QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK

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QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK
VOLUME 11 Spring 2013 www.cpl.org.au

QUEENSLAND
CELEBRATES
CEREBRAL PALSY
AWARENESS WEEK
LIVE THE LIFE YOU
CHOOSE CONFERENCE

WORLD-FIRST IQ
ASSESSMENT
RESEARCH FOR
KIDS WITH CP

MYTIME FOR MEN

SUPPORT IN
THE COMMUNITY
SOUTHPORT
GRAND OPENING

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QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK
Special Feature

                                            12
                                                                                                                                                                     Capalaba’s Fred Wells with one of      in the beautiful Rockhampton
                                                                                                                                                                           the homemade scarecrows          Botanic Gardens. People took part
                                                                                                                                                                                                            in soccer games, volleyball, boccia,
                                                                                                                                                                                                            tug-o-war and an array of other
                                                                                                                                                                                                            fun activities.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Brisbane’s bayside didn’t miss out,
                                                                                                                                                                                                            with the Cerebral Palsy League’s
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Redcliffe service putting on a
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Sounds n Sizzle event. With live
                                                                                                                                                                                                            music, interactive workshops,
                                                                                                                                                                                                            textile design, print making and
6                                                                                                                                                                                                           boccia on offer, guests enjoyed a
                                                                                                                                                                                                            fantastic day out.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Mylestones Printing and the

 10                                                                                                                                                                                                         Cerebral Palsy League at
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Moorooka both hosted an Aussie

                                            what’s
                                                                                                                                                                                                            sausage sizzle to celebrate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Cerebral Palsy Awareness
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Week, where guests

                                            inside?                                        “People with cerebral
                                                                                           palsy face barriers every
                                                                                           day of their lives but
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             were able to meet
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               the staff and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 clients that
                                                     SPECIAL FEATURE                       they choose to focus
                                            2
                                                     We Made a Change                      on their abilities, rather
                                                     CUTTING EDGE
                                                                                           than let their disability
                                            7
                                                     World-first research                  define them.”
                                                                                                        - Angela Tillmanns
                                                     WHAT’S NEW
                                            8
                                                     New service for Southport
 WHY TOUCHSTONE?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  make our
                                                                                         WE MADE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
 Touchstone means a benchmark,
                                            9        THE GRAPEVINE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 services the
 reference point or measure of quality.
 We like to think our magazine is a
                                            10       FACES AND PLACES                                                                                                                                                          wonderful
 benchmark for our industry and a
 single point of reference for everything
                                            12
                                                     IN FOCUS
                                                     Live the Life You Choose
                                                                                         Queensland celebrates Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week 2013                                                                            places they are.

 you need to know about the
                                                     Conference                                                                                                                                             In Bundaberg, the Cerebral Palsy
 Cerebral Palsy League.                                                                                                                                                                                     League hosted an informational
                                                                                         Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week         Day, serving up a tasty barbecue,       Through Our Eyes’ focused on         morning tea about the new
                                            14       IN BRIEF
                                                                                         2013 achieved just what it set        great music and even better             natural landscapes and habitats,     Queensland Government funding
                                                     REGIONAL INSIGHT                    out to do: focus attention on         company. People were able to            and each photograph represented      initiative, ‘Your Life Your Choice’.
                                            15                                           the changes being made across         test their skills against racing        a different time, place and
                                                     MyTime for men                                                                                                                                         Attendees discussed the new
                                                                                         Queensland.                           car professionals in a driving          underlying theme.                    initiative with families, clients and
                                                     ALL ABOUT YOU                                                             simulation experience. There were
                                            16                                                                                                                                                              people in the community who
                                                     Will’s Boccia ambitions             Statewide events were as diverse      even surprise appearances from          Springfield’s Studio Five 8          were interested in learning more.
                                                     REACHING OUT                        as the changes we witnessed –         local cooking connoisseurs, who         showcased eight of their artists’
                                            17                                           from community fun in the sun         fired up the BBQs, sharing expert       beautiful artwork in their latest
Visit us at www.cpl.org.au                           Stepping Stones for parents                                                                                                                            Windsor’s Fusion of Music held a
                                                                                         days in Rockhampton and Cairns        culinary tips.                          creative exhibition. Held at the     fantastic karaoke and disco night
55 Oxlade Drive
                                            18
                                                     BEHIND THE SCENES                   and an art exhibition in Gladstone,                                           Ipswich Community Art Gallery,       featuring The Transformers, a
New Farm QLD 4005                                    Chatterbox Challenge                to the opening of a new sensory       Varsity Lakes threw the doors of        it featured 30 pieces of artwork
PO Box 386                                                                                                                                                                                                  choir whose members experience
                                                                                         room on the Gold Coast and a          their new Sensory Room open,            including a range of amazing         disadvantage in their communities.
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006                            STATE CCC UPDATE                    Mylestones Employment agency in       inviting guests to take part in         photography and paintings.
                                            19       P&G UPDATE                          Townsville.                           sensory sessions and activities.
Editor – Jen Campbell Case                           DIARY NOTE                                                                                                                                             Rounding off the most successful
Media & Communications Executive                                                                                               By using different senses around        Recreating some old fashioned        Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week to
P: 07 3358 8084                                                                          All events were a huge success        music, sound, light, colour, touch      country style fun, the Capalaba      date, 20 of Brisbane’s top business
E: info@cplqld.org.au                                                                    and, importantly, allowed             and feel, therapies can be tailored     Cerebral Palsy League crew
                                                      HAVE YOUR SAY                                                                                                                                         executives were suspended high
                                                                                         local people to share stories,        to help children and adults with        hosted a hoe-down complete with      above the city on the Wheel of
                                                Tell us about the issues you’d like to   acknowledge and appreciate            disability better communicate with      music from a local country band,     Brisbane raising an unbelievable
                                                      read about in Touchstone!          the valuable achievements and         the people around them.                 hay bales, scarecrows and papier     $126,930.65 for the Cerebral Palsy
                                                          P: 07 3358 8084                contributions of people with                                                  mache pumpkins, all made by          League.
                    Patron                           E: marketing@cplqld.org.au          cerebral palsy.                       In Gladstone, the Cerebral Palsy        clients of the service.
                    Governor of                                                                                                League held a photographic
                    Queensland                         READ US ONLINE                                                                                                                                       Check out Faces and Places for
                                                     Download Touchstone at              The Hervey Bay team celebrated        exhibition showcasing a range           Rockhampton celebrated Cerebral      more photos of the fantastic
                    Her Excellency
                    Ms Penelope                     www.cpl.org.au/touchstone            Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week         of work by Support in the               Palsy Awareness Week with an         events that happened around
                    Wensley AC                                                           with a BBQ Rocking Radio Fun          Community clients. ‘The World           all abilities community sports day   the state.

