2014 Autumn Edition
Brain Injury Network of South Australia Inc.
What’s new
2
staff profiles and MEC
3
CEO Reporting
4
Program Reports
5-8
Photo Spread
9-11 BINSA Program reports 10
Coming Up - Assuming Control Course 1 May - 3 July 2014
BINSA Consultants, Volunteers and Advisory Groups
• DATES • April 2 RTP Alumni 3-24 Re-Wired, Thursdays 4 RTP 11 RTP 18-21 Easter - BINSA Closed 23 BINSA Carer’s Group 24 City Coffee Group 25 Anzac Day - BINSA Closed May 1 Re-Wired - last session 1-29 Assuming Control weekly on Thursdays 2 RTP 6-27 yRTP Tuesdays 7 RTP Alumni 15 Volunteers Celebration 23 Western Coffee Group 28 Carers Group 29 City Coffee Group TBA SEABIN June 3-24 yRTP Tuesdays
BINSA has a long history of providing especially developed programs of support for individuals with an acquired brain injury (ABI). That’s one of the valuable services that a professional organisation such as BINSA can offer. The 10 session Assuming Control Course has been delivered by BINSA for 15 years and each course is revised before the next to ensure it keeps up with the latest in evidenced based professional approaches and standards covering aspects of brain injury including its impact on emotions, memory, relationships, who am I now and where to from here ... ? If you are interested or you know someone who might be then please contact the Coordinator chris@binsa.org or 8217 7600 to register - there are only 10 places Fee is $65 to cover additional materials - this can be paid in instalments find all details on the program flyer insert enclosed. Representation Advocacy Slow Rehab Counselling Community Connections Regional Support Information Events
3 RTP Alumni 5-26 Assuming Control continues until 3 July 20 Western Coffee Group 26 City Coffee Group
70 Light Square Adelaide SA 5000 P 08 8217 7600 F 08 8211 8164 E info@binsa.org CC 1300 733 049 W www.binsa.org
WHAT’S NEW
• IN THIS ISSUE • 1
Brain Injury Network of South Australia Inc.
Check out BINSA’s website www.binsa.org with new ticker tape updates
BINSA will celebrate all its volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week 2014 12th - 18th May Are you keen on volunteering? Call Karen on 8217 7600 or 1300 733 049 1
BINSA Profiles
Staff
We usually feature comings and goings in this section, but instead we thought it would be of interest to showcase some of the current team at BINSA - so here goes - our focus this time:
Springboard Program - Support Workers (SSW) The Springboard Program is a unique BINSA designed community based ‘slow rehabilitation’ program. It provides therapy and lifeskills to catastrophically brain injured individuals with each person at the centre of their own rehab plans. These are reviewed on a regular basis as participants move from achievement to achievement. Trained volunteers extend the work of the BINSA team. As you will see, the 4 current SSW are a very skilled and dedicated bunch ...
Jordan Forrest Jordan initially commenced with BINSA as a volunteer in both Administration as well as the Springboard Program. He enjoyed it so much that he snapped up a position when a vacancy occurred. He has now been with BINSA as a casual SSW for the past 2 years. Jordan has a BA in Media from Adel Uni and is currently studying Dip in Disability @ TafeSA. 2
Cindy Gillespie Cindy has been with BINSA for more than 3 years as a casual SSW. She has an extensive history of personal care and support within aged care and disability. Cindy has a Cert III in Age Care Work. She brings her very calm and supportive manner to all situations whenever they pop up. Participants and BINSA benefit greatly from someone who has such a range of support skills. Thanks Cindy
Patrick Kiu Patrick was also a volunteer when he came to BINSA and then recently joined BINSA as a casual SSW. He has just been awarded his BA Physiotherapy UniSA - so congratulations what a great ‘fillip’ for BINSA and participants to have his skills within the SSW team.
