawyer, Winsome Van Altena, Patricia Williamson

August

Stephen Barbe, Lian Barker, Allen Gotts, Zoe Hamilton, Debbie Murr, Noel Pointing

0416042 735

3266 1255

1300 020 103

3725 5555

3392 8440

5436 8552

5451 1882

1800 052 222

5443 2644

1300 738 348

1800 177 120

1300 651 192

3849 8152

5491 7489

5476 6130

5455 8355

13 1114

5476 6130

5459 6901

3136 3636

5491 6466

5446 1000

5443 3246

5441 3543

5449 7659

5450 4750

5441 4441

5449 5944

3136 3660

3636 7286

5491 2800

5443 1946

5459 5202

5449 9980

131 008

131 008

5437 9190

5441 2488

1300 360 455

5493 6053

5443 7775

5441 5538

1300 550 450

1800 801 945

AMPUTEE SUPPORT ASSOCIATION SUNSHINE COAST INC.

P.O. Box 1374, BUDERIM QLD 4556

NEWSLETTER

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED

MEMBER’S NAME: ………………………………………………………… In Case of Emergency contact:

Not living with you, if possible

(1)     Name ……………………………………………………………….. Address …………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………. Telephone No.              Home: ……………………………………..

Business: ………………………………….

Mobile: ……………………………………

(2)     Name ……………………………………………………………….. Address …………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………. Telephone No.              Home: ……………………………………..

Business: ………………………………….

Mobile: …………………………………… Do you have any ongoing illness for which you are being treated?

E.g. diabetes, epilepsy, etc? …………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

If this is being managed by medication please list:

………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………….

Signature: …………………………………………………

This information is strictly confidential and will only be used by the President and Secretary.

R.I.P Cliff

SUNSHINE COAST INC.

P.O. Box 1374, BUDERIM QLD 4556

NEWSLETTER

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President:                                            Cliff Hargreaves                                  5493 4346

Secretary:                                            Debbie Murr                                       5478 9286

Treasurer:                                            Bob McClintock                                  5443 4561

Committee Members:

Joy Laxton                                          5442 1860

Graham Flatters                                  5477 1818

Welfare/Liaison                             Cliff Hargreaves                                  5493 4346

Newsletter Editor               With thanks to the Office of Mark McArdle, Member for Caloundra

Contact                                              Debbie Murr                           debbie@amputeesupport.net.au

Website                                             www.amputeesupport.net.au

Patrons:

Fiona Simpson MP                                                                                         5443 7995

Member for Maroochydore

Jarrod Bleijie MP                                                                                            5478 1189

Member for Kawana

Clinics by Appointments Only

Nambour Clinic – 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For Appointment Telephone: (07) 3636 7286

Currimundi Clinic, Coora Street, Currimundi – 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For an Appointment telephone:  3266 1255

Disclaimer:  The material contained in this publication is in the nature of general comment only and never purports, nor is intended to be advice on any particular matter.

Readers should not act or rely upon any matter or information contained or implied by this publication without taking appropriate professional advice which relates specifically to their particular circumstances.  The Association expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person whether an Association member or not, who acts or fails to act as a consequence of reliance upon the whole or part of the publication.

President’s Report

As we near the end of another year we are still going strong with good attendances at our general meetings at Chancellor Park on the third Tuesday of the month.  The cuppa and a bite to eat after the meeting enables members to socialise and discuss common problems.

In our June to August newsletter, in the “Upcoming Events”, we listed a free lunch at Coco’s Beach Café on 22^nd September.  Unfortunately due to internal problems within the café we had to cancel it.  We tried to advise our regulars of the cancellation and as far as we know none of our members turned up on the day.  Hopefully when we are due to hold our next one in March the café’s problems will have been sorted out or we will have found a different venue.

We are holding our Christmas Dinner at Mooloolaba Bowls Club on Sunday 13^th December.  These dinners are well attended and I hope that many of you will be able to be with us.

I wish to thank my executive for the help they give me throughout the year and a big thankyou to you, our members, because without you there would be no Association.

Some of our members have had a difficult year with their health and we hope that life gets better for them.  Sadly we have lost two of our long time members – August van Altena (“Van”) and Eric Svendsen in the last three months and our prayers go out to their loved ones.

In closing, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Cliff Hargreaves

Welfare Report

I have seen five amputees in hospitals around the coast in the last three months with some a number of times.  I have also seen five in their homes when I have delivered or collected our loan equipment.  Some of them are having a difficult time with their amputations while others are going well and looking forward to getting a prosthesis.

Our female member who had osseo-integration done below the knee went back to hospital in Sydney for two months.  She was then transferred to Eden at Cooroy to improve her walking.  She is now home and having physio several times a week.  Hopefully she is over the problems she incurred earlier and will be able to walk well without crutches very soon.

There has been a steady stream of equipment lent out and returned. We are still endeavouring to obtain lightweight wheelchairs with stump supports.  Unfortunately all of our wheelchairs are steel and when we loan them out to an amputee their partner has difficulty in lifting them into a car.

Once again I would like to say many thanks to Mr Martin Butler from Enterprise Storage Sheds for allowing us a shed in which to store our equipment.  He donated it to us in July 2011 and his gift is very much appreciated.

Cliff

Secretary’s Report

Wow! We are already near the end of the year.

I would like to say a special thankyou to all my helpers.

- Joy Laxton for printing, stapling and posting the newsletters

- Grahame Flatters for looking after membership

- Karen Nicholson for taking care of our newsletter

- Chanelle McKenna looks after our website

- Chris Price looks after raffle tickets and sells them at our meetings

- Thanks to President Cliff and Treasurer Bob for your support, Grahame and Joy for supporting the Executive meetings and to each of you for being a member.

Our general meetings have been going well, with those attending enjoying a cuppa and chat after the meeting. Don’t forget there is no meeting December and January.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at our Christmas lunch 13^th December,   12 noon, Mooloolaba Bowls Club.

I’d like to wish you all a happy, healthy and safe Christmas and 2016.

Regards, Debbie

Upcoming Events

• Christmas lunch Sunday 13^th December 2015 12 noon Mooloolaba Bowls Club

Adults $15 each and children $10 each

Please bring a gift to the value of around $10, so everyone receives a gift

Please notify Debbie 0416 042 735 or Cliff 5493 4346 by 4^th December if you are attending, as we have to pay for the function in advance.

