Spring 2010 - Cerebral Palsy League

contentsCPL VisionA community which actively seeksand supports the contribution ofpeople with a disability.55 Oxlade DriveNew Farm Qld 4005PO Box 386Fortitude Valley Qld 4006cplqld.org.auABN 27 009 942 269Angela TillmannsChief Executive OfficerP: 07 3358 8003 F: 07 3254 1291E: atillmanns@cplqld.org.auPeter MewettGeneral Manager ServicesP: 07 3358 8014 F: 07 3254 1291E: pmewett@cplqld.org.auGreg CuffeGeneral Manager Corporate ServicesP: 07 3358 8064 F: 07 3254 1387E: gcuffe@cplqld.org.auAnne ReidGeneral Manager Human ResourcesP: 07 3358 8078 F: 07 3358 8164E: areid@cplqld.org.auRosalie CunninghamGeneral Manager Marketing and FundraisingP: 07 3358 8090 F: 07 3358 2495E: rcunningham@cplqld.org.auRob GaleaGeneral Manager Innovationand Business DevelopmentP: 07 3358 8059 F: 07 3254 1387E: rgalea@cplqld.org.auEditor - Courtney JohnstonMarketing and Communications CoordinatorP: 07 3358 8084 F: 07 3358 2495E: marketing@cplqld.org.auPatron:Governor of QueenslandHer Excellency,Ms Penelope Wensley, AOSections - Spring 103 ceo foreword4-7 client news8-10 cerebral palsy awareness week11 client profile12 disability action week13 friendly faces14-15 around cplcerebral palsy registerPage 6picnic in the parkPage 10camp have a chatPage 15ceo forewordBusy and exciting times for CPLWelcome to the Spring issue ofLeague News.It has been a busy and excitingtime for CPL, and it has beenwonderful to be part of severalmajor community and industryinitiatives over the past fewmonths, including Cerebral PalsyAwareness Week (1 to 7 August)and Disability Action Week (5 to 11September).Brisbane’s biggest picnic,Picnic in the Park presented byTreasury Casino & Hotel, provideda superb launch pad for CerebralPalsy Awareness Week in southeastQueensland and it was greatto see so many clients, staff,families and supporters enjoying afun and action-packed day out atRoma Street Parkland.For me, it vividly brought tolife our vision of ‘a communitywhich actively seeks and supportsthe contribution of people withdisability’ - plus, it was a wonderfulway to help celebrate theachievements of Queenslanderswith cerebral palsy. We had arecord 5000 picnickers turn out toenjoy the fun and festivities, whichraised over $100,000 for CPL.It was also great to see ourservices around the state getHelp us name the newlook League Newsinto the spirit of Cerebral PalsyAwareness Week with a plethoraof events, including picnics, opendays, sausage sizzles, high teas,and an all-inclusive sports day.You can read more about theseevents and see the photos onpage 10.Disability Action Week was agreat opportunity for us to join withcommunity groups to highlightdisability-related issues.CPL and CommonwealthCarers and Respite Care LinkCentre used Disability ActionWeek to highlight the holiday careneeds of children with physicaldisabilities on the Gold Coast; andin Townsville families turned out inforce to get behind the Lions ‘Walkfor an Aussie Kid’ event on Sunday5 September to support localchildren with a physical disability.Meanwhile, our Rockhamptonday service teamed up with otherlocal disability service providersand Central Queensland Universityto be part of ‘Off the Wall’ - afour-storey high photo slide showon the wall of the RockhamptonTravelodge.CPL recently lodged a detailedsubmission to the ProductivityCommission which is currentlyLeague News is getting a makeover in 2011 and we’d liketo invite our readers to help us shape the new magazine.We are putting the call out there for you to let us know thetypes of stories, sections and information you are interestedin reading about.We are also searching for a new name for the magazine,with the winning suggestion to be announced in the firstedition in 2011.Get your thinking caps on and email all your wild andwonderful suggestions to marketing@cplqld.org.au or callLesley Slade on 07 3358 8084.examining the feasibility of aDisability Care and SupportScheme; one aspect of which isthe establishment of a NationalDisability Insurance Scheme(NDIS). In our submission, weadvocate for a national system oflifelong support and care.The introduction of an NDIShas the potential to solve manyof the problems that beset thecurrent system and I would like toencourage everyone to supportthe campaign for an NDIS byspreading the word in yourcommunity, talking to your localMP about the issue or signing thepetition online at www.ndis.org.au.If you’re keen to find out moreabout this very important issue,you can download a brochure fromthe home page of our website atwww.cplqld.org.au.I hope you enjoy this edition ofLeague News - the final one forthis year and in its current format.The new year will see LeagueNews enter an exciting newchapter, under a new name with afresh new look and feel.SincerelyAngela TillmannsCEO Cerebral Palsy League2 League News League News 3