 2                                                           Touchstone Spring 2013                                                                                        Touchstone Spring 2013                                               3
QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK
SPECIAL FEATURE                                                                                                                             SPECIAL FEATURE

                                           THOUSANDS CELEBRATE
                                           PICNIC IN THE PARK
                                           It was better than anyone could have imagined – all           their young fans and their families, with over 3000
                                           of it: the fantastic entertainment, the food and the          fans attending her first live performance of ‘Dora’s
                                           enjoyment on everyone’s faces.                                Sing Along Adventure’.

                                           Indeed, the fifth annual Picnic in the Park                   There was an array of gourmet food and the day
                                           cemented our outdoor event as a                                 was jam-packed with fun filled activities for
                                           calendar highlight for Brisbane                                    the kids including adorable barnyard baby
                                           families, who came in the                                            animals, jumping castle, train rides, sand
                                           thousands to enjoy our all                                             wizard, face painting, laughing clowns,
                                           abilities fun filled event.                                             an accessible liberty swing and roving
                                           Picnic in the Park heralds                                               performers.
                                           the national Cerebral Palsy
                                           Awareness Week, and with                                                    Cerebral Palsy League CEO Angela
                                           help from celebrity MCs                                                     Tillmanns said that just by coming
                                           Jess Skarratt of The Great                                                 along to Picnic in the Park, the local
                                           South East and Pip Russell                                                 community helped raise $164,000
                                           of Totally Wild, this year’s                                              to allow us to continue supporting
                                           was the most successful yet.                                             Queensland children and adults with
                                                                                                                  disability.
                                           The audience was enthralled by
                                           the entertainment line-up, led by                                 “With our support and services, thousands of
                                           Australia’s most glamorous pop-opera                          Queenslanders now have the best opportunity to
                                           group, BellaDiva, who captivated picnic goers with            live their lives to the fullest,” Angela said.
                                           their pop operatic repertoire. BellaDiva was joined           “We sincerely thank our generous presenting
                                           by the Australian Army Band and the Cerebral                  partner, Treasury Casino and Hotel, and our other
                                           Palsy League’s own rock musicians, Cascade.                   supporters Roma Street Parkland, Westpac, Toyota,
                                           Some would argue that Dora the Explorer and her               Maurice Blackburn, Discount Drug Store, Panther
                                           best friend Boots stole the show and the hearts of            Print and Neal’s Hire, for making this day possible.”

 4                Touchstone Spring 2013                                                 Touchstone Spring 2013                                                5
QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK
Special Feature                                                                                                                                                                                           Cutting Edge

                                                                                                                                                               WORLD-FIRST RESEARCH INTO
                                                                                                                                                               IQ ASSESSMENT FOR CHILDREN
                                                                                                                                                               WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

                                                                                                                                                   In June this year, a team            developed for the typical
                                                                                                                                                   of Cerebral Palsy League             population can result in children
                                                                                                                                                   researchers published a              with developmental disability
                                                                                                                                                   landmark paper on intelligence       receiving low IQ scores which are
                                                                                                                                                   assessment for children with         not necessarily a true reflection
                                                                                                                                                   cerebral palsy.                      of their cognitive abilities.

