Creating capability from disability - Cerebral Palsy League

LeagueNews
Volume 31 Edition 1 Autumn 2007
Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland
Quarterly
Five hundred faces,
a frenzied hour of
face painting and a
broken world record
highlighted the Cerebral
Palsy League’s Colour
Your Day appeal and
raised vital funds and
awareness.
Creative sun protection in sunny
far north Queensland, Matthew
Lockey, four, points out his
favourite colours to Minister for
Disability Services, Hon Warren
Pitt, who launched a Guinness
World Record attempt for the
Colour Your Day appeal (More
page 15)
Photograph: Elenor Tedenborg, Cairns Post
Creating capability from disability
League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007 - Page

Broncos fan takes first
steps towards first game
FIVE-year-old Broncos fan,
Lochlain Harrod from Ipswich was
given the gift of walking in February
when fitted with his very own Hart
Walker, thanks to the Brisbane
Broncos Charities Fund.
Broncos up-and-coming star Dave
Taylor congratulated Lochlain on
his first steps in the walker, which
allows hands free mobility, and
presented him with a Broncos
football and invitation to the first
game of the season, to help mark
the special day.
Lochlain took his
first steps towards
Brisbane Bronco,
Dave Taylor... in the
Hart Walker funded
by the Broncos’
charities fund
Lochlain’s mum, Jill said her family
was grateful and excited to receive
the Hart Walker.
“We’re all terribly excited, he’s
walking around all over the place
and it’s just at the right time
developmentally for him,” Mrs
Harrod said.
“The Hart Walker will really give
him some independence.
“It’s great what the Broncos are
doing, they’ve been able to help us
and hopefully they can help other
families as well,” she said
Dave Taylor said he found Lochlain
inspiring.
“It’s a real inspiration to see young
Lochlain, most of us take walking
for granted, it’s just great to see
him up and getting around,” Dave
said.
A second Hart Walker fitting,
sponsored by the Australia Lions
Children’s Mobility Foundation,
also took place with three-year-old
Tara Shapland.
Hart Walkers cost almost $12,000
to purchase and maintain, putting
the device out of reach for many
families.
Page - League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007
Photograph courtesy of the Courier Mail

More than one gift horse
THE League relies heavily on
community funds granted from
trusts and foundations like the
Broncos’, which, in addition to
funding a Hart Walker valued at
almost $12,000, continued its
support with a grant of $200 to
expand its Gym Program.
Although cerebral palsy has
no cure, exercise is vital to its
management and the League’s
Gym Program aims to encourage
children with cerebral palsy to
exercise.
Based on games to strengthen
muscles, help with balance and
coordination, the eight-week
sessions involve gym work and
are held in school terms.
Donated funds will go towards the
purchase of a stationary bike, wrist
and ankle weights.
Physiotherapist, Megan Hudson
said she believed if she could make
body movements and strengths
training a fun activity, children
would join in and be encouraged
to continue their development
outside of the organised training
sessions offered in the protective
environment of the League.
“Activities are designed to build
strength in the upper, trunk and
lower body, plus improve the
cardiovascular system,” Ms
Hudson said.
“Children attending the program to
date were measured before and
after their eight-week sessions
and have been impressed with the
results,” she said.
Funds to maintain services and
support provided by the League
come from many sources, including
those received this quarter from:
James N. Kirby Foundation
$5,000 toward the cost of
purchasing mounting devices for
voice output devices
Gambling Community Benefit
Fund
$7,750 to support arts and culture
in Rockhampton, and
St George Foundation
$1,656 to purchase special
equipment for four children.
CEO Foreword
Fig Tree Pocket
Redevelopment
AFTER many years of
discussion and planning about
the future of the Cerebral
Palsy League’s Sevenoaks
accommodation facility at Fig
Tree Pocket, the future has
arrived.
Progress on the redevelopment
of Sevenoaks and the Fig Tree
Pocket site is now happening
fairly quickly.
This is a very exciting time for
the residents of Sevenoaks.
It is possible that the League
will commence building six new
houses that will accommodate
the residents of Sevenoaks, by
August 2007.
Before construction can
commence, the first stage of
demolition will need to occur
to make room for the new
houses.
The first stage of demolition
will involve the old laundry/
main switch room and the
accommodation wings known
as “Ellimatta” and “Sunrise”.
The focus of the project
at present is on obtaining
development approval from
the Brisbane City Council for
the establishment of the large
allotment on which the new
houses and communal facility
buildings will be constructed.
Planning approval for the new
buildings is also being sought.
In parallel with this, the
final details of the building
requirements are being
developed and the architect will
commence the detailed design
stage for the new houses.
It is estimated that construction
of the new buildings will take
approximately 12 months.
Bruce Milligan
Chief Executive Officer
In this issue
Face Off 15
Face painting challenge for the
Colour Your Day Appeal
Dad’s dealing with disability 11
Fathers are not alone on raising
children with a disability
Camp Have a Chat 6
Augmentative communication
training with a difference
Urgent upgrades 8
$1.2 million needed for facilities
in the South Queensland Country
region
Swapping wheels 10
Young people swap wheelchairs for
hot wheels at Scarborough
New Image for Julia 11
Access Employment Service
finds the perfect fit
Thinking outside the chair 16
Register now for the CP Australia
conference at the Gold Coast
Cerebral Palsy League
ABN 27 009 942 269
55 Oxlade Drive New Farm Q 4005
PO Box 386 Fortitude Valley Q 4006
www.cplqld.org.au
Executive Management Team
Bruce Milligan
Chief Executive Officer
P: 07 3358 8003 F: 07 3254 1291
E: bmilligan@cplqld.org.au
Geoff Rowe
Service Development and Policy
P: 07 3358 8014 F: 07 3254 1291
E: growe@cplqld.org.au
Greg Cuffe
Organisational Services
P: 07 3358 8064 F: 07 3254 7387
E: gcuffe@cplqld.org.au
Stuart Pilton
Human Resources
P: 07 3358 8078 F: 07 3358 8103
E: spilton@cplqld.org.au
Margaret Scott
Marketing and Fundraising
P: 07 3358 8090 F: 07 3358 2495
E: mscott@cplqld.org.au
League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007 - Page