• Tuesday 16^th February 2016 General Meeting 10am

Hibiscus Retirement Resort, Education Centre

Lakehead Drive, Sippy Downs

Morning tea and chat after meeting

• Easter Raffle Thursday 10^th, Friday 11^th, Saturday 12^th March 2016 at Kawana Shoppingworld

• Tuesday 15^th March General Meeting 10am

Hibiscus Retirement Resort, Education Centre

Lakehead Drive, Sippy Downs

Morning tea and chat after meeting

• Easter Raffle Tuesday 22^nd, Wednesday 23^rd, Thursday 24^th March 2016 at Kawana Shoppingworld, raffle drawn at 4pm

News

Source:

WE WERE THERE: Our little Aussie battler inspires us all

Finn Smith with parents Jason and Sarah settle back in at home. Photo: Warren Lynam / Sunshine Coast Daily

He was the tiniest baby, but he captured the whole of the Sunshine Coast’s heart.

And he is the little battler who continues to inspire us at every milestone he reaches.

Finn Smith beat the odds when he fought for his life after he contracted the deadly bacterial infection meningococcal.

The 13-month Pacific Paradise boy was in an induced coma on November 11, 2013.

Within days, as is always the way on the Sunshine Coast, friends, family and you, our readers, were rallying around to help any way you could.

“We feel so touched,” Finn’s mother Sarah said on November 29 after the outpouring of help and support.

Our reporter Kathy Sundstrom, a mother herself, was so moved by the family’s plight that she followed every step of his journey.

“He had to have surgery on December 12, 2013 to have his fingertips amputated,” she said.

“He was allowed home for a few hours on Christmas Day then he had to return to hospital for more amputations. It was devastating but the family was so brave, and Finn was such a battler.”

He battled through his amputations and into the New Year until eventually Finn was allowed to come home. His proud parents Sarah and Jason all the while saying how grateful they were to the community.

His journey didn’t stop when he got home and nor did the Coast’s admiration and support waver.

When his family was denied carer benefit, we were there fighting for the right thing to be done. Centrelink soon ensured his parents were both given carer’s allowance.

Finn got new legs on February 18, 2014 then he went through surgery to give him new feet in July 2014. In October 2014, he had his 17th operation - this time on his left hand - yet he still smiled and braved the procedures.

He swam, he had a go on a skateboard, played basketball, and slowly but surely he began to enjoy the childhood he deserved.

Thank you Finn for inspiring the Coast and thank you for letting us follow your journey.

News

Source: BBC News http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-34044453

Open Bionics robotic hand for amputees wins Dyson Award

A prototype 3D-printed robotic hand that can be made faster and more cheaply than current alternatives is this year’s UK winner of the James Dyson Award.

The Bristol-raised creator of the Open Bionics project says he can 3D-scan an amputee and build them a custom-fitted socket and hand in less than two days.

The device at the lower-end of the pricing scale and the upper end of functionality.

It is very lightweight and it can be customised for each person.

The 25-year-old inventor intends to charge customers £2,000 for the device, including the cost of a fitting.

Although prosthetic arms fitted with hooks typically can be bought for similar prices, ones with controllable fingers are usually sold for between £20,000 and £60,000.

That cost can sometimes be prohibitive for children, who usually need to change their prosthetic once or twice a year to take account of their growth.

Open Bionics’ hand relies on myoelectric signals, meaning it detects muscle movements via sensors stuck to the owner’s skin and uses them to control its grip.

A single flex of the wearer’s muscles opens and closes the fingers, while a double flex changes the shape to form a pinch grip.

Although the user cannot feel what the fingers are touching, sensors built into the digits can tell when they come into contact with an object to limit the pressure they exert.

This means owners can pick up objects as fragile as an egg without crushing them. They will begin selling in the second half of 2016.

News

Source:

“I had to lose my legs before I could kick my drug habit”

JASON Sauer had to lose his legs before he could find his way.

His is a tough lesson about what can happen to some who start dabbling in drugs at an early age and then spiral into serious addiction.

In Jason’s case breaking free of the drugs that have controlled his life since he first tried pot as a 15-year-old Maroochydore High School student took even more than the heroin overdose that led to his legs being amputated above the knees in 2011.

“Be careful,” is the warning he offers today’s Sunshine Coast teen population.

“You see people who dabble in drugs but still function. But they can destroy you.”

Now a member of the Park City All Ability ski team in the US, he leaves the Sunshine Coast in two weeks for a series of World Cup races, the results of which will determine whether he pushes for Olympic selection in the Australian team for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The former Kawana Surf Life Saving Club competitor, who also played rugby league for the Maroochydore Swans, was an accomplished skier.

IT WAS on the ski fields of Mt Hotham where he first tried pot when he still held hopes of converting his natural ability with maths, science and graphics into a professional career. Instead Jason left school three months short of the end of Year12, by which time he had shifted to Burnside High.

By the time he was 16, family and friends could see he had a problem with substance abuse, something he didn’t acknowledge until he was 23.

“When dad died in May ’95 I was 23. I skied the winter out and started trying to tidy up,” Jason said.

Instead he ended up completely off the rails.

He was using pot, alcohol, speed, ecstasy, acid and mushrooms. He had cracks at plumbing apprenticeships both at Mount Buller and in Nambour, but was in and out of drug rehabilitation centres and detox units from Victoria to Queensland.

“I gave up on myself,” Jason said. At one stage he checked into a Melbourne detox unit. Within a month of leaving he was back again.

The chaos continued until he struck a period from 2003 to 2008 when he was clean and sober, back on the Coast earning good money plumbing and doing security work.

At the end of 2008 he treated himself to a Canadian ski holiday, met a girl, came home, packed up his possessions and headed back overseas.

“It was a live-in relationship but I was stoned within two months,” Jason said.

Again he cleaned himself up and by October 2010 had reconciled with his girlfriend.

Then on Christmas Day that year the by then 38-year-old relapsed on heroin.

A massive overdose saw him lay propped immobile on a friend’s kitchen floor for 14 hours.

A lack of oxygenated blood to his extremities meant his legs and feet were dying and poisoning his system.

By the time an ambulance was called at 2pm on Boxing Day he was suffering renal failure and spent four weeks on dialysis.

On the second day of the New Year doctors told him he might live if they amputated his legs.

“I thought it was a bad dream and that I would wake up shortly,” Jason said.

It wasn’t and he didn’t.

Instead after being flown back to Australia in February, 2011, Jason went through months of treatment only to be released from hospital and back into addiction.

“I couldn’t tolerate myself straight but when I was stoned it amplified that and I would just be in tears,” he said.

His salvation came when a Facebook friend, an incomplete quadriplegic and enthusiastic bobsledder, invited him to Park City in the US to join an adaptive bobsled driving school.