client newsNew CP research releasedThe Queensland CerebralPalsy Register’s (QCPR) firstannual report, the Report ofthe Cerebral Palsy Register1996 Birth Year, will be used toinvestigate the causes of cerebralpalsy, better manage the conditionand improve the efficiency ofservices.The report was launched atParliament House by the DeputyPremier and Minister for Health,Paul Lucas, accompanied by theMinister for Disability Services andMulticultural Affairs, AnnastaciaPalaszczuk, on 5 August.The Deputy Premier saidthe report provides a valuableinsight into population size andthe characteristics of people withcerebral palsy in Queensland,and would also improve the futuredelivery of services.“I would like to thank CPL forbeing our partner in this research,”he said.“The information in this reportwill allow the government to betterwork with researchers, serviceproviders and consumer groupsto meet the needs of people withcerebral palsy.”He also commended the QCPRfor producing this report 12 monthsearlier than expected.Some of the report’s keyfindings are:• 87 people with cerebral palsywere born in 1996. The totalnumber of babies born inQueensland in 1996 was47,987 giving a prevalenceof cerebral palsy of 1.8 perthousand live births.• 78% of all children on theregister born in 1996 havespastic cerebral palsy. Over28% of Queensland childrenwith cerebral palsy born in 1996could not walk functionally orcould not walk at all.• Children with cerebral palsywere likely to have otherimpairments in addition to theirmotor disability. 45% of childrenhad some vision impairmentand 11% were functionally blind.The next report will includeseveral birth years to allow QCPRto identify trends and risk factorsfor people born with cerebral palsyand track this over time.For a full copy of the report,visit www.cplqld.org.au.Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs, Annastacia Palaszczuk,and Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, Paul Lucas, with Kai Watling.CPL highlightsneed for nationalschemeCPL has put in asubmission to the ProductivityCommission which is currentlyexamining the feasibility of aDisability Care and SupportScheme, one aspect of whichis the establishment of aNational Disability InsuranceScheme.In its submission, CPLadvocates for a nationalsystem of lifelong support andcare that would provide for:• Personal care, support,therapy and communityaccess• Options planning tofacilitate independence,maximise potential andplan for changing support• Aids, technology andequipment and homemodification needs met ona timely basis• Training, development andaccess to build self-esteemand reduce long term costsPeople with a disability,their families and carers knowonly too well the daily strugglefor services and support, thered tape and long waiting lists.A national system of care willallow people with disability todesign and direct services sothat they receive the supportand equipment that’s right forthem.For information and ideasabout how you can supportthe campaign for an NDIS,visit www.ndis.org.au.All Abilities ePlaygroundThe All Abilities ePlaygroundis a free online space offeringfun and games for children of allabilities.The ePlayground reflects thevalues and aims of 17 outdoor allabilities playgrounds funded by theQueensland Government acrossthe state.The ePlayground aims to:• Offer fun, innovative andaccessible ways of interactiveonline play• Reflect an all-inclusive and safeplay environmentLivewire connecting kidsLivewire, an initiative of the Starlight Children’sFoundation, provides free and fun online peersupport communities for families affected by aserious illness, chronic health condition or disability.• Livewire Members is for young people aged over10 and under 21 living with a serious illness,chronic health condition or disability.