Parents and Guardians
Association
THE first meeting of the year for
the Parents and Guardians (P&G)
Association has been held and
2007 will present some challenging
opportunities for us.
The P&G’s Terms of Reference is
now in draft form and on behalf of all
involved, I would like to thank P&G
members and supporters Wendy
Lavelle, Gavin Ford and Carol Barton
for their valuable assistance.
The draft will be submitted to the
Cerebral Palsy League’s Board of
Directors for approval.
On behalf of the P&G, I would like to
thank League Board Director Kevin
Rodgers, who recently resigned, for
his eight years of service.
Kevin always understood
the concerns of parents with
children with cerebral palsy and,
particularly, the clients at the
League’s accommodation service,
Sevenoaks.
We would like to extend a warm
welcome to new Board Director,
Michael Pini, who many parents
on the P&G may remember as
having resided at accommodation
facilities for children with cerebral
palsy, Wybena (known as the old
White House), and Harold Crawford
House.
In other news, we explored the
possibility of an information brochure
for new parents, to explain services
available from the League.
We are also concerned with the
small number of League financial
members and will be supporting
a drive to encourage new and
renewed membership from parents
of children with cerebral palsy, and
friends.
The Mothers’ Luncheon, mentioned
in the previous edition of League
News, will be held on 24 October.
Further information will be available
in the next edition of League News.
The P&G trusts 2007 will prove a
rewarding year for all League clients,
families and staff.
Joan Williams
President
Parents & Guardians Association
State Client Consultative
Committee
THE State Client Consultative
Committee (CCC) completed
elections late last year and was
thrilled to welcome new, energised
representatives.
The representatives for this year in
addition to me are Jenny Johnson
(Vice Chair), Mary Albury, Nigel
Webb and Katrina Frahm.
The alternates for the Cerebral
Palsy League’s Adult Service
(North and South) are Joan
Leonard and Shane McFarlane.
The committee circulated a
discussion paper late last year
outlining options for the Annual
Client Convention for 2007 and
beyond, using resulting feedback
in a Planning Day held in January.
Exciting news from this review was
that there will be a Convention
in Brisbane this year where the
committee can announce ongoing
plans for the event.
It is important to remember that the
review, which has been a significant
project, and discussions about the
Convention were an initiative of
the State CCC.
The League has in no way
withdrawn support for the
Convention and is supportive of
the committee’s desire to create
events using existing resources
that are more accessible to all
clients.
Other projects initiated as results of
the Planning Day will be circulated
in coming weeks.
THE Client Consultative
Committee (CCC) is a
representative group of
people who receive services
through the Cerebral Palsy
League, which makes
strategic recommendations
to the organisation based on
consultation with other clients.
The committee is made up of
Regional CCC representatives
who are elected to sit on the
State Committee.
Each Regional CCC is made
up of representatives from site
committees.
Major goals identified in the plan
for 2007 are to develop the basis
for a CCC in regional areas.
Actions include:
• Increase site visits by CCC
representatives to discuss
issues and inform clients about
State CCC activities
• Circulate information about the
CCC and its structure
• Finalise documents proposed
for review
• Review CCC information for use
in staff and client inductions
• Liaise with the Cerebral Palsy
League’s Board of Directors to
develop communication forums
on the organisation’s website
• Develop a reporting system
outlining activities for the year.
Many of these actions are
responses to the feedback the
committee received during last
year’s consultation about how it
could do things better, and we
are looking forward to an exciting,
productive year.
In other news, last month the
State CCC received the sad
news that the League’s long-term
Board Director Kevin Rodgers
had resigned as a Director and
would no longer be attending the
committee’s meetings.
Kevin was a Board representative
at our meetings for many years
and his genuine regard for people
with a disability was evident in all
his dealings with the State CCC.
We will greatly miss his company
and his contribution and we wish
him well.
I look forward to seeing familiar
and new faces at the 11th Annual
Client Convention in August, if not
before.
Regards,
Terry Donaldson
Chairperson, State CCC
Page - League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007

