AMPUTEE SUPPORT ASSOCIATION
SUNSHINE COAST INC.
P.O. Box 1374, BUDERIM QLD 4556
NEWSLETTER
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GENERAL MEETING
Meetings are held the 3rd TUESDAY of each month at 10 A.M. at EDUCATION CENTRE, HIBISCUS RETIREMENT RESORT Lakehead Drive, Chancellor Park For information please contact: President: 5493 4346 (No Meeting in December or January) |
June 2015 to August 2015 |
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 – 3rd Thursday of each Month
For Appointment Telephone: (07) 3636 7286
Currimundi Clinic, Coora Street, Currimundi – 1st and 3rd 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 24th 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 22nd of that month.
Some of us attended the Amputee Forum at the Brisbane Convention Centre on 14th 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 19th 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.
Cliff Hargreaves
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 24th 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 19th 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
UPCOMING EVENTS
16th June Amputee Support meeting 10am. Education Centre Hibiscus Retirement Resort Lakehead Drive Chancellor Park
19th July Christmas in July lunch 12 noon. Mooloolaba Bowls Club. Cost for lunch is $15 for adults and $10 for children. We have decided not to have gifts for this function but we will have our raffle as usual.
21st July Amputee Support meeting 10am. Education Centre Hibiscus Retirement Resort Lakehead Drive Chancellor Park
18th August Amputee Support meeting 10am. This is our AGM, so anyone wishing to nominate for President, Treasurer or Secretary please advise us. Education Centre Hibiscus Retirement Resort Lakehead Drive Chancellor Park
22nd September at 12 noon. Lunch at Cocos Beach Cafe Westaway Parade Currimundi. Free for members and their drivers.
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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 15th 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 70th 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 100th birthday with family and friends at Masonic Care at Arundel on the Gold Coast on 15th November 2014. He passed away peacefully on Friday 13th 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.
1st PLACE IN AUSSIE AITO 2015 CHALLENGE
‘No Limits Adaptive paddler and recent below knee Osseointergration patient Paula Gowland took to the ocean and placed 1st 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.
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Happy Birthday
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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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Support Groups and Resources
Amputee Support Association Sunshine Coast Inc. Artificial Limbs & Appliances Pty. Ltd. Aged & Community Hotline Aged Care Queensland Brisbane Prosthetics and Orthotics Caloundra Community Health Services Carers Queensland – Maroochydore Commonwealth Carelink Community Alternative Transport Services (Maroochydore) Council on the Ageing Disability Information Service Elder Abuse Helpline Goodwill Orthopaedics Home Assist Caloundra Home Assist Maroochydore Home Assist Noosaville Lifeline Sunshine Coast Maroochy Home Assist Secure Maroochydore Community Health Services M.A.S.S. (Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme) Meals on Wheels Caloundra Meals on Wheels Coolum Beach Meals on Wheels Maroochydore Meals on Wheels Nambour Meals on Wheels Tewantin-Noosa Nambour Community Health Services Nambour & District Care (including Transport) Noosa Community Health Services Queensland Amputee Limb Service (QALS) Royal Brisbane Hospital for Appointments St Vincent de Paul Caloundra St Vincent de Paul Maroochydore St Vincent de Paul Nambour St Vincent de Paul Noosaville Suncoast Cabs Ltd, Disabled Person Taxi Suncoast Community Cabs Suncoast Transport and Care (formerly H.A.C.C.) Sunshine Orthopaedic Services The St John’s Ambulance – Silver Cord Telephone The Salvation Army Currimundi The Salvation Army Maroochydore The Salvation Army Community Services Nambour Veteran’s Home Care Veteran’s Home Maintenance |
5476 6837
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.
NEW APPLICATION Date: …………………………….
YEARLY MEMBERSHIP: $15.00 PER PERSON
- 1. Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………….. Post Code: ………………………..
Phone No.: ……………………………………… Date of Birth: ………………………………
e-Mail Address: ……………………………………………………………….
Signature: ……………………………………………………………………
CARER/PARTNER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
- 2. Name: …………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………….. Post Code: ………………………..
Phone No.: ……………………………………. Date of Birth: ……………………………….
e-Mail Address: ……………………………………………………………….
Signature: …………………………………………………………………..
Date of Amputation: ………………………… Are you a Diabetic: ……………..
Cause of Amputation: ………………………………………………………………
TYPE OF AMPUTATION: Please circle the applicable items below
LEG: Left / Right Above knee / Below knee
ARM: Left / Right Above elbow / Below elbow
I do not wish to become a member at this time but would like some further information
Do you wish to order Name Tags: $10.00 each*
* Preferred name for Name Tag: (1) ………………………………………………
(2) ………………………………………………
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Office only: Receipt _____ Letter _____ Address List _____ Card Index _____ |
Return form to: The Secretary
Amputee Support Association
Sunshine Coast Inc.
P.O. Box 1374
BUDERIM QLD 4556
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:
………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………….
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Signature: …………………………………………………
This information is strictly confidential and will only be used by the President and Secretary.