• Livewire Siblings is for young people aged over• Stimulate and supportimagination, skills developmentand cognitive learning• Allow a child with a disabilityto play as independently aspossible• Create awareness andacceptance of alternative waysto play• Support integration and mutualunderstanding by play andinteractionFor more information visitwww.allabilitiesplayground.net.auor email aapp@disability.qld.gov.au.client newsCinema access for people with a disabilityA new plan to provide cutting edge technologyto allow people with impaired hearing or vision toenjoy movies in more cinemas across Australia waslaunched recently.The Cinema Access Implementation Plan aimsto fast-track a new audio description and captioningtechnology in Australian cinemas.Village Roadshow, Greater Union, Hoyts, ReadingCinemas and disability sector representatives haveall agreed to support the plan.By the end of 2014, captions and audio descriptionwill be available on at least one screen in every oneof the 132 cinema complexes run by these operators.A copy of the plan is available on FaHCSIA’swebsite at www.fahcsia.gov.au.10 and under 21 who have a sibling or parentliving with a serious illness, chronic healthcondition or disability.• Livewire Parents is for parents and carers ofsomeone living with a serious illness, chronichealth condition or disability.To join Livewire visit www.livewire.org.au or callthe Livewire Support Team on 02 8425 5971.6 League News League News 7

cerebral palsy awareness weekcerebral palsy awareness weekCerebral PalsyAwareness Week01 02030405CPL services around thestate got into the swing ofCerebral Palsy AwarenessWeek with a plethora ofevents staged to highlight theabilities and the achievementsof people with cerebral palsy.07Gold Coast (above) and Maryborough (below) took theircelebrations outside by hosting a mini Picnic in the Park with asausage sizzle and entertainment.Pictured (01-02) L-R: Jessica Keys, Matthew Burr and Rebecca Duffin.Pictured (07-08) L-R: Clare Prasser, Neil Schurmann, RalphLemenkuhler, Camille Evans, Debbie Kenniwell and John Hill.Capalaba hosted a high tea fit for royalty, to recognise theirvolunteers and celebrate the opening of their rejuvenated garden.Pictured (03-04) L-R: Gregory Field, Nola Field, James Peters and Julie Lloyd.Mt Gravatt marked the week with a sausage sizzle and acelebration of client achievements.Pictured (05-06): Joshua Robeck (top) and Hannah Kernohan.0608111013120915Moorooka opened their doorswith a barbecue, woodworkworkshop and aerosol artistdemonstration.Pictured (09-10) L-R: Kim Schweida,Connor Cook and Pat Ward.Rockhampton kicked-off the week in style with ahigh tea in celebration of the day service’s tenthanniversary.Pictured (11-12): The fun and festivities in Rockhampton.Townsville got into the spirit ofthings with a lovely lunch andopen day.Pictured (13-14): Matthew Doyleand a delicious celebratory cake.201416171819Toowoomba invited the communityto join in the fun with a barbecueas well as art, photography andwoodworking workshops.Pictured (15-16) L-R: Penny Atfield,Nick Thorley and Lucy Dolphin.Springfield took an active approach, joining with the Universityof Southern Queensland to hold a sports day and barbecue.Pictured (17-18) L-R: Rebecca Forsyth, Jasmin Thompson, MarkConnelly and Debbie Hammond.Printabout Strathpine celebrated with a sausage sizzle anda public showcase of their premises.Pictured (19-20) L-R: David Hann, CPL Board Director Ron Porter,Federal Member for Pine Rivers Carolyn Male and David McKay.8 League NewsLeague News 9

cerebral palsy awareness weekclient profilePicnic in the Park puts CPL ‘on show’Chris’ artistic flair shines throughBrisbane residents and CPLclients gathered their friends,families and picnic rugs andenjoyed a wonderful day out atRoma Street Parkland on Saturday31 July for Brisbane’s biggestpicnic, Picnic in the Park.The free-entry, community andfamily fun day marked the start ofnational Cerebral Palsy AwarenessWeek (1 to 7 August) inQueensland – a time for promotingand celebrating the achievementsof Queenslanders with cerebralpalsy.Over 5000 people turned out toenjoy the fun and festivities, whichraised more than $100,000 for CPL.There was a mouth-wateringarray of gourmet food stallsand a fantastic program offun entertainment for the kidsincluding a trackless train, jumpingcastle, sand