capability
Q u e e n s l a n d
In response to requests for additional therapy services, the Cerebral
Palsy League established Capability Queensland Private Therapy
Service to allow access to additional services on a user-pays basis.
Therapists providing these services are employed by the League
and are registered with the Health Insurance Commission to enable
clients to claim services from their private health insurers. Services
available are:
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Speech pathology
Psychology
Adults and children can access Capability Queensland Private
Therapy Service. Therapy sessions can take place at the clinic or at
home. However, travel expenses will be incurred for home visits.
Appointments will vary depending on the service being provided.
Specific costing for your service will be provided once your needs
have been identified during the initial visit. For further information,
or a Schedule of Fees, contact Capability Queensland Private
Therapy Service.
Capability Queensland
Private Therapy Service
Brisbane - Ph: 07 3347 7200
Wide Bay Burnett - Ph: 07 4124 8000
Gold Coast - Ph: 07 5532 2088
Toowoomba - Ph: 07 4688 9400
NAB donates to
early intervention
therapy
CHILDREN with cerebral
palsy living in Brisbane’s south
benefited from a donation
to provide early intervention
services through the Cerebral
Palsy League, and prepare
them for the new school year.
National Australia Bank
(NAB) donated funds from its
Community Donation Scheme
and the efforts of Christmas
gift wrapping to the League in
Mt Gravatt.
League Regional Manager,
Branka Carter said the
donation of some $600
would purchase equipment
for a therapist-run playgroup
specially geared for kids with
physical disability aged zero
to five years.
“Using modified activities and
strategies the playgroup aims
to develop social skills and
play techniques to prepare
kids with physical disabilities
for child care or school prep,”
Ms Carter said.
Branch Manager for NAB
at Garden City, Gerri Quinn
said the bank’s employees
nominated the League
because of its work with
children.
“Providing the best start for
children in life is so important
NAB staff have been proud
to support the League’s
initiatives,” Mrs Quinn said.
Cerebral palsy is the most
common physical disability in
childhood caused by damage
to the developing brain, which
has no known cure.
The League provides vital
services to thousands of
Queenslanders with the
disability, including some 50
families in the Mt Gravatt
area.
Q U E E N S L A N D
Cerebral Palsy
League of Queensland
www.cplqld.org.au
www.cplqld.org.au/capability/privatetherapy
League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007 - Page