Bill Wright Bill came to BINSA though the WorkcoverSA ‘work hardening’ program, another valuable community benefit that BINSA offers along with tertiary student practicum places. Bill was a French Polisher. One suspects you couldn’t get a more extreme career change than joining BINSA! He is now part of the team of casual SSW and adjusting to his new options. We hope this career ‘re-start’ will lead to a promising future ahead. Bill has recently enrolled in the Cert III Disability Studies program @ Equal. Good luck Bill
BINSA Board Member and External Communications SubCommittee When BINSA adopted its new Constitution in 2013, one aim was to establish 4 new Board SubCommittees, to provide advice to the BINSA Board. One of these is the Members and External Communications (MEC) group, with membership drawn from individuals who either have an ABI or are a carer/family member. The MEC is now up and running and the members are: Dean Fyfe - Chair (carer) Keryl Beesley (ABI) Neville Brown (ABI)
We need
two more!
If you are interested in being considered for the MEC Sub-Committee then please call us on 8217 7600/1300 733 049 or email info@binsa.org We encourage a regional ABI/carer constituent to join and can arrange skype
BINSA Radiowaves
listen out for our 30 sec radio ads each month on various community stations - about BINSA and highlighting an aspect of our programs and services each month - April is about Assuming Control Course - check out the website - www.binsa.org and listen there too
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORTING to place a true value on what now and then... The great thing about a newsletter is we can bring so much new information but also remind ourselves of all the work BINSA has achieved over the past 22 years. BINSA is absolutely thrilled and humbled to have been nominated for the ‘Organisation’ category in the upcoming national HESTA Awards. It’s hard to say how rewarded we all feel with this honour. But of course it would never have come about except for the fact that regrettably there are so many people in SA who have been affected by an acquired brain injury (ABI). Reflecting on what we have achieved over these past 22 years we know we’ve provided direct and general support to more than 10,000 South Australians who are impacted by an ABI. Our Springboard Program has assisted more than 100 catastrophically injured individuals to build more self capacity to live fuller lives. More than 2000 clients have been assisted through our NDAP Advocacy (and previous state based advocacy) support. Our RTP and the Assuming Control Course, especially designed to respond to the myriad of issues confronting anyone with an ABI have helped more than 250 people reconnect their lives to family, friends, community and most importantly to themselves. So while it is almost impossible
BINSA has been able to achieve to date, what we do promise is to continue as long as we remain relevant to each of you. To do that we seek and value any and all feedback and as far as it is possible, we will review and revise based on these insights and advices. ___________________________
SA Disability Justice Plan BINSA recently submitted its comments and recommendations to the draft SA Disability Justice Plan and the here are some highlights on some very specific suggestions as follows: Section 1.1 Education and awareness – providing community education to people with disability - BINSA indicated it is essential that experienced organisations and their staff are involved in the provision of community education and awareness as it is these organisations that have the direct link to people with disability. Section 1.2 Introduction of new law addressing sexual contact between person with disability and worker / volunteer - BINSA wholeheartedly agrees with the introduction of such an offence and feels it is imperative to ensuring the safety and welfare of all people with disability, but expressed concern around the defence clause for the accused to claim they did not know the person had a “cognitive impairment”. BINSA encourages the voluntary participation of people with a disability, specially with
cognitive impairment, to use a form of identification,an initiative that has been working well in Tasmania. Section 1.7 Infrastructure – accessible and disability friendly BINSA indicated it is important that when addressing these developments people with disability are included in the planning processes. BINSA’s submission is very informed through consultations with you and also from our many experiences in advocacy and other services and supports - now we await the outcome of the new Legislation ... Our full submission available on www.binsa.org. ___________________________ BINSA is promoting a national approach to the identification and support of anyone suffering (or suspected of) concussion during the playing of any sport. The national campaign consists of the 5Rs of concussion • Recognise the injury • Removal from play • Referral to a doctor • Rest and then • Return to play Pease check our website www. binsa.org for the special 5Rs portal we have added to our quick reference menu bar. ___________________________ BINSA is also raising its voice to be part of the leadership regarding ‘one-punch’ cowardice that leads to such catastrophic injury and life changing results for the individual or their family/friends/ colleagues. Everyone in fact in the community is lessened by these anti-social and criminal acts. Let’s join together and act to stop the next one - now.