art, face painting,roving magicians and stilt walkers.The Liberty Swing was again abig hit for the young and young atheart.The main stage featuredBrisbane singer-songstressFrancesca de Valence, 19-piecejazz band ‘The Empty ChairProject’, vision-impaired classicalguitarist Lorin Nicholson,international pop and rocksensation ‘Spacifix’ and 12-piecefunksters ‘Dave Dow and theHuman Groove’.The CPL tent offered loads offree activities, demonstrations ofthe latest therapy equipment andartworks for sale.Visitors loved tryingout the games, interactivecommunications devices, arts andcrafts and woodwork activities.The entire event, designed tocater for the needs of people withand without a disability, would nothave been possible without thegenerous support of presentingpartner Treasury Casino & Hoteland event partners Roma StreetParkland, Westpac, Cutting Edge,Westfield, Panther Print, BrisbaneRoar, Parsons Brinckerhoff andGateway Projects.Chris Townsley is a talentedartist, but he and his family wereunaware of his prolific talentuntil he started attending the artprogram at CPL’s Redcliffe servicein 2003.“CPL’s service is the bestthing we ever found for Chris andthe staff and programs on offerhave enabled him to blossomas a musician, an artist and anindividual,” his mum Anne said.“Painting has given Chris theopportunity to show he is a uniqueand talented individual and hasenabled him to become trulyindependent.“In the past twelve months,the standard of Chris’ artworkhas improved hugely through thecareful guidance of the day servicestaff who help him to express hisinspiration drawn from the worldaround him, his travels and hispassions.”When Chris was nine monthsold he was diagnosed with rightsidehemiplegia cerebral palsy, acondition which affects his musclecontrol and in particular, his abilityto eat, drink and speak.Throughout his childhood,the Townsley family faced manyobstacles and challenges asthey learnt how to care for ChrisChris (second from right) with staff from CPL’s day service atRedcliffe, Dillon Carlsson, Louise Taylor and Shannon Howard.and encourage the developmentof his speech, mobility andindependence.“Chris is headstrong andconstantly on the move, whichproved difficult for him topersevere using a communicationsdevice,” Anne said.Anne said that it was wonderfulto see Chris find an outlet forhis passion and creativity. Sherevealed that accompanyingChris on his artistic journey wasincredibly rewarding for her as wellas for his older brother Benjaminand younger brother Timmy.Chris and his family werethrilled when he recently held hisfirst solo exhibition.“Without the resources, supportand care of CPL over the pastseven years, we know that Chrismay not have had the opportunityto become a professional artist,and more importantly, makelong-lasting friendships alongsideothers who love and encouragehim like we do.”DONATE ONLINEwww.cplqld.org.auYes! I would like to make a tax deductible donation!Just some of the many clients, families and supporters whohad a ball at the 2010 Picnic in the Park free family fun day.DONATE BY PHONE1800 819 086DONATE BY FAX07 3358 2495DONATE BY MAILPO Box 386Fortitude Valley QLD 4006DONATE AT HOMEPhone 1800 819 086to join Friendship BankDONATE IN PERSONAt any Westpac branchDONATE IN PERSONAt any Australia Post outletTitle:________ Name:_______________________________________________________Company:________________________________________________________________Address:________________________________________________ Post Code:________Phone: (b/h)____________ (a/h)____________ Email: ______________________________Please accept my donation of : q $50 q $35 q $75 q $100 q My choice $________q Please find enclosed my cheque or money order; orq Please charge my (please circle): Mastercard / Visa / Diners Club / Amex (#________)Card Number:___________|___________|___________|___________ Expiry:_____/_____Cardholder:________________________ Signature:______________________________Please send me information on these other ways in which I can help CPL:q How to make a bequest to CPLq How to become a volunteer for CPLq How to purchase tickets in CPL’s art unions q How to subscribe to news updatesYour details will be kept confidential under the Privacy Act10 League NewsLeague News 11