Camp Have a Chat
Lisa (Parent),
Brisbane
AS a parent of a child, Ben, who
participated in the recent Camp
Have a Chat run by the Cerebral
Palsy League for children who
have a severe level of disability
and use communication devices,
I am writing to thank Allens
Arthur Robinson (AAR) and their
Charity Committee and the Non-
Schools Organisations’ (NSO)
Australian Government Targeted
Programmes, for supporting this
project.
Ben is a delightful and social
seven-year-old who has severe
spastic quadriplegic cerebral
palsy. He cannot roll, sit or stand
without assistance and is unable
to speak. When the Camp started,
Ben had just received his Mini-Mo
communication device (which he
can access using a head-switch)
and we had not used it at all, except
for a short trial period. Camp Have
a Chat has helped greatly in giving
us a good immediate grounding
about how Ben can use the device
– and even about how he can use
it to control remote controlled toys
like a “Robo-raptor”.
Camp Have a Chat was a
great experience for us as we
were supported in using and
programming Ben’s communication
device, and in normalising its use
through the arts-based activities
that constituted a large part of the
program.
It was great to see and learn
from other children from around
Queensland, who were more
experienced and advanced in
using their devices, and it was also
fantastic for Ben to be outside his
normal milieu and experiencing
different things – he particularly
enjoyed the beach ceremony.
I think one of the strengths of the
program is that the children, their
family, therapists from the League
and teachers from the child’s
own school have the opportunity
to work together in a concerted
manner for an extended period
of time to maximise the child’s
communication potential.
Ben’s use of the Mini-Mo (which
he also takes to school) is proving
to be a liberating experience for
him and for us as his family as he
is now able to tell us things that
he couldn’t in the past (even if
it’s just that something is, “boring
and he wants to do something
else.” I guess that this is a normal
statement for a seven-year-old).
However, we recognise that it
will require perseverance for Ben
and us as parents to continue to
maximise benefits he receives
from his device. We certainly
intend to be part of the next Camp
Have a Chat in 2007.
On Ben’s behalf, I thank AAR
and the NSO for their support of
the League and program. It is a
very important program for the
16 children and families (and
therapists and teachers) who
attend. I hope that AAR and NSO
staff who attended during the
Camp saw the fantastic potential
of our kids, and also understood
that their generous support directly
contributed to our kids optimising
their communication skills.
CAMP Have a Chat focuses
on developing augmentative
communication skills of Queensland
students aged eight to 18 years who are
learning to communicate with symbols
and other communication devices,
and the skills of the parents and
professionals who assist them.
Over three days and nights, children are
motivated to communicate by exploring
their creativity and personality using
drama and visual arts.
Camp Have a Chat is auspiced by
the Cerebral Palsy League, with
support from organisations, grants and
foundations. Supporters have included
the Commonwealth Special Education
Program - Non Schools Organisations
and Allens Arthur Robinson.
Camp Have a Chat 2007
1 - 4 October 2007
For further information, contact:
Camp Have a Chat Coordinator
mhinselwood@cplqld.org.au
www.cplqld.org.au/services/
camphaveachat
Page - League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007

Screech Theatre Company
offers to teach teenagers
of all abilities new skills
through interactive drama
workshops, which culminate
in community performances.
Registration is now open for
a 12 week program, which
will be held in Brisbane on
Saturdays.
For further information
please contact Screech
Theatre Company.
Phone: 07 3347 7200
cneville@cplqld.org.au
____
QUT Staff fund vital
equipment
FOR the past eight years,
Queensland University of
Technology employees have
helped fund the purchase
of much needed equipment
and resources for the
Cerebral Palsy League, and
the families it supports.
Each year, QUT staff grant
funds totalling up to $20,000
to chosen charities from their
Staff Community Welfare
Fund.
They receive a large number
of applications for assistance,
from which they select about
15 to receive grants.
In total, the League has
received almost $10,000
from the QUT staff fund for
the purchase wheelchairs,
communication devices
and specialist books for its
Library.
The League relies on support
from staff and communities,
for which it is most grateful.
$1.2 million needed
for urgent upgrades in
Toowoomba
TOOWOOMBA and Darling Downs
business leaders were called on
to ‘take the lead’ and get behind
a push by the Cerebral Palsy
League to upgrade its Toowoomba
care facilities.
The League estimated a major
upgrade to its Scott Street,
Toowoomba facility would cost
around $1.2 million.
“After consulting and reviewing
current plans during a site visit
with local property developer, Clive
Berghoffer, we plan to undertake
redevelopment in stages with the
commencement of urgent repairs
in the first of three,” CEO of the
League, Bruce Milligan said.
“Over the past ten
years, our facilities
in Toowoomba have
met the needs and
assisted hundreds of
people, many of them
children, who have
cerebral palsy.
“As the population of Queensland
grows, so too does the number of
people with cerebral palsy who
need our help.
“Plans for the staged development
are currently being developed,” he
said.
It is planned the refurbished building
will also be available for use by
other community organisations
for training, respite and disabilityrelated
therapy services.
The League needs to significantly
upgrade its Scott Street facility,
which requires a new roof and
expanded and refurbished support
facilities.
“Businesses which assist the
League to renovate the facility
will be offered various naming
rights opportunities as well as total
naming rights to the Scott Street
building,” Mr Milligan said.
Mr Milligan said the longer it took
to raise the money, the more
expensive the project would
become due to the increasing
building costs.
“The local business community has
been good to the Cerebral Palsy
League in the past, through many
different fundraising ventures for
which we are grateful,” Mr Milligan
said.
“The League is asking the
Toowoomba and Darling Downs
business community to continue
supporting its clients in this region
and take the lead in this fund
raising appeal,” he said.
The League creates capability
from disability. It is funded through
support from the community, the
Queensland corporate sector and
Government, as well as fundraising
activities.
Services provided by the
Cerebral Palsy League in
Toowoomba include:
• Therapy and social
work services,
equipment support
and accommodation
support
• Adult Day Services
involving Post-school
Services
• Respite services
• Emergency respite
• Training
• Vacation care
• Adult Accommodation
Australia Day Award
On 26 January 2007 Byron
Albury received an Australia Day
Community Service Award for
his involvement in advocating for
people with disabilities raising
community awareness.
Byron has been a client of the
Cerebral Palsy League for much
of his life and contributes to the
organisation’s strategic direction
through consultation.
Congratulations Byron.
League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007 - Page