Even then the vice-like grip of drugs could not be broken. Jason had barely touched down in the US when he “rorted” a doctor into prescribing him Oxychodone.

It was going to be a final goodbye to that life. It lasted only until the next morning. Sickened by how hopeless he had become, Jason attended a meeting for addicts on December 29, 2011, came home, flushed the drugs down the toilet and has since been free of everything except nicotine and caffeine.

During a week of bobsled training he met people further along post injury than himself who were over self-pity and enjoying life.

“I got to experience a day doing something enjoyable that really turned the light on for me,” Jason said.

On the anniversary of his amputations he was sliding a skeleton downhill at speed and by the end of January 2012 had started sit skiing.

Jason owes his fresh grip on life to the National Ability Centre in Park City that is a hub for athletes of all abilities. By February 2012 he was a member of the alpine ski team and had contested his first race.

In April, 2012, he was gifted a pair of micro processor knees which were fitted by the Hanger Clinic in Oklahoma and has not used a wheelchair since.

Since then he has steered a bobsled down Austria’s slopes and the Utah Olympic Park, returned sober to Mt Hotham and spent three months with the Australian squad.

He wasn’t invited back to do more work with the Australian squad but will continue this US World Cup season with the Park City team before reassessing his future.

Ideally Jason would like a role where he could share his experiences as a warning to today’s adolescents about the risks they face if they go down a similar path.

Vale August van Altena

Van was born in Assen, The Netherlands in 1920. The son of a Dutch Army Officer. His parents were shifted on average every four years, so they lived in just about every region in The Netherlands.

After finishing high school, Van enrolled to a degree course in Tropical Forestry aimed at a career in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. This was in 1941 during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands.

Early in 1942, the Nazis demanded a declaration of loyalty to the occupying authorities from all university students. The 90 or so students who refused to sign were denied access to the university. Those students, like Van, were declared jobless and were ordered to assemble in certain places and packed into goods trains and transported to work camps in Germany.

Van and quite a few others saw through the ploy and went into hiding with the help of underground movement. He worked in a dairy farm in the northern front of the country.

Van was discovered by a Dutch Nazi and with others was put into a concentration camp waiting for transport to Germany as forced labourers. Another forestry student and Van landed in the Hartz Mountains and were appointed technicians charged with estimating the volume per hectare of standing state forests. The Germans they associated with were mostly anti-nazi.

They even arranged for Van to visit his father who was a POW in the western part of Germany. They were eventually liberated by the American Army and they promptly grabbed Van as an interpreter as he could speak German as well as English. This was in 1945. He eventually started studying again in 1946 and graduated in 1951.

Foresters were returning from Indonesia and so he decided to emigrate to Australia. He met the principal of the forestry school in Canberra who arranged for Van a year Postgraduate Scholarship, which gave him an Australia Forestry Diploma. After graduation, Van was sent to Atherton to work in the Forestry Research Station. He had good memories of his time there. His work then changed from rainforest to pine plantations when it was decided to start a Tropical Plantation program. He married in Holland and his son and daughter were born in Atherton. When their children were at university his wife returned to Holland.

Van was transferred to Cardwell and then at his request to Beerwah where he was able to see more of his daughter. His son was in Canada doing a Doctorate in Organic Chemistry.

While living in Beerwah at the research station he met Winsome. Winsome lived in Caloundra with her two youngest sons, the older sons worked in Brisbane.

They married in 1978 and built a house in Caloundra. When Van refused a transfer to Gympie where the research station was being transferred, he retired instead.

Feedback

Our association with the Amputee Association commenced in 1997 when after having a minor procedure in day surgery I was to go on and lose both my legs and all my fingers.

Cliff, Bill and lots of members were a great support.

My biggest support has been my husband, Van, who was always there to help in any way he could.

Winsome van Altena, Beerwah.

Just for laughs

My favourite things (As seen in Glasshouse Country and Maleny News)

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,

Walkers and handrails and new dental fitting.

Bundles of magazines tied up with string, these are a few of my favourite things.

Zimmer frames and cataracts, hearing aids and bus passes,

Poly grip and Fixadent and false teeth and glasses,

Pacemakers, W.I and warblers that sing,

These are a few of my favourite things.

When the pipes leak,

When the bones creak,

When the knees go bad,

I try to remember my favourite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions, no spicy hot food or food with cooked onions.

Bathrobes and heating pads,

Hot meals they bring, can I remember my favourite things?

Back pain, confused brain and no change of sinning,

Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinning.

And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames,

When re remember our favourite things, when the joints ache, when the hips break,

When the eyes grow dim, then I remember the great life I’ve had, and then I don’t feel, so bad.

Submitted by Eunice Prickett, Peachester.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED

MEMBER’S NAME:  …………………………………………………………

In Case of Emergency contact:

Not living with you, if possible

(1)        Name ………………………………………………………………..

Address  …………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

Telephone No.              Home: ……………………………………..

Business: ………………………………….

Mobile: ……………………………………

(2)        Name ………………………………………………………………..

Address  …………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………….

Telephone No.              Home: ……………………………………..

Business: ………………………………….

Mobile: ……………………………………

Do you have any ongoing illness for which you are being treated?

E.g. diabetes, epilepsy, etc? …………………………………………………..  

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

If this is being managed by medication please list:

………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………….

Signature:  …………………………………………………

This information is strictly confidential and will only be used by the President and Secretary.

Hi everyone,

Christmas is nearly upon us. Remember the Amputee Christmas Luncheon will commence on the 13th December 2015 at 12:00 pm.

Please contact Debbie Murr for attendance list.

Hope to see you all there!

SUNSHINE COAST INC.

P.O. Box 1374, BUDERIM QLD 4556

NEWSLETTER

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President:                                            Cliff Hargreaves                                  5493 4346

Secretary:                                            Debbie Murr                                       5478 9286

Treasurer:                                            Bob McClintock                                 5443 4561

Committee Members:

Joy Laxton                                          5442 1860

Graham Flatters                                  5477 1818

Welfare/Liaison                              Cliff Hargreaves                                  5493 4346

Newsletter Editor                            Karen Nicholson                     nicholsons.finance@gmail.com

Contact                                              Debbie Murr                           debbie@amputeesupport.net.au

Website                                             www.amputeesupport.net.au

Patrons:

Fiona Simpson MP                                                                                         5443 7995

Member for Maroochydore

Jarrod Bleijie MP                                                                                            5478 1189

Member for Kawana

Clinics by Appointments Only

Nambour Clinic – 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For Appointment Telephone: (07) 3636 7286

Currimundi Clinic, Coora Street, Currimundi – 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For an Appointment telephone:  3266 1255

Disclaimer:  The material contained in this publication is in the nature of general comment only and never purports, nor is intended to be advice on any particular matter.