Regards Mariann McNamara 3
BINSA PROGRAM REPORTS Administration Welcome to the 2014 Autumn edition of the BINSA newsletter. All programs and services are back including RTP, Re-Wired Fitness, Western and City Coffee Clubs and Advocacy, in full swing. We have Community Learning and Lifeskills (CL&L) sessions coming up that will make you want to laugh, pick up a paint brush or just relax or unwind – check out full details on our website, www.binsa.org.
BINSA PHOTOS
BINSA will celebrate all its volunteers on 15 May - see more details on the front page of this newsletter.
It has been a very interesting start as 3 new participants have joined the program, replacing the graduates from last year.
Our heartfelt gratitude too for all the generous donations received which assist our regional program, and welcome any opportunities to raise funds.
They are all settling in well and we look forward to supporting them to achieve their goals over the coming 3 years.
You may have a good idea perhaps share it with us ... That is all! Cheers Karen
Full details of the upcoming Assuming Control Course are on the front page of this newsletter.
NDAP Advocate
We are very proud to achieve Certification level status as part of the Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES). This is very important and means you can be confident in receiving the best possible service from BINSA.
It was with regret that we said
Advocacy Update goodbye to Kelly Millar due to her desire to pursue a different career path, and in the vein of ‘the show must go on’ Assistant Advocate Tegan Whittard has stepped up as Acting Advocate.
As part of the Learning and Life Skills component of the program, the participants have discussed and formulated a list of places they would like to visit this year. One of the most popular places requested to visit has been the Central Markets (CM). Springboard’s participants benefit from the community visits in a number of ways. A popular activity for the CM visit is a scavenger hunt where participants are given a list of items to find such as the most expensive chocolate, the most exotic fruit etc.
Tegan began working in the advocacy team in August 2013 and enjoys working with everyone providing a range of advocacy support.
The CM is a great place to stimulate the senses, smelling the mixture of aromas, hearing the different sounds, feeling different textures and tasting the range of available foods on display.
We love to get feedback, positive and constructive as it helps us improve our services and keeps us in touch with what you are experiencing. We are currently working on a new pamphlet on the Complaints Process.
Often when attending difficult meetings it is only her skills and expertise that make the difference in supporting the person with an ABI.
It is also a challenge for our participants to navigate the changes in surfaces underfoot as well as the vast amount of people.
We value our volunteers and are always looking for more!
If you have any advocacy issue Tegan is available Monday to Wednesday, please contact her on 8217 7603/1300 733 049 or email on tegan@binsa.org
Thank you for your compliments and comments, keep them coming.
If you have experience, such as administration, events mgmt, information production etc plus a desire to volunteer your time at BINSA, then I want to hear from you - Check out the website www.binsa.org for full volunteers criteria - or please call me - 8217 7600/1300 733 049 or email me - karen@binsa. org - I would love to hear from you. 4
We are currently recruiting for a permanent Advocate.
Springboard Program Another year has begun for the Springboard Program and everyone involved is looking forward to the exciting and challenging times ahead.
2014 BINSA’s Pre-Election Forum: Hon Tammy Franks Greens SA, Senator Elect Bob Day, Family First, Hon Duncan McFetridge (MP), Liberal SA, Mr Rick Neagle, Dignity 4 Disability, Hon Susan Close (MP). Labor SA
Rajbir Gill, MA SW Flinders Uni 500 hr practicum - with BINSA crew on completion of her placement at BINSA - good luck Raj - great food!
I
S N
A Victoria Zelipski on receiving her Diploma and Cert IV in Disability
After completing the scavenger hunt we all sit down to enjoy a well-earned rest and have a lovely lunch. Look out for the new Springboard Program components commencing 1 July 2014. If you have an ABI or anyone you know has - and need slow rehab - contact Victoria Zelipski Coordinator Springboard on 8217 7600/1300 733 049 or email vicki@binsa.org Jordan Forrest (see his bio
Springboard’s Wednesday Group at Central Markets. Left-right Monica Ayliffe, Sue Rowlands, Jordan Forrest and Minh Nguyen.