capability
Q u e e n s l a n d
Who is Capability Queensland
Consulting and Training
In April 2005 Disability Services Queensland (DSQ) chose the
Cerebral Palsy League to be on the “Learning and
Organisational Development Panel of Consultants”.
This means that we can provide support to other DSQ funded
services to develop their systems to comply with the Disability
Sector Quality System (DSQS).
The League has seen this as an opportunity to broaden its
consulting and training role through its new initiative:
“Capability Queensland – Consulting and Training”
Why should another organisation choose Capability
Queensland to support them in developing their Quality
Management System
• The Cerebral Palsy League has been a part of the
disability services sector for more than 50 years
• Our services have achieved certification against the
DSQS, which means we can share valid knowledge and
processes
• Our consulting team has experts in disability service
delivery with internal quality consulting expertise
• We operate a broad range of services and service
models enabling us to consult across a broad spectrum
of needs
• We have a major commitment to the DSQS working for
everybody
Q U E E N S L A N D
Striving for Quality Services for
People with Disabilities
Ph: (07) 3358 8001
www.cplqld.org.au/capability
capability@cplqld.org.au
Disability Services Queensland (DSQ)
www.dsq.qld.gov.au
Cerebral Palsy
League of Queensland
www.cplqld.org.au
Recognition of
Excellence
CEREBRAL Palsy League staff are
nominated quarterly by colleagues
and management for recognition
of their efforts towards achieving
the organisation’s mission for
people with cerebral palsy, and
their families.
The Recognition of Excellence for
the period October - December
2006 was awarded to David Gill,
Personal Care Assistant with
League Adult Accommodation
Service (LAAS) North.
David’s Manager, Sandra Anderson
said, “David has always provided
an extremely high standard of
support to the clients he works
with.
“He consistently goes the extra
mile in all aspects of his role and is
committed to ensuring that client’s
individual needs are met.”
Other nominees were:
Leann Holmes
Moorooka ADS
Penny Atfield
Service Development and Policy
Graeme Seale
LAAS North
Jan Hartwell
Pathwayz
Patricia Bell
Sevenoaks
Vicki Love
Marketing and Fundraising
Sarah Day
Printabout City
Anthony Dillon
Printabout Strathpine
Julie Ferris
Moorooka ADS
Shae Antich
LAAS Sunshine Coast
Susan Robison
ATSW South
Wayne Tracey
Organisational Services
Adim Benmaadi
Organisational Services
Peter Lewis
LAAS Gold Coast
Katrina Marshall
LAAS Gold Coast
Charon Hindmarsh
LAAS Gold Coast
Page - League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007

