Telehealth, The Silver Lining in 2020 - by Jessica Cochran
There are many lessons that New Zealanders and Australians have learnt throughout COVID-19. Whether it be the importance of getting daily sunshine and a walk, taking time for self-care or staying connected with friends, family and work colleagues. Even though there are many things that I’ve absorbed during COVID-19 in metro Melbourne, there is one thing particular that I will take with me as we go into the new “COVID normal” and it is something that I hope we continue to implement as time goes on and we rebuild our country.
How safe do you feel? - by Geoff Trappett OAM
How safe do you feel in your community? Do you feel disability leaves you vulnerable to abuse or assault? Ever thought what you could do about it?
I grew up sporty. Despite living with a disability my entire life I never saw myself as inherently vulnerable. I still don’t for the most part. But the world we live in certainly has been taking a weird and wacky turn lately so I came to examine not only my safety but being able to protect my family.
Intimate Relationships with a Disability - by Eliza-Ault Connell AM
'Oh, I thought she was your carer, is that actually your partner?'
In the world of disability and intimate relationships sadly this is a line that is heard too often. The assumption made purely on the basis of one person looking more able, that they must, in fact, be a caregiver, and that it's a shock an inter-ability relationship could possibly take place. Inter-ability relationships are described as a relationship between a person living with a disability and one who is not disabled. Basically, attraction over ability.
It’s Ok to Not be Ok – by Alicia Kapa
Life can get really hectic at times. Sometimes for a few days or weeks, but sometimes it can feel like forever and that there is going to be no end. Today, the world is completely different from what it was in January. It is full of uncertainty, anxiety, stress and a lot of tears. But there is also a lot of love and things to be grateful for if we take a moment to stop and think.
Meet Nutthaya Taeng-on (aka Nutty), Invacare’s Customer Service Representative in Thailand
Nutthaya Taeng-on (aka Nutty) is our Customer Service Representative in Thailand, and she loves the flexibility her role offers and dealing with so many different people from around the world.
“My responsibilities involve both export and domestic, and they provide me with many opportunities to connect with people, which I love. My role also includes a great deal of cultural diversity and I enjoy learning about different cultures and relish supporting these people in meeting their goals.”
When standard mobility equipment doesn’t work, what other options are there? – by Luke Meighan, Biomedical Engineer
Throughout my professional career, I have used a considerable amount of time and brainpower looking for solutions to people’s equipment needs. The cookie-cutter approach rarely works best, everyone is different, each situation is unique. This is reflected in the mountain of products available today, try Googling ‘wheelchair’ and see what comes up. How you navigate through the jungle can be no easy feat, thankfully there are many in this area who can help guide you through the selection and trial process, funding applications and more.
My thoughts on Standardised NDIS Assessments – by Marlena Katene
Can you pick up a pen and write your name?
I was bemused by the question!
Well no I have Cerebral Palsy Athetosis, I responded to the lady I had only met some 15 minutes prior to this dumb question.
We then continue with more questions that, if you took one look at me, were fairly obvious I could not achieve.
Can you put on your jumper independently?
Meet Ranunthorn Kooramasuwan, Regulatory Affairs Manager-Asia Pacific.
Ranunthorn loves her job and says that she is drawn to the challenges it presents her each day. “My role is Regulatory Affairs. This means that I deal with the authorities, for instance, Thai Customs, Thai FDA and the Excise Department. Invacare is a medical device importer company, so we have to follow the rules and regulations of each authority in each county. For every medical device and accessory, we have to obtain official approvals.”
How to endure pain – by Ian Walker
Discomfort, ache, agony, soreness are all words that mean the same thing. Pain!
Now pain is something that generally I try to avoid, however, this is not always possible because as many who also suffer from an incomplete spinal cord injury as I do will know, we endure pain every single day.
However, I discovered ways to ease the pain, to soften it, to pad it with something, so I don’t have to feel the full impact of it:
Dreaming of Tokyo – by Susan Seipel
The Summer Paralympics in Tokyo should be on right now, August 23rd- September 6th. The Games were, of course, postponed for the first time in history because of the coronavirus outbreak.
In early March this year, the WHO called Covid-19 a pandemic, that same week I was competing at the Paracanoe selection trials. Having satisfied all the selection criteria by winning both my kayak and outrigger canoe races, I was excitedly awaiting the official announcement of my selection onto the Australian Paralympic Team.