disability action weekSchool holiday fun at the Gold CoastCPL and Commonwealth Carers and Respite CareLink Centre used Disability Action Week to highlightthe holiday care needs of children with physicaldisability on the Gold Coast by announcing theintroduction of a Christmas holiday program followingthe success of the June/July holiday program.The holiday program run from Bellevue ParkPrimary School, is the only one on the Gold Coastwhich is run from a mainstream school and caters toschool-aged children with disability and their siblings,should the need arise.The program allows all the children in a family toremain together and share their holidays, and givesparents the chance to either work or have a welldeservedbreak.“The 30 families that participated during the June/July holidays told us that their kids had a fantastictime participating in lots of different activities likeart and craft, cooking, face painting, sports daysand excursions,” In-Home and Community SupportCoordinator Sonia Williams said.Integral to the success of the June/July programhas been the outstanding support of Gillian Andersonfrom Commonwealth Carers and Respite Care Linkand the Principal of Bellevue Park Primary School,Cath Lalor, who ensured the children enjoyed theirvacation care activities and the excellent facilities.CPL is working towards developing truly inclusiveoutside-of-school-hour care programs acrossQueensland to support children with physicaldisabilities and their siblings.Rocky ‘off the wall’The Rockhamptonday service teamedup with other localdisability services andCentral QueenslandUniversity to bepart of ‘Off theWall’, a four-storeyhigh photo slideshow on the wallof the RockhamptonTravelodge to mark Disability Action Week,which ran from 5 to 11 September.The show ran for two hours every night during theweek and featured images of people with disabilitygetting on with their daily life, interspersed withpositive slogans and messages.Happy participantsof CPL’s Gold Coastholiday program,Julie Evans(top) and KarimAboukoura (left).CPL is offering 30 funded places to families ofchildren with a physical disability on the Gold Coastfor the Christmas school holidays. A rebated fee willbe charged for siblings.Families interested in applying for a place in theChristmas holiday program should contact In-Homeand Community Support Coordinator Sonia Williamson 07 5665 3005 or the Commonwealth Carers andRespite Care Link Centre on 1800 052 222.Walk for Aussie kidsTownsville families laced-up their walking shoesand got behind the Lions ‘Walk for an Aussie Kid’event on 5 September to support local children witha physical disability as part of Disability Action Week.The walk from Willows Market to Dan GleesonPark raised funds for CPL to purchase mobilitydevices such as wheelchairs and walkers.Manager of CPL’s Townsville service, DonnaSheppard, said the purchase of mobility devicesfor the organisation’s equipment library will makean enormous difference to the lives of Townsvillechildren with cerebral palsy and other physicaldisabilities.“These walking devices form an important partof our early intervention program, which can makea real difference to a young child’s life, particularlythose aged up to eight years,” she said.Redshirt Brigade blitz CapalabaMore than 90 Bunnings managers fromacross Queensland converged on CPL’sCapalaba day service for a ‘backyard blitz’on 23 June. The ‘redshirt brigade’, as theyare affectionately known, spent the daytoiling away to revitalise and landscape theservice’s garden including new pavers, anew garden shed and planting new plants.Fusion of Music a crowd-pleaserPatrons enjoyed a unique blend of live local musicand entertainment at Fusion of Music, presented byCPL’s day service in Windsor on 8 April. All proceedsraised went to support the service.Cascades rock at ScarboroughThe newly formed client and staff band‘Cascades’ had a ball playing their first officialgig to a rapt audience at a Disability ActionWeek event at Scarborough on 7 September.Face-lift for Adept Packaging TingalpaAdept Packaging at Tingalpa was recently refurbished ina project funded by the Queensland Government’s ‘SkillingQueenslanders for Work’ initiative. The refurbishmentwas completed by The Construction Training Centretrainees, who received a certificate of appreciation at theirgraduation ceremony on 18 June.friendly facesTullawong State High School pitches inCPL Social Worker, Stephanie Muller, attendedTullawong State High School’s assembly on 13 Septemberto receive a $100 cheque to support programs for clientsat CPL’s Strathpine service. The school was inspired todonate because student Justin Jackson, who has cerebralpalsy, is such a great role model for the school community.12 League News League News 13