Do something
useful with
your balls!
Lindley’s Panel Works
Charity Golf Open
Sunday 1 July 2007
Rockhampton Golf Club
Anne Street
Registration: 11:00am
Tee Off: Noon shotgun start
To nominate, phone:
07 4922 4403
Q U E E N S L A N D
Cerebral Palsy
League of Queensland
Dad’s dealing with
disability
BARRY Gibbs didn’t have the
experience of seeing his daughter
running to show him her Christmas
gifts each year.
The hardest experience of all to
get over was the 30 seconds which
changed his family’s life forever.
A good marriage should stay
together forever, but looking after
children, with or without a disability,
is not all women’s work and not
always easy.
That was just one of the reasons
Barry joined the Cerebral Palsy
League’s Men’s Group.
“My daughter Kelly was born with
cerebral palsy as a result of my
wife, Kerry, contracting a virus
when she was pregnant,” Barry
said.
“We were told the
virus could stay alive
for 30 seconds in the
air but it only took
that long to affect my
wife and daughter - I
think about it all the
time.
“It has been very hard, to come to
terms with this.
“Kelly is now 18, but we were told
early on not to have any more
children, as they would be born
with cerebral palsy too; so I had a
vasectomy.
“Later, we were told Kerry was
immune to the virus, but reversing
the vasectomy didn’t work and we
had to come to terms with the fact
that we were only meant to have
one child,” Barry said.
His family didn’t have a close group
of relatives or friends to help with
support, so the Men’s Group and
other respite and support groups
helped.
“I think males are scared to go to
groups like this – more need to
get out of the family environment
to spend a couple of hours away
– it helps deal with what feels
like overwhelming issues which
come from managing kids with a
disability,” Barry said.
“It is a great way to spend a couple
of hours of fun amongst males
who share similar circumstances
and spend some time away from
a sometimes stressful home
environment, to make new
friends.
“You can talk amongst each other
and know that you are not the
only one dealing with disability
- different parents find different
ways to cope,” he said.
League Social Worker Ian Brown
said he started the Men’s Group to
provide fathers with an opportunity
to discuss issues important to
them, while focusing on their role
in caring for their child.
“From a worker’s perspective, I
identified that fathers have less
exposure to agencies such as the
League,” Mr Brown said.
“In my own experience, mothers
are predominantly the main carers
of children with a disability on a
daily basis,” Mr Brown said.
“Fathers tend to be either working
or have other restrictions around
access to their children.”
The initial aim for the group was
to allow fathers to build networks,
share experiences of caring for
their child, and discuss issues that
they feel were important to them.
“It brings fathers of children with
a disability together as part of an
informal support network, male
oriented environment where they
can relate to each other,” Mr Brown
said.
The first Men’s Group was held
at Corinda Golf Course where
attending fathers got to know each
other over a round of golf and a
barbecue.
“The response was overwhelming
and feedback from fathers about
their interests for future groups
included Skirmish, Go Karting or a
fishing trip,” Mr Brown said.
For further information:
Men’s Group Coordinator
Phone: 07 3347 7200
League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007 - Page

Roy James Purchase
(1923 – 2007)
ROY Purchase was an
exceptional person.
He was the first person with
cerebral palsy to be employed
by the Cerebral Palsy League
and was the most well known
and longest serving driver of its
buses.
For over 20 years Roy
transported League clients to
school and workshops.
He had a faultless record and
was always on time, courteous
and nothing was too much
trouble for him.
This made him the ideal
President of the Adult Spastic
Club, as it was called then.
Roy met and married Valda
Dempster, a trained handicraft
instructor.
Swapping wheelchairs
for hot wheels
A FEW lucky young people
who attend the Cerebral Palsy
League’s Brisbane north service,
swapped wheelchairs for hot
wheels when they took to the
streets of Scarborough on Harley
Davidson’s as part of a special
respite program.
Glasshouse Mountains Ulysses
Bike Club members: Drums, Tojo
and Irene, Towbar, Budgie and
Val and Roy, after his retirement,
lived happily at Beachmere
when, like all of us, age began
to ‘catch up’. They then made
the decision to move to a lovely
retirement village in Sandgate.
Roy is survived by his wife and
their delightful daughter, Debra.
Debra, husband John, and their
daughter Ruby were a great
delight to Roy over the years,
and continue to be for Val.
Roy accepted his disability,
which he did not let deter him
from leading a full life.
As Debra said in her eulogy of
her father, “there was not a ‘dad
thing’ which he did not do and
he was a well known ‘Mr Fix-it’
with household maintenance”.
To Valda, Debra, John and Ruby,
the Cerebral Palsy League
remembers Roy and offers our
condolences.
Butterfly volunteered their time to
cut laps of the foreshore with their
passengers for several hours.
League risk assessor, Coral
Niethe kept a watchful eye and
said support workers were just
as awesome with their transfer
techniques as Ulysses members
were with their driving skills.
“Staff assisted the young people
from their wheelchairs to sit either
on the bikes or in the sidecar
giving up their usual transport
for something a little cooler, and
Poem for the League
By Juanita Hansen
Our League has many roles to
play;
Providing support and
empowerment everyday;
The greatest resource we have is
our team,
Each of our members works
towards common dreams.
It is not an easy role to fulfil.
There are challenges many and
time won’t stand still.
We know you work hard with little
reward,
But the effort you make can not
be ignored.
With your great passion, hard
work and endurance;
The people we work with have
faith and assurance;
That opportunities and choices
will be theirs to enjoy,
Due to you a great team member
that the League has employed.
faster,” Ms Niethe said.
Respite is one of a number of
programs available for schoolaged
children who receive services
through the League.
For further information, contact
the League on 07 3621 3800.
Below: Young people with cerebral palsy
swapped wheelchairs for hot wheels with
Ulysses Bike Club members and League
support workers, as part of a holiday program
by the Scarborough seaside.
Page 10 - League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007