                                                                                                                                                   Authored by senior psychologist      Instead, their scores reflect the
                                                                                                                                                   Max Guppy, psychologist              fact that things like motor, visual
                                                                                                                                                   Rebecca Yin Foo, and Dr Leanne       or communication impairments
                                                                                                                                                   Johnson the paper, Intelligence      have limited their ability to
                                                                                                                                                   assessments for children with        perform the assessments
                                                                                                                                                   cerebral palsy: a systematic         required,” Max said.
                                                                                                                                                   review, is the first published
     Wheel Make a Change raises over                                                                                                               research in the world to identify    “This latest research shows that

     $126,000
                                                                                                                                                   and examine intelligence             to achieve a valid IQ assessment
                                                                                                                                                   assessments appropriate for          in a child with cerebral palsy, it
                                                                                                                                                   children with cerebral palsy.        is critical to firstly understand
                                                                                                                                                                                        the motor, communication and
                                                                                                                                                   Max Guppy said that while            visual function of the child being
                                                                                                                                                   cerebral palsy is primarily          assessed and then to match this
                                                                                                                                                   a disorder of posture and            with an IQ assessment that does
                                                                                                                                                   movement, it is estimated that       not penalise deficits in these
                                                                                                                                                   approximately 45% of children        skills,” he said.
                                                                                                                                                   with cerebral palsy also have an
                                                                                                                                                   intellectual impairment.             Inappropriate test selection
                                                                                                                                                                                        needs to be avoided because
                                                                                                                                                   “Valid intelligence assessments      it can significantly impair
                                                                                                                                                   for children with cerebral palsy     services provided for individual
                                                                                                                                                   are so important because much        children, including placement in
On the second last day of             In the true spirit of giving, the    “Donations were drummed up         “We are seeing exciting changes      depends on them,” Max said.          a mainstream or special school,
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week,        community-minded business            by encouraging our project         at the Federal and State                                                  access to education adjustment
high above the city in the Wheel      leaders far exceeded their           sites to engage employees,         government levels with the           “Things like school placement        programs and funding support.
of Brisbane, a small miracle was      inaugural Wheel Make a Change        subcontractors and suppliers,      introduction of DisabilityCare       and disability support
taking place.                         fundraising target: raise a          and work together as one           Australia.                           funding have IQ or intellectual      This important piece of research
                                      minimum of $1,000 by phoning         business unit to help those less                                        impairment as an eligibility         was the first to identify and
                                      your networks to be let off the      fortunate. And it worked.”         “We want to see change               criterion.                           evaluate existing IQ assessments
Twenty-three of Brisbane’s
                                      Wheel.                                                                  happening everywhere, at every                                            that can be confidently used
top executives were doing                                                  “Even in tough economic times,     level of society – from a change     “Further, accurate IQ                for children with cerebral palsy
something that in other                                                    as an industry, it is important    in building access, a change in      assessment is critical to            to highlight those with suitable
circumstances might seem quite        Leading the charge for change
                                                                           not to lose sight of the bigger    employment practises, a change       assist with realising children’s     psychometric properties and
                                      was Seymour Whyte Managing
normal – madly talking on their                                            picture.”                          in the way people view disability,   independent participation in         clinical utility.
                                      Director and CEO David McAdam,
mobile phones.                                                                                                or a change in understanding         education, self-care, and in later
                                      who had taken pledges totalling
                                                                           Cerebral Palsy League CEO          what contribution people with        life, employment and living          It has also produced the world’s
                                      $30,700.10 by the time he            Angela Tillmanns was locked in
However, on Friday 1 August,                                                                                  disability can make to their         independently,” he said.             first reasoning tool for use by the
                                      put his mobile in his pocket at      her Gondola with The Courier-      communities.
their banter was anything but                                                                                                                                                           medical, educational and allied
                                      8.30am.                              Mail reporter James McCullough,                                         According to the research            health professionals’ community
business as usual. Each was
locked in their own gondola,                                               giving her the added challenge     “It could even be as simple as       team, existing paediatric IQ         to assist them to choose the best
                                      As the biggest fundraiser, David     of dialling for donations while    donating your spare change to        assessments are generally            testing tool for each child.
dialling work colleagues, friends     was elated by the generosity of      answering questions posed by       the Cerebral Palsy League so         developed for, and standardised
and families to ask them to           his staff and work colleagues.       her interested interviewer.        we can continue to provide life-     with, typically developing           “Achieving the best match
help make a change in the             “The key to our success in this                                         changing therapies, services and     children who do not have any         between the child’s physical
lives of Queenslanders with           event was good planning and          “No one knows better than          programs to more than 5,000          impairments.                         capabilities and the available
disability, and in doing so, raised   teamwork, displayed across the       our top business execs that        Queenslanders with disability.”                                           assessments is now a much more
a breathtaking $126,930 for the       business in the lead up to Wheel     small changes add up to a big      And that’s just what the Wheel       “The use of standardised IQ          reliable task, and that’s a very
Cerebral Palsy League.                Make a Change,” David said.          difference,” Angela said.          Make a Change supporters did.        assessments that have been           good outcome,” Max said.

 6                                                Touchstone Spring 2013                                                                               Touchstone Spring 2013                                            7
QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK
What's New

                                                                                                                        GRAPEVINE

                                                                                                                 THE
                                                                          Jenny Johnston and                