A sample of our regional program - this is eRTP at the Barossa late last year 5
BINSA PHOTOS - Yesterday and Today - A Blast from the Past and famous for a day - are you in this display!
BINSA ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Springboard Program, Peak Body Learning and Lifeskils
Reconnect Transition Program
BINSA gratefully acknowledges the funding received from the Department of Social Services (DSS) NDAP Advocacy, EMR Advocacy Component
BINSA Photos
Gary Higgins, Tegan Whittard (BINSA) and Julie Haynes (Uniting Communities) attending the BINSA Northern ABI Network event
A Sense of Art - Community Learning and Lifeskills Program - our artists’ impressions - magic!
Always check the website www.binsa.org for details, lots more information and up to date links and latest news on ABI and more.
Chris Farrand, Counsellor BINSA - Happy Birthday Chris! 6
7
BINSA PHOTOS - Yesterday and Today - Cont’d
BINSA PROGRAM REPORTS (CONT.)
Counsellor Counselling around Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is always full of unexpected twists and turns, further complicated by the difficulty some people have, expressing what they have been, or, are experiencing, through their ABI.
However, the exciting news for February has been BINSA’s first referral for a client accessing the External Review process in South Australia.
Some of the more common aspects of counselling covered include: adjustment to life after ABI; changes in lifestyle; information around ABI; relationships after ABI and a desire to meet others with ABI.
What this means is that clients will now start to progress through to the EMR process, as internal reviews are being dealt with by NDIA and decisions are now at the point where external review can be sought.
That being said, as ABI can affect practically every single aspect of people’s lives, there is not much that cannot be discussed in a counselling setting.
So all of the education and information sessions have paid off and information has been received by parents and support workers.
This counselling setting is confidential, safe, supportive and free of charge.
Also due to the positive education program we have run, we are receiving many contacts from clients who are going through the internal review process.
If any of the above sounds like it could be of benefit to you, please don’t hesitate to contact Chris on 8217 7601 or chris@binsa.org. Chris’s counselling hours are Wednesday to Friday from 12 noon until 5pm.
External Merits Review Support Service (EMRSS) Advocate EMRSS has been facilitating information and educational sessions around Adelaide over the past three months, addressing the entire review process of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). We have presented information 8
to staff and parents at Autism SA, parent networks throughout the state and the client management team at Scosa, to name a few.
These individuals are preparing themselves for the external review process, and are making contact in anticipation to gain support. If you have any family member, friend or maybe overhear a conversation about people seeking guidance in relation to decisions made by the NDIA they may not be happy with; please let them know about the EMRSS and that BINSA are the appropriate organisation in SA to assist them with these issues. Contact Amy on 8217 7608 or 1300 733 049 or email amy@ binsa.org Mon-Thurs 8am-4pm
Community Learning & Lifeskills (CL&L) Meetings continue at the Town Hall Café for the City Coffee Club and at Café de Villis Bakery at Mile End South for the Western Coffee Club. We have two new programs this year, “Destressing with Jonathon” and “A Sense of Art” with Katherine from Anglicare. We had great attendance for “Destressing with Jonathon” and those who attended Katherine’s art session thoroughly enjoyed the finger painting exercise. See our pics section for the results! We must stress that no artistic ability is required and the next session will be collage and paper marbling. If you have an ABI then join us - all are welcome to attend and flyers will be sent shortly with dates for both of these events. We are also establishing a regular Thursday afternoon ‘drop in’ combined CL&L and RTP alumni session to participate in recreational activities. We would like your ideas on the type of equipment needed and interests for the centre. Some suggestions have included lawn bowls, board games and cards. It will also be an opportunity for a coffee and chat. Flyers with more details will be sent out within the next few weeks. Check our website www. binsa.org for all details. Contact Shaneen on 8217 7605/1300 733 049 or email shaneen@binsa.org
Note Shaneen only works on Thursday 9am-5pm 9
BINSA Consultants, Volunteers and Advisory Groups October-December 2013 Specialist Consultants Angela Gregory – Accountant InterIntra – IT and Website Contractor James Burdon – burdon-a-wire Design Website Graphics Joan Tamiaans – Minute Taker – BINSA Board Karen Osborne – Psychologist, Independent Associate Cognition Michal Dutkiewicz – Website Illustrator Steve Elkins – Handyman Sue-Anne Gale - Speech Pathologist Dr Susanne Hillier – Physiotherapist
Student Practicum UniSA Health Promotion in Physiotherapy Caitlin Prior Kristian Ricci
Anna Miles Delores Wells Fiona Creed Liz Williams Tina Benbow
Reconnect Transition Program Mentors Advisory Group Bob Tetley Adrian Horan Colin Winsor Terry Somerville Mary Waite Donna Lambdon
Assuming Control
Con Polychronis Jacqui O’Daly WEA Julie Whitehead (ReLinkUp) Dr Miranda Jelbart Pauline Wood Peter Rovira (BIRCH) Dr Susan Hooper
Return to Work
BINSA PROGRAMS (CONT.)