Readers should not act or rely upon any matter or information contained or implied by this publication without taking appropriate professional advice which relates specifically to their particular circumstances.  The Association expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person whether an Association member or note, who acts or fails to act as a consequence of reliance upon the whole or part of the publication.

AGM 2015

President’s Report

As we enter our 23^rd year our membership is still around 100 and our area extends from Caboolture to Hervey Bay.  We hold 10 general meetings, 2 free lunches and 2 subsidised dinners a year.  These functions are very important as they bring us together to enjoy one another’s company and for some, it is their only outing.  The general meetings are well attended with 17-20 at each and the cuppa and a bite to eat allows the members to chat to one another.  The 2 free lunches at Coco’s at Currimundi in September and March had 25-30 members present.  The Christmas Dinner in December was a huge success with 80 adults and children in attendance.  This was followed by the Christmas in July dinner with 50 adults and children present.  At the dinner in December we presented Maureen and Chris Price with a plaque in appreciation of their years of service to the Association.

The Easter Raffle is our main source of income but we can see some problems coming before too long.  As we move towards a cashless society more people are using their eftpos cards for purchases.  This becomes a problem when we are selling tickets at $1 each or 6 for $5.  We will need to find some other method of raising money.  We would welcome any suggestions.  In January we had a sausage sizzle at Bunnings in Caloundra.  The Lions Club of Lake Currimundi and Kawana ran the show for us which gave our finances a boost.  Once again a big thank you to the Lions for their help.

We send out 4 newsletters a year and it takes a lot of work to compile the articles and put it together so it can be printed then assembled and sent out.  When Maureen retired as secretary at our last AGM she still wanted to do the newsletter.  However her health wasn’t improving so we had to look elsewhere.  Karen Nicholson from Enterprise Self Storage Sheds at Caloundra has compiled the last 2 for us and we are so grateful for her help.

The management of the Association is run by the executive.  At the moment we only have 5 people on the executive and we need to spread the workload.  Our functions take a lot of organising and it would be a great help if we had some assistance.  As for membership of the executive, Debbie our secretary who took over from Maureen, is our youngest and the other 4 are in the 70-80 years plus bracket.  I know that the 80 year olds are wearing out and it would be wonderful to find some younger members to help them.  Sadly we lost 3 of our members in the last year.  One celebrated his 100^th Birthday in November but passed away in February.

The full time prosthetist Sunshine Orthopaedic Services in Nambour is doing very well while the Artificial Limbs and Appliances clinic at Currimundi is still held twice a month.

I want to say a big thank you to our executive for the way they support me.  A big thank you to you, our members, for the way you come to the functions and support our raffles.  Without you there would be no association.  Also a big thank you to Mr Martin Butler from Enterprise Self Storage Sheds at Caloundra for continuing to donate a shed in which to store our equipment.

Finally, speaking for myself, I know the workload is not getting any easier and I would welcome the opportunity for someone else to take my place.  I wouldn’t walk away and would be there if needed to help out.  This is a great association with a wonderful membership.  It is well known all over the coast especially in the hospitals and I would hate to see it collapse through lack of leadership.

Secretary’s Report

AGM August 2015

Wow! I find it hard to believe that 1 year has passed so quickly, with me being secretary for the Association. I have managed to squeeze this in on top of work, another volunteer position I have for Reiki Australia, and caring for my step-father Russell.

It has been a busy year for me. Cliff keeps me on my toes with regular phone calls of what is happening and what is coming up for us.

We had our first free luncheon at Cocos Currimundi Tuesday 9^th September.

The Mooloolaba Bowls Club looked after us very well for our Christmas lunch 14^th December. With the help of the Lions Club, who do an amazing job, we had a sausage sizzle at Bunnings Caloundra 11^th January.

I nominated Cliff for a senior citizens award with the Sunshine Coast Australia Day awards. Although he didn’t win, we had a lovely morning which was very well organised and entertaining. All the volunteers nominated are winners.

Some of us attended QALS Forum held at Brisbane Convention Centre 14^th March. We had our Easter raffle at Kawana Shoppingworld in March. For the first time we had the tickets printed and I stapled them.

On 24^th March we had our second free luncheon at Cocos Currimundi.

We had our Christmas in July lunch at Mooloolaba Bowls Club. Once again we were very well looked after and the food was delicious.

I would like to say a special thank you to Joy Laxton for printing, stapling, folding and posting our newsletters. This is a time consuming task which she manages very well.

Thanks to Bob and Cliff for their continued support.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at our meetings and functions this year.

Regards, Debbie

This horse broke his leg during a race.  As he

was not going to compete anymore his owner

decided to send him to slaughter.  Fortunately

an animal sanctuary rescued him, giving him

the opportunity to live in a place where he is

not valued in terms of profit.

Now he has a home where he is respected.

(From the Animal Equality Facebook page)

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old.

You grow old because you stop laughing.”

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though they know you are slightly cracked.”

“To be seventy years YOUNG is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years OLD.”

“Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.”

“We do not stop playing because we are old.

We grow old because we stop playing.”

FROM PETER WILLIAMS

Rule# 1. Carry a set of Allen Keys!
I learnt this very important lesson while riding my CanAm Spyder.

I was out enjoying a fabulous Sunshine Coast day riding in our beautiful hinterland. Not a care in the world, all good!
I sensed that my prosthetic leg was feeling a bit lighter than normal. I looked down and was surprised to see that my foot had detached from my leg and was sitting on the foot board of the bike.
I stopped and picked up my foot grateful that it hadn’t fallen off as I would not have been able to get off the bike to retrieve it.
I wasn’t carrying a set of Allen Keys with me so I wasn’t able to re attach my foot.
Problem solving now kicking in I decided to stuff the foot complete with shoe down the front of my jacket. A tight fit and not a good look !!
I rode the bike home with my unrestrained leg flapping in the breeze.  It felt weird and unbalanced as well as looking bizarre to other motorists!
I arrived home and parked in the garage and again realised that I still can’t get off the bike. Problem solving kicking in again. I need to get off the bike and GO!!
I could hear my neighbour Nathan working on his car in his driveway so I yelled out for him to help me!
You should have seen his face when he saw me sitting on the bike with my foot in my hand!
He quickly got the appropriate Allen Key and I secured my foot. At last I was able to get off my bike and could finally GO!
Amputees should always carry a set of Allen Keys!!