New image for Julia at
Photo Continental
WHEN Julia contacted Access
Employment Service to help her find
the job she was looking for, she didn’t
realise she would find the love of her
life as well.
Born with cerebral palsy, Julia has
spent much of her life overcoming the
disability and at 20, is a recognised
swimmer with prospects for the Special
Olympic Team, and a confident public
speaker.
But Julia also wanted to put her
determination and drive into realising
what would seem to some, like a
WHEN Julia contacted
Access Employment
Service to help her find
the job she was looking
for, she didn’t realise
she would find the love
of her life as well.
smaller accomplishment: going to
work.
She registered with Access
Employment Service, an initiative of
the Cerebral Palsy League, to help
find a role which suited her needs, as
well as offered the opportunity to learn
new skills.
Before long, she was employed with
Photo Continental, one of the largest
photo and imaging specialists in the
southern hemisphere.
Here she learned new skills in
customer service and floor monitoring,
and won the hearts of colleagues and
customers, including that of future
husband, Blake.
“It’s been really good – I love
it – other staff don’t treat me
differently at all; they talk and
treat me like a real person – not
like someone with a disability,”
Julia said.
“Meeting Blake was wonderful
too; we just feel like we have
known each other for a very
long time.
“We have so much in common
and have the same goals in life
- to be healthy and have fun.”
Photo Continental Human
Resource Manager, Andrew
McPherson said he was
determined to bring someone
into the role because of what
they had to offer – not just
because they had a disability.
“Julia is gaining a real
employment experience and,
just by being here, has increased
staff morale and teamwork,” Mr
McPherson said.
“Julia has an exceptionally,
overwhelmingly bright and
magnetic personality that both
staff and customers are drawn
to.”
Access Job Development
Officer, Tony Cameron said Julia
and Photo Continental were a
perfect job match and matched
each other in motivation and
enthusiasm.
“Photo Continental treats Julia
as any other employee, despite
her disability, which is important
because Julia doesn’t feel like
she is different,” Mr Cameron
said.
“She showed her enthusiasm
throughout her training period,
and the company allowed her
enough time to learn the role.
“Her enthusiasm has affected
the whole work area.”
For further information about
Access Employment Service
and contact information,
visit:
www.cplqld.org.au/access
League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007 - Page 11

League Volunteers
make a big difference
VOLUNTEERS can be found
within Cerebral Palsy League
services and the wider community
from far north Queensland to the
state’s south-east corner.
They are people who find
time in their already busy lives
to support the League, and
increase opportunities for many
children and adults who have
cerebral palsy.
Volunteers can range in age from
16 to 80 and include job seekers,
corporate staff, community
service groups, part-time and
full-time workers and retirees,
who are often the busiest of all.
Often preferring not to have
a big fuss made about their
contribution, their assistance
is nevertheless very much
appreciated.
For information or to volunteer
with the League, contact:
Volunteer Coordinator
Ph: 07 3358 8008
Volunteers (left to right)
Lynda Broderick, Jill Walker
and Roger Broderick from
Pathwayz, an adult day
service of the Cerebral Palsy
League, recruit more helpers at
Kenmore Shopping Centre.
Page 12 - League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007

with Keith Hampton
Q U E E N S L A N D
Cerebral Palsy
League of Queensland
League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007 - Page 13

Colour Your Boss
IT wasn’t just business and
schools getting involved in the
appeal this year, with League
staff holding all manner of
colourful events across the
state.
Some would have been green
with envy for a crowning glory
like that of Cerebral Palsy
League Regional Manager,
Judy Dickson, who used her
locks to lead the Colour Your
Day appeal in Moorooka this
year.
Judy surrendered her
usual subtle tones to a
bright shade of forest
green as part of the
League’s Moorooka Day
Service’s fundraising
efforts.
Coupled with a day spent
cooking up a sausage storm in
their car park out of the rain and
sporting specially crafted Colour
Your Day T-shirts, almost 50
staff and clients raised more
than $1000 for the appeal.
The challenge now is how to
top this year’s efforts for the
next Colour Your Day Appeal,
with body piercing and tattoo
suggestions in hot coloured
contention.
By booking your travel requirements through the Flight Centre
at Milton, you will be helping provide vital therapy and support
to families affected by cerebral palsy - the most common
physical disability in childhood.
07 3220 3211
Help create capability from disability - through travel
Page 14 - League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007

