Paraplegic mum and disabled daughter need help

A fundraiser has been launched to help a paraplegic single mother and her disabled daughter at Bateau Bay who have lost their only form of transport.

More than 30 years ago, Joanne McSweeny stopped to assist a driver on the side of the road.

In the process she became involved in an accident herself when another car hit them from behind.

In a split-second her life changed forever.

Suffering severe injuries, she was left as a paraplegic.

After a very long recovery in hospital and rehabilitation

Joanne got on with her life and achieved many things including obtaining a university degree.

Several years later tragedy struck again when the father of her young children succumbed to mental illness and took his own life.

As well as that McSweeney’s youngest child, Mercy Dennis, was born with a debilitating condition.

Mercy was born with Koolen De Vries syndrome, cerebral palsy and a moderate intellectual disability.

Because of her physical limitations and impaired cognitive function, Mercy requires assistance with all daily activities such as personal care, dressing and hygiene, food preparation, 24-hour supervision and support to access transport, shopping, social and community engagement.

A very happy and social person, Mercy loves nothing more than interacting with people and keeping active on her scooter, walking, swimming, bush walking and helping her mum with the shopping.

She eagerly engages in community participation programs five days per week with Youth Connections and her much-loved carers.

Funding boost for Mingaletta

The Federal Government is delivering on its election commitment to provide $106,700 to upgrade facilities at the Mingaletta

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation at Umina Beach.

Mingaletta is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation which provides a range of services, programs and activities for First Nations people on the Peninsula and beyond.

The funding is part of the Strengthening First Nations Health package announced in 2022-23 Budget.

It will be used for the construction of a children’s play area, new outdoor awnings and signage for the facility.

The activities at Mingaletta align with the Government’s objectives under Closing the Gap Outcome One: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live long and healthy lives and Priority Reform Two: Building the Community Controlled Sector.

The 2022-23 Budget funding represents a fundamental change in the delivery of First Nations health.

It will grow the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia.

Mingaletta Elder Aunty Di said the funding represents a “great outcome”.

“There are people in the community who do not know what we do, and this funding will allow the organisation to purchase electronic signage to list the services we provide,” she said.

“It will also mean better outcomes for all people in the community, because we are inclusive of everyone.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said investing in the sector was critical to accelerating efforts to close the gap in health and wellbeing outcomes for First Nations peoples.

“This funding gives Mingaletta the means to undertake practical upgrades to their facilities to better service Aboriginal communities on the Central Coast,” she said.