World’s first ‘feeling’ leg prosthesis offers new hope to amputees

Jun 8, 2015 4:41 AM

Relaxnews

World’s first ‘feeling’ leg prosthesis offers new hope to amputees

The world’s first artificial leg capable of simulating the feelings of a real limb and fighting phantom pain will be unveiled by researchers in Vienna on Monday.

The innovation is the result of a two-fold process, developed by Professor Hubert Egger at the University of Linz in northern Austria.

Surgeons first rewired remaining foot nerve endings from a patient’s stump to healthy tissue in the thigh, placing them close to the skin surface.

Six sensors were then fitted to the foot sole of a lightweight prosthesis, and linked to so-called stimulators inside the shaft where the stump sits.

“It’s like a second lease of life, like being reborn,” Austrian amputee Wolfgang Rangger, told AFP ahead of Monday’s media launch.

The former teacher, who lost his right leg in 2007 after suffering a blood clot caused by a cerebral stroke, has spent the last six months testing the new prosthesis.

“It feels like I have a foot again. I no longer slip on ice and I can tell whether I walk on gravel, concrete, grass or sand. I can even feel small stones,” he said.

The 54-year-old also runs, cycles and goes climbing. When he moves, the limp is barely noticeable.

Every time Rangger takes a step or applies pressure, the small sensor devices send signals to the brain.

“In a healthy foot, skin receptors carry out this function but they are obviously missing here. However, the information conductors — the nerves — are still present, they’re just not being stimulated,” Egger said.

“The sensors tell the brain there is a foot and the wearer has the impression that it rolls off the ground when he walks. All things considered, the procedure is a very simple one given the results.”

This is not the first time the Austrian scientist has caused a stir with his research.

In 2010, he presented a mind-controlled prosthetic arm, which the user directed with motor neurons previously connected to the lost limb.

For the artificial leg, the principle remains the same except that the process works in reverse: information is guided from the prothesis to the brain, rather than the other way around.

- No more morphine - In addition to increasing balance and safety, the prosthesis provides another remarkable function: it has helped eradicate the excruciating pain Rangger had experienced for years following his amputation.

“I was barely able to walk with a conventional prosthesis, didn’t sleep for more than two hours a night and needed morphine to make it through the day,” he recalled.

But within days of undergoing the operation last October, the pain vanished.

As Egger points out, phantom pain occurs because the brain gets increasingly sensitive as it seeks information about the missing limb.

“Plus the amputation is often tied to a traumatic experience like an accident or illness, and the mind keeps reliving these memories,” he noted.

The advantage of the “feeling prosthesis” is that the brain once again receives real data and can stop its frantic search.

“Rangger is a very different person now to the one I met in 2012,” Egger said.

The two men were introduced to each other at a support group for amputees.

“It struck me that he never laughed and he had these dark rings under his eyes. It was awful.”

Importantly, post-surgery recovery is quick and there are no known health dangers associated with the intervention, he added.

“The only risk is that the nerves don’t reconnect properly and the feelings fail to return,” he said.

With the new technology ready, Egger now hopes that small companies will join his venture and start building the prosthesis to help bring down the market price.

At the moment, a high-tech foot model costs between 10,000 euros ($11,240) and 30,000 euros.

Egger believes his latest project could vastly improve quality of life for amputees, including in developing countries.

“People with amputations aren’t patients in the traditional sense, they aren’t sick — they’re just missing a limb,” he said.

“By giving them back mobility, they also regain their independence and are able to reintegrate into society. That’s what I work for.”

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SUNSHINE COAST INC.

P.O. Box 1374, BUDERIM QLD 4556

NEWSLETTER

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President:                                            Cliff Hargreaves                                  5493 4346

Secretary:                                            Debbie Murr                                       5478 9286

Treasurer:                                            Bob McClintock                                 5443 4561

Committee Members:

Joy Laxton                                          5442 1860

Peter Williams                                     0421 443813

Welfare/Liaison                              Cliff Hargreaves                                  5493 4346

Newsletter Editor                            Karen Nicholson                     nicholsons.finance@gmail.com

Contact                                              Debbie Murr                           debbie@amputeesupport.net.au

Website                                             www.amputeesupport.net.au

Patrons:

Fiona Simpson MP                                                                                         5443 7995

Member for Maroochydore

Jarrod Bleijie MP                                                                                            5478 1189

Member for Kawana

Clinics by Appointments Only

Nambour Clinic – 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For Appointment Telephone: (07) 3636 7286

Currimundi Clinic, Coora Street, Currimundi – 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For an Appointment telephone:  3266 1255

Disclaimer:  The material contained in this publication is in the nature of general comment only and never purports, nor is intended to be advice on any particular matter.

Readers should not act or rely upon any matter or information contained or implied by this publication without taking appropriate professional advice which relates specifically to their particular circumstances.  The Association expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person whether an Association member or note, who acts or fails to act as a consequence of reliance upon the whole or part of the publication.

President’s Report

It is June already and the years seem to be going by faster, or maybe it’s because I am getting older.  The Association is still going strong with good attendances at our meetings at Chancellor Park on the third Tuesday of the month.  We have also gained a few new members. However our membership officer, Tony Hyett, has resigned from the position as he is going to live in Hervey Bay.  This is a big loss to us as Tony has done a great job in keeping the membership records up to date.  We wish him and Coralie all the best for the future in their new home.

We had our free lunch at Coco’s on 24^th March and 23 members and friends enjoyed the day.  In an effort to cut costs we didn’t have the one usually held in May but the one in September will still be held on the 22^nd of that month.

Some of us attended the Amputee Forum at the Brisbane Convention Centre on 14^th March.  It is four years since the last Forum and this one went very well.

We held our Easter Raffle over six days at Kawana Shopping World.  It was very successful and greatly helped our finances.  Many thanks to our members who bought tickets and helped with the selling. Once again the winners were not far away – at Mountain Creek, Wurtulla and Nambour.

Our next function will be Christmas in July at the Mooloolaba Bowls Club on the 19^th July.  Hopefully many of you will be able to attend.

In closing, I would like to request if anyone can help with the running of the organisation please contact either Debbie or me as your help will certainly be appreciated.