Bill Wright Proactiv People Solutions –
RTP Alumni
WorkCover SA
Volunteers Springboard Program
The RTP Alumni continues to cover interesting and important topics for people with ABI.
Alison Scarborough Beck Closter David Bajjali Edward Weaver Fatema Sitabkhan Helen Wang Janelle Wood Jessie Wu Joan Brown Monica Ayliffe Patricia Jamieson Robert Semmens Suzanne Edwards Valmai Mackenzie Yang Kim (Hiro)
The February group focused on processing Issues after an ABI. This was a hot topic for those who attended, with cognitive and emotional processing being a central factor when talking about difficulties after ABI.
Administration General
Recreation was broken down into Re-Creation, highlighting the potential for people to develop new aspects of themselves after an ABI.
Keryl Beesley
Program Advisory/Events Support Committees Springboard Advisory Group 10
The March topic was Recreation, where we had a guest speaker - Julie Whitehead, a recreation officer from BIRCH. Julie came to discuss various benefits of and options for putting new recreation into our lives.
With more alumni meetings to
come throughout the year, with various topics of interest, we welcome new attendees and anyone who has been previously involved with any BINSA programs. If you would like any information on the above, or to attend future Alumni groups, please contact Chris on 8217 7601/1300 733 049 or email chris@binsa.org. Check out the enclosed flyer for all details
yRTP The youth Reconnect Transition Program (yRTP) is scheduled to commence again in May and is currently taking referrals. If you or someone you know has an ABI as a result of road trauma and is between the ages of 16 and 25 years register your interest now at info@binsa.org or by calling 8217 7600/1300 733 049
eRTP The express Reconnect Transition Program (eRTP) is a condensed version of RTP and aims to help make adjustments to life after an ABI a little easier by connecting people with others who share similar experiences. It is an interactive and social program where challenges, tips and strategies for ABI’s are discussed. This quarter eRTP was held at Pika Wiya Health Services in Port Augusta. So far the RTP team have held express Reconnect Transition Programs in Mount Gambier, Kapunda which included the surrounding Barossa district and Port Pirie. The team will be taking eRTP to Murray Bridge in May
BINSA PROGRAMS (CONT.)
Re-Wired Fitness So far this year the Re-Wired Fitness program has seen 2 participants transition to a gym in their local area. We have another program starting this Thursday with 2 new participants who are greatly looking forward to the program. The Re-Wired Fitness program aims to find accessible fitness options for individuals with an ABI and we are continually forming relations with suitable fitness facilities around Adelaide. In the past three months we have been working with two facilities that have been extremely helpful in accommodating individuals with an ABI, Access Fitness at Payneham and the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre at Marion. We have also been out to visit the exercise clinic at Regency TafeSA who offer affordable ongoing training for a limited number of individuals with chronic health conditions. The TafeSA run a Diploma of Fitness course and use the clinic to provide training for their students to work one on one with clients with chronic conditions while being supervised by an exercise physiologist. If you would like any further information about Re-Wired Fitness please contact Catherine by email catherine@binsa.org or call 82177607. The program costs $125 for 6 individually designed sessions.