Five teachers from Craigslea
State School face painted
500 faces in one hour using
a minimum of three colours
to break a Guinness World
Record, as part of the Colour
Your Day Appeal.
Pictured: David Fitzsimmons was one of five
teachers brightening up their students’ day at
the Guinness World Record attempt during the
Colour Your Day Appeal.
Photograph: Glen Male, Quest Community Newspapers
A frenzied hour of face
painting
IT took 500 faces, 60 sponges,
40 bottles of face paint, 20
paintbrushes and five teachers to
break a world record, but Craigslea
State School in Brisbane did it for
the Cerebral Palsy League.
Students, including seven who
have cerebral palsy, teachers and
parents all took part in a frenzied
hour of face painting to break a
Guinness World Record.
Launched by Minister for Disability
Services the Hon Warren Pitt, in
Cairns – the attempt encouraged
state-wide participation in the
League’s Colour Your Day appeal
held in February.
Teachers needed to face paint more
than 406 faces using a minimum
of three colours, in one hour to
break the current record, which
they achieved in 43 minutes.
Students also showed their support
for classmates with cerebral palsy
by making gold coin donations and
dressing in casual clothes to raise
more than $700 for the League.
Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Disability Services,
Stirling Hinchliffe said support
like that which the school showed
went a long way to improving the
lives and educational opportunities
for Queensland children with
disabilities.
“Craigslea State School has been
a strong supporter of the Cerebral
Palsy League and students with
a disability for many years,” Mr
Hinchliffe said.
Principal of Craigslea State
School, Hugh Goodfellow said
the school had a close connection
with families affected by cerebral
palsy.
“Our school specialises in helping
people with a physical disability
in our special education unit and
we have about seven students in
the school with cerebral palsy,” Mr
Goodfellow said.
“We traditionally support the
Cerebral Palsy League and
thought we’d have a go at breaking
the world record this year too.
“We had to end up painting staff
faces and parents who happened
to be there, we ran out of kids,
basically, before we got to the 500
mark,” he said.
CEO of the League, Bruce
Milligan said the attempt was one
of many events held throughout
Queensland as part of the appeal.
“While funds are still coming in
from the hundreds of businesses
and schools which got involved
through the sale of merchandise
and other fundraising efforts, we’re
hopeful of achieving our $100,000
goal,” Mr Milligan said.
Other attendees at the record
attempt included official witnesses
- Bonny Barry MP, Parliamentary
Secretary to the Queensland
Education Minister, and Quest
Community Newspapers, Editorin-Chief,
Scott Thompson.
League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007 - Page 15

Cerebral palsy is the most common
physical disability in childhood.
Caused by damage to the developing
brain, it can impair walking, cause a
lack of muscle coordination, spasms
and speech difficulty.
Providing services to families affected
by cerebral palsy costs the League
more than $45 million yearly and
while it receives government funding,
community support is vital to making
up the difference.
Please help the Cerebral
Palsy League create
capability from disability
Thinking
Outside
the
Chair
Donate Online
www.ourcommunity.com.au/
cerebralpalsyqld
Cheque or Money Order
Please accept my donation of:
¨$125 ¨$75 ¨$300 ¨$ Other
¨Please find enclosed my cheque/
money order made payable to:
Cerebral Palsy League of
Queensland
Credit Card
Please debit my credit card:
¨Master ¨Visa ¨Amex ¨Diners
Card number:
_ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _
Cardholder’s name:
_____________________________
Cardholder’s signature:
_____________________________
Expiry date:____/____
Name:________________________
Company: _____________________
Address:______________________
Suburb: _______________________
State:__________Postcode:_______
Phone: (___) ___________________
Email:________________________
1800 819 086
www.cplqld.org.au
I would like further information on:
¨Leaving a gift in my Will
¨Volunteering
¨Queensland Cerebral Palsy Register
Innovation, Creativity and Collaboration
The Future of Disability Services
INNOVATION and creative
solutions for disability service users
and providers will be the focus of
the Cerebral Palsy (CP) Australia
2007 National Conference,
scheduled 24 to 25 May at Jupiters
Casino on Queensland’s Gold
Coast.
“Thinking Outside the Chair”
Innovation, Creativity and
Collaboration – the Future of
Disability Services, conference will
run concurrent sessions focusing
on innovation in research, service
delivery and empowering people
with a disability to participate
meaningfully in the community.
The preliminary program, details
on the Australasian Academy of
Cerebral Palsy and Developmental
Medicine (AusACPDM) 2007
Annual Workshop “Moving
ahead for children with Cerebral
Palsy”, which is being held in
conjunction with the CP Australia
National Conference, as well as
other conference information, is
available from the web site.
People interested in attending the
conference are invited to register
on-line, or by completing the
downloadable form and returning
by fax or post.
www.cp2007.iamevents.com.au
Page 16 - League News Edition 1 Volume 31, 2007