     Welfare

I have seen five amputees in hospitals around the coast in the last three months.  Three others were in their own homes.  One amputee was in the new University Hospital at Kawana prior to his amputation.  He has been transferred to Rehab at Caloundra and is doing well.  The lady who we reported on in our last newsletter who had osseo-integration below the knee is having some problems.  Hopefully it will be all sorted out before long and she will be able to walk.  We had one of the scooters we lent out returned as the lady was having difficulty getting it out of her unit.  There has been a steady flow of equipment lent out and returned.  We are trying to obtain some secondhand lightweight wheelchairs to replace some of our heavier older ones as people are having difficulty lifting them into their vehicles.

Artificial Limbs and Appliances are still holding their clinics twice a month at Currimundi.  Sunshine Orthopaedic Services at Nambour has a steady flow of clients.

Cliff Hargreaves

Secretary’s Report

Does anyone else wonder where the weeks go?

It’s hard to believe we are already in May, enjoying these beautiful cool mornings and warm sunny days.

We had a lovely lunch at Cocos Currimundi 24^th March which was attended by 23 members and drivers. We were well looked after and everyone enjoyed their meal.

Our Easter raffle at Kawana Shoppingworld was very successful. Thank you to each of you who bought the tickets we posted out to you or sold tickets for us. We cannot do this without your assistance.

I hope all the Mums had a lovely Mother’s Day.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at our Christmas in July lunch, which is being held at the Mooloolaba Bowls Club Sunday 19^th July.

Kind regards

Debbie

Vehicle Modification

It is proposed the National Disability Insurance Scheme provide the funding for vehicle modifications to allow people with disabilities to drive.  The Amputees and Families Support Group Inc. and the Amputee Support Association Sunshine Coast Inc. support this proposal.  We also support the proposal to train people in the use of the modifications along with testing an amputee’s driving capacity prior to applying these modifications to see if they are essential.

It is a costly exercise to have a vehicle modified but it will outweigh the cost of not having it done.  As explained at the Brisbane Amputee Forum –

“In New Zealand they looked at the cost of providing an attendant and a modified taxi to allow people access to doctor’s appointments and normal things such as shopping and compared that to the cost of vehicle modifications and the cost of training people to use modified vehicles.”

In some cases it would be cheaper to do the modifications than provide subsidised taxis.

There is a need to look closer at the rules behind modifying vehicles for amputees.  Currently anyone with a left leg amputation can drive an automatic with no modification.  A right leg amputee can only drive an automatic with a left foot accelerator modification.  A double amputee must have hand controls.  None of them can drive a manual vehicle.  We Associations echo our concern in regards to a person whose employment requires them to operate a vehicle, such as a mechanic or a truck driver.  Having to modify all vehicles before the amputees could drive them would make them unemployable, eg. a mechanic has to drive many vehicles.  Truck drivers might have to operate vehicles with both clutch and brake.  If they can’t handle them they lose their job.  Many amputees drive with their prosthesis and completely ignore the modifications.  Each amputee should be tested after they have been fitted with a prosthesis to gauge their capability.  Many of these were experienced drivers before their amputation.  If it is found that no modification is required they should be given their open licence.

Cosette Thompson                                                   Cliff Hargreaves

State Co-ordinator                                                   President

Amputees & Families Support Group Inc.                        Amputee Support Association

CONGRATULATIONS!!

The patients of Avenue Dental Caloundra have picked your Amputee Support Association to win third prize in our supporting local charity’s Foundation.  Avenue Dental Caloundra has made a donation to your foundation of $100 dollars. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you and everyone else involved in your organisation for all the amazing work that you provide, and also for being a part of our supporting local charity’s programme it was a pleasure to work with your organisation.

Thank you and Congratulations again.

Avenue Dental

1a Ormuz Avenue

Phone 5491 1111

The Admiral

Albert Ernest Charles Bickford

1914-2015

Albert Ernest Charles Bickford was born at Plymouth, England on 15^th November 1914.  He won a scholarship to a high school, played rugby and cricket in top teams and left school in 1930.  He joined the Sea Scouts and as a first class scout was selected as one of the Plymouth contingent to attend the 21st celebration of the founding of the Scout movement at the International Jamboree at Birkenhead in 1929.  He became a friend of Baden Powell.  After leaving school in 1930 he worked for a firm of solicitors in Plymouth until 1937 when he was appointed manager of another office.  He met his wife Jeanette through scouting in July 1933.  Through his Scout Commissioner in 1928 he got to sail on 150 foot long J class yachts.  One of these yachts was owned by Sir Thomas Lipton and if they won a race Sir Thomas would reward each of the crew of 28 with a pound of his best tea costing 11 pence.  He became a shire clerk of an area near Plymouth and remained there until he was conscripted into the Royal Navy in 1940.

He married Jeanette in 1939.  He became a leading seaman on motor torpedo boats escorting ships through the Dover Straits.  While on this service he was wounded by shrapnel in the legs and body.  On a disastrous raid on Norway which cost many lives he received a bullet through his helmet.

In 1942, as a flotilla commander, his ship was in the Mediterranean Sea and was diverted to Crete to help with the evacuation of allied soldiers while under heavy attack from German Stuka dive bombers.  After Crete he was appointed to a submarine and later spent some time in a hospital in Egypt where he contracted malaria.  He was next appointed to HMS Ajax, a light cruiser, which was to be the flagship for the relief of Athens.  HMS Ajax had been one of the warships which had pursued the German battleship Graf Spee across the Atlantic Ocean until the Germans scuttled it in Montevideo Harbour in December 1939.

Because of continuing bouts of malaria he was flown back to hospital in Bournemouth.  After the war he and Jeanette travelled and met many old acquaintances he’d known during the war.  He was recalled to the Royal Navy in 1954 and with the rank of Rear Admiral was working for NATO in 1957.

During the 1960’s & ‘70’s he was the navy representative on the National Defence Council.  He qualified as a Fellow of the Legal Executives in 1964.

In 1984 Jeanette contacted a cousin in Australia whom she had not heard from in 30 years.  He lived in Brisbane and invited them out for a holiday at Christmas.  They enjoyed it so much they sold their home and migrated to Queensland in 1987 and became Australian citizens in 1989.  They lived at Mooloolaba. Unfortunately Jeanette had to have her left leg amputated in 2002.  They joined the Amputee Support Association and attended many of our meetings and were always at our functions.  In 2008 they moved to Edgewater at Bli Bli where they were very happy.  They celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary in 2009 but sadly Jeanette passed away at Christmas of that year.

Charles stayed on at Edgewater but because of poor health he moved to the Gold Coast in June 2014 to be near family.  He celebrated his 100^th birthday with family and friends at Masonic Care at Arundel on the Gold Coast on 15^th November 2014.  He passed away peacefully on Friday 13^th February 2015.  We in the Amputee Association always referred to him as “The Admiral”.  He had enjoyed an incredible life in his 100 years and what is written here is only a small part of the story.