Reconnect Transition Program (RTP) RTP kicked off the year with two days of mentor training in January. The turnout was exceptional and it was great to see so many of our wonderful volunteers back here to be involved as well as a few fresh new faces. RTP recently evolved into a new team with Ed Weaver returning to BINSA as RTP assistant. Ed previously worked in Springboard as a support worker and assisted briefly in Advocacy. Ed has an MA in Psychology from Adel Uni so is very well qualified and is enjoying the opportunity to be hands on in program delivery. Chris Farrand has also joined in doing more program delivery - so the RTP team is now Tegan, Chris and Ed. What a team! The Reconnect Transition Program is a free 8 week program aimed at individuals who are living with an acquired brain injury (ABI) as a result of road trauma. Our standard 8 week RTP commenced on March 14 2014 and will run through until May. For more information please contact Tegan on 08 8217 7603/1300 733 049 or email tegan@binsa.org - ThursdayFriday 9am-5pm.
Regional Programs South Eastern ABI Network (SEABIN)
BINSA will be back in the SE in May - check the website www.binsa.org for details in the near future Northern ABI Network (NABIN)
BINSA embarked on yet another journey into the iron triangle recently, and this time headed to Port Augusta on 20-21 March for the Northern Acquired Brain Injury Network (NABIN) meeting and express Reconnect Transition Program (eRTP). NABIN was very well received in the area and an interest from the media was sparked – a fantastic outcome for BINSA to really get the message out there and promote all the support and program available from BINSA for anyone affected by an ABI. See the pic from our visit on the pic pages. Constituents and professionals alike attended the networking meeting to discuss acquired brain injury, BINSA’s role and to identify local issues as they relate to brain injury. The key items picked up during the meeting were lack of knowledge in the area around ABI, lack of allied health professionals and the constant change of staff in the area and also a lack of general resources. BINSA hopes to establish an extended network in the iron triangle and facilitate community building, and influence gaining more services to those who often miss out due to their rural location. BINSA is looking forward to visiting Whyalla and Murray Bridge soon. Interested in becoming involved in any NABIN activities call 8217 600 or 1300 733 049 or info@binsa. org if you are. 11
Chief Executive Officer Mariann McNamara Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm 8217 7609 / 0412195296
BINSA Staff
BINSA Board (Voluntary) Chair – Joanna Andrew Neville Brown Dean Fyfe Pam Kirkham Nadia Moffatt Karl Mortimer Terence O’Rourke Simon West
Patron Professor Richard Clark
Springboard Program Assistant and Rewired Fitness Specialist Consultant Catherine Young Mon-Fri 9.30am-3pm 8217 7607
Coordinator Springboard Program Victoria Zelipski Mon-Fri 8217 7602
Coordinator Administration Karen Arthur Mon-Fri 9am-5pm except Wed 9am-2pm 8217 7600
Lyn Clark - Web Content Writer
PP 100001152
PRINT POST
Advocate (EMRSS) Amy Ambagtsheer Tues-Fri 8am-4pm 8217 7608
A/Advocate (NDAP) Tegan Whittard Mon-Wed Amy Ambagtsheer Mon 9am-5pm 8217 7603
Counsellor and Chris Farrand Tues–Fri 8217 7601
Bill Wright Cindy Gillespie Jordan Forrest Patrick Kiu
Springboard Support Workers
Brain Injury Network of South Australia Inc. 70 Light Square Adelaide SA 5000
If undelivered please return to
Community Learning and Lifeskills Coordinator Shaneen Renshaw Thursdays only 9am-5pm 8217 7605
Chris Farrand (incl RTP Alumni) Wed 9am-5pm 8217 7601
Ed Weaver Fri 9am-5pm 8217 7613
Assisting Reconnect Transition Program (RTP)
Reconnect Transition Program Coordinator - Tegan Whittard Thurs-Fri 9am-5pm 8217 7603
AUSTRALIA
POSTAGE PAID