around cplPODD playgroups a winner with the kidsKids attending CPL’s MountGravatt service have been havingan absolute blast at their weeklyPODD playgroups!Pragmatic OrganisationDynamic Display (PODD) bookssupport children who are learningto communicate through aidedsymbols such as pictures, graphicsand words.The playgroups aim to enablechildren to participate andcommunicate in exciting playactivities using their PODD booksin a fun, exciting environment.The groups also demonstratethe ways in which PODDbooks can be used to supportcommunication skills and modellanguage for children.It’s not all about the kids though- parents and carers also join inthe fun, gaining information aboutthe best ways to use PODD booksat home to facilitate their child’scommunication development.Keepsakesfor ChristmasCPL has produced lovelyChristmas-themed cottontea towels which wouldmake great gifts at $6.00each.To order call 1800 819 086McKenzie Carter gets stuck into the fun activities at a PODD playgroup witha little help from CPL Speech and Language Pathologist Debbie Burmester.Charity Greeting Cards is a wholesalesupplier of greetings cards and gifthampers. Individuals and companiescan order personalised GREETINGCARDS and GIFT HAMPERS and CPLwill receive 40 cents per card, or 10%per hamper ordered. Designs andprices are available to suit all budgets!To order greeting cards, visit:christmascards4charity.com.au/cplqldTo order gift hampers, visit:charityhampers.com.au/cplqldOr call 1800 819 086 for fax order formsPrintaboutgoes greenPrintabout has successfullywon the contract to deliverenergy-saving power boardsto Brisbane residents as partof EZYGREEN, a BrisbaneCity Council initiative toreduce electricity costs.The power boards helpto reduce a household’sstandby power, thereforeminimising wasted energyand contributing to power billsavings.Visit www.ezygreen.com.auto receive a free power boardwith a retail value of $180.Kids communicate with confidenceFourteen children andteenagers from acrossQueensland who are unableto speak due to disabilityconverged on Camp Havea Chat (CHAC) during thesecond week of the Septemberschool holidays where theyexperienced new and excitingways to express themselves.Hosted annually by CPL, thecamp helps young people withcomplex communication needsto develop confidence throughthe use of alternative andaugmentative communicationtechniques.This year’s camp theme was‘Mission Impossible’, whichassisted campers – aged eightto eighteen – to develop theircommunication abilities throughthe joy of storytelling.Campers attended theevent with their families andtogether with speech therapistsand community artists, workedResource reviewSome Kids Use WheelchairsSome Kids Use Leg BracesBy Lola M SchaeferThese books are part ofthe Understanding Differencesseries describing the needs ofchildren who use wheelchairsand who wear leg braces, relatingto individual development andidentity.The books introduce youngreaders to subject-specificlanguage.To borrow these or otherresources, access CPLLibrary’s online catalogue atwww.cplqld.org.au or contactDeborah Cronan on 07 3358 8036or email dcronan@cplqld.org.au.through activities designed toallow each child to explore his orher own creativity including visualarts, storytelling and drama.CPL’s CHAC ProgramCoordinator, Megan Hinselwood,said the camp was a real familyaffair with mothers, fathers,brothers and sisters activelyparticipating in camp learningtechniques that can then beused once they return home.“Our goal is for all ourcampers to learn new waysof expressing themselvesso they can communicatewith confidence and becomemore active members of thecommunity,” she said.On the final day, campers tookto the stage with a performancedemonstrating their new foundconfidence in front of family andfriends.CHAC campers Elias Mangosand Sarah Rukavina (top) andZakary Sorensen (bottom).around cpl14 League News League News 15

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