1^st PLACE IN AUSSIE AITO 2015 CHALLENGE

‘No Limits Adaptive paddler and recent below knee Osseointergration patient Paula Gowland took to the ocean and placed 1^st in the Aussie Aito 2015 challenge. It was a 6km ocean race at Mooloolaba on a V1, which doesn’t have a rudder to steer. All the steering is done by paddling and in really rough conditions was a real challenge.

Paula then backed up the following day to race in the National Marathon Outrigging V6 Canoe titles also held at Mooloolaba. Paula and 5 other paddlers including Shona Mucket also a double amputee raced a 10km ocean race to bring home a gold medal.

                                                                Birthdays June

Val Beanland, Beryl Bugenhagen, Margaret Foxley-Conolly, Ruth Jones, Josie Scott

Birthdays July

Delle Black, Bob Brown, Tania Burton, John Cumner, Graham Davies, Keith Green, Colin Hollow, Les Hooper, Lisa McNeil, Glad Mackie, Geoff Murr, James Sawyer, Brad Smith, Winsome Van Al Tena, Patricia Williamson

                       Birthdays August

Stephen Barbe, Allen Gotts, Zoe Hamilton, Debbie Murr, Noel Pointing

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AMPUTEE SUPPORT ASSOCIATION SUNSHINE COAST INC.

NEW APPLICATION       Date: …………………………….

YEARLY MEMBERSHIP:  $15.00 PER PERSON

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Amputee Support Association

Sunshine Coast Inc.

P.O. Box 1374

BUDERIM  QLD  4556

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SUNSHINE COAST INC.

P.O. Box 1374, BUDERIM QLD 4556

NEWSLETTER

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President:                                            Cliff Hargreaves                                  5493 4346

Vice-President:                                    Brian Poulter                                       0411 499 488

Secretary:                                            Debbie Murr                                       5478 9286

Treasurer:                                            Bob McClintock                                 5443 4561

Committee Members:                         Tony Hyett                                        5476 8353

Joy Laxton                                          5442 1860

Peter Williams                                     0421 443813

Welfare/Liaison                              Cliff Hargreaves                                  5493 4346

Membership Officer                       Tony Hyett                                        5476 8353

Newsletter Editor                            Karen Nicholson                     nicholsons.finance@gmail.com

Contact                                              debbie@amputeesupport.net.au

Website                                             www.amputeesupport.net.au

Patrons:

Fiona Simpson MP                                                                                         5443 7995

Member for Maroochydore

Jarrod Bleijie MP                                                                                            5478 1189

Member for Kawana

Clinics by Appointments Only

Nambour Clinic – 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For Appointment Telephone: (07) 3636 7286

Currimundi Clinic, Coora Street, Currimundi – 1^st and 3^rd Thursday of each Month

For an Appointment telephone:  3266 1255

Disclaimer:  The material contained in this publication is in the nature of general comment only and never purports, nor is intended to be advice on any particular matter.

Readers should not act or rely upon any matter or information contained or implied by this publication without taking appropriate professional advice which relates specifically to their particular circumstances.  The Association expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person whether an Association member or note, who acts or fails to act as a consequence of reliance upon the whole or part of the publication.

President’s Report

Although we haven’t had a meeting since November 2014 much has happened including a change of government.  We had our Christmas Lunch on 14^th December with 73 adults and 7 children in attendance.  Once again it was a great day and the Mooloolaba Bowls Club did a wonderful job with the meal and the venue.  We presented Maureen and Chris Price with a plaque in appreciation of the support they have given the Association over the years.  Although Maureen resigned as secretary in August 2014 she wanted to continue with the newsletter.  However due to failing health she has found it impossible to continue.  This left us in a quandary.  However Karen Nicholson from Enterprise Street Self Storage, the organisation that donated the shed for our equipment, has offered to help temporarily.

We had a sausage sizzle at Bunnings Caloundra on 11^th January to raise funds.  Once again the Lions Club of Lake Currimundi and Kawana ran the show helped out by some of our members.  The Lions are a wonderful group and I sincerely thank them for their help with the barbeques in which we have been involved.

I was nominated for a Senior Citizen of the Year Award and attended the ceremony on 21^st January.  Although I was unsuccessful it was a wonderful ceremony and a credit to the organisers.  Rosanna Natoli was an excellent M.C.

Our annual Easter Raffle will be held in March and I hope our members will support it when the tickets are sent to them.  We also need volunteers to help sell raffle tickets at Kawana Shopping World.  We will be there for a total of six days (see dates in “events” section of newsletter).  If you are able to help out, either for a full day or for just a few hours, please phone me.  We would really appreciate some help with this.

Also there is an Amputee Forum to be held in Brisbane on 14^th march.  It will be well worth attending if you can.

Sadly on the 6^th January we attended the funeral at Nambour of Edna Astle, one of our elderly long time members.

In closing I wish you all the best for the months ahead and remember, I am only a phone call away if you need assistance.

Welfare

I have seen a woman and three men amputees in the Rehab Unit in Caloundra in the last three months.  Two of the men have gone home but the remaining one is waiting for somewhere to live.  The woman will probably be there for a while yet.  I also visited a woman with a recent amputation in the Sunshine Coast Private Hospital.  Whilst there I met another woman amputee who we had helped several months ago.  She was in Rehab learning to use her prosthesis.  I was asked to go and visit a man with a recent amputation in Selangor Hospital in Nambour.  He is a 59 year old with a BRK amputation.

I phoned Paula Gowland, the woman who fell off the bed and broke her leg and ultimately had it amputated below the knee.  There was an article about her in our last newsletter.  She had the osseo-integration system done below the knee in December but has had to return to Sydney for further treatment.

We have had the usual movement of equipment being lent and returned.  We had a request for two scooters which we were able to lend to our members.  As well we had a special folding stool organised to allow one of our members to get into his vehicle.

There have been four clinics for ALA at Currimundi with 23 appointments.

Cliff Hargreaves

Secretary’s Report

Happy New Year to you all. I hope you all had a Happy, healthy and safe Christmas with your loved ones.

Our Christmas lunch at the Mooloolaba Bowls Club was very well organised, a big thanks to Julia.

The function room was set up beautifully when we arrived, and the meal was delicious. Thank you to the catering staff.

We had a sausage sizzle and raffle at Bunnings Caloundra to raise funds. Many thanks to the Lions club, who are so organised and know exactly what they are doing.

Thank you to our helpers who set up in the morning and came back in the afternoon, and to our members who were selling the sausages and drinks. We could not have managed without you.

I would also like to thank Joy and Stan for helping me sell the raffle tickets.

I nominated Cliff for a Sunshine Coast Australia Day Senior Citizens Award. This event was held at Life Pointe Baptist Church, Wises Road, Maroochydore. This event was very well organised and Rosanna Natoli did an excellent job as speaker. Over all the categories there were 85 nominations. That is a lot of people who contribute their time to the community. Although Cliff didn’t win, every nominee is a winner.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at our meetings and functions.

Regards Debbie

Edna May Astle

23-10-1923     to  27-12-2014

Age 91 years old.

Edna was born at Miranda Sydney and was the youngest siblings of five sisters and one brother, whom have predeceased her. She did most of her schooling at Sutherland and attended at Hurstville Domestic Science School.

After leaving school Edna worked at the Sutherland shire council for a short time. Edna worked in the milk bar owned by her Mum & Dad and this is where she met her love of her life Sam, she fell in love with this good looking man in Royal Australian air Force uniform, and he fell over a stool looking back at her. Edna & Sam married in 1942. Edna’s parents closed the milk bar & cake shop for an hour whilst they got married.

Edna & Sam were blessed with three sons & one Daughter (Liz). Over the years through Sam’s work they moved to Inverell, Tarragindi (Qld) Melbourne, and returned to Queensland in 1991 where they lived at Loganholme before moving to the Sunshine Coast in the year 2000.

In 2004 Sam became an amputee and this is where Sam & Edna joined the Amputee association for support friendship & love in which they received. In 2008 Sam passed away and Edna remained a member until May 2012 when she decided to move to Regis Lakeside Age Care Facility, for further assistance, friendship and security.

Edna spent 2 & 1/2 years at Regis until she had decided she really did want to be with her beloved Sam and so she decided she had, had enough and with the blessing of her family, she peacefully passed away on the 27th December, 2014.

Farewell and thank you Maureen

Maureen had been secretary of the Association for 10 years until she resigned at our AGM in August 2014 due to failing health.  Her position involved the production of the paperwork for various meetings.  She printed the 4-5 thousand tickets for our raffles.  We used to stamp each ticket twice by hand with the number.  Maureen found a system on the computer which printed and numbered them at the same time.  They still had to be cut and assembled by volunteers.  She devoted a lot of time to improving the newsletter.  In the December 2008 issue she introduced colour which was a vast improvement over the old black and white, especially with photos.  She also produced our brochures.  Chris has assisted with the printing.  He is always at our meetings selling tickets for the fruit trays.  At our raffles at Kawana Shopping World he removed all the staples from the ticket butts and then screwed up the butts so that they could be placed in the barrel to be drawn.  They have both given incredible service to the association and we felt that the plaque was our way of showing our appreciation for their efforts.

” As you get older, your secrets are safe with your friends because they can’t remember them either.”

” You can’t stay young forever, but you can be immature for the rest of your life.”

” There are few things more satisfying than seeing your children have teenagers of their own”

“Would you like to speak to the man in charge of the woman who knows what’s happening?”

“Be yourself. Nobody is better qualified.”

Sunshine Orthopaedic Services

Sunshine Orthopaedic Services became the first full time prosthetic provider based on the Sunshine Coast providing an unmatched service for our local and surrounding community.

Here at SOS we strive to break new boundaries in limb design and casting techniques. We have been blessed in Queensland by receiving a new budget from Queensland Amputee Limb Services for the provision of recreational limbs for kids under the age of 18.

This has given us the “License” to redesign all preconceived and practiced limb designs of the past as there now is an avenue to get these kids fitted with limbs for all the activities they have ever desired to participate in but never could because of funding restrictions.

To see an upper limb amputee doing cartwheels for the first time, to see a bilateral lower limb amputee swim proficiently and running on limbs specifically designed for that specific activity in mind is the greatest feeling for us and for them, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities and confidence like we have never seen before!

But all of these things cannot happen without a great team working together with the same goal in mind to achieve the optimal result for each and every individual that comes through our door for their prosthetic needs, no matter how simple or complex their needs may be.

We are only a small team – Dewet Heyns (Senior Prosthetist/Orthotist) and practice manager, with over 15 years of experience in both the Prosthetic and Orthotic fields, he has experience in all applications thereof.  He is very passionate about his patients and will go out of his way to ensure a positive patient outcome to all.  He welcomes all amputees that are thinking of changing over from other prosthetic providers to come in for free consultation as he respects the fact that it is a very big and personal decision for them to change to another provider.  Then we have Meagan Hazel (Receptionist), she has the most amazing work ethic and forms a great rapport with all our patients that come through the door. We also are lucky to have the services of Stephen Saroglia (Senior Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician), with over 30 years’ experience in the field he is invaluable to our practice as he has superior skills in the fabrication of all our devices in both Prosthetic and/or Orthotic applications. He is well known among the amputee community on the Sunshine Coast.

Please contact our office on (07) 5441 2488 if we can assist you in any way possible.

Little Finn Smith with his new swimming limbs.

THE LIMBLESS MOUNTAINEER

In January ABC2 showed the documentary “The Limbless Mountaineer”.  This took two years to film and shows the attempt Jamie Andrew, a quadruple amputee from Edinburgh, made to climb the Matterhorn in 2014.  He almost reached the top but ran out of time.

He was meant to climb the Matterhorn in 2012 but preparations were halted when his climbing partner Roger Payne was killed in an avalanche.  Mr Payne aged 55 was one of Britain’s leading climbers and was killed with eight others when they were hit by a 500 foot wide wall of snow in July 2012.  They died while attempting to climb Mont Blanc 15,781 feet above sea level, which reinforces the dangers Mr Andrew faced in his attempt to climb the Matterhorn severely disabled.

The blizzard which left Jamie Andrew without his hands and feet also claimed the life of his climbing partner Jamie Fisher, who froze to death in the French Alps fifteen years ago.  He was rescued in one of the most dramatic missions in the history of the Alps.  He was rushed to hospital with hypothermia and severe frostbite and a few days later the surgeons had no option but to amputate his limbs.  However he still wanted to be a mountaineer and has since gone on to raise thousands of pounds for charity with his remarkable efforts.

He said “Hopefully I have pushed back the boundaries of what disabled people can achieve.”

If you Google “The Limbless Mountaineer” I am sure you will find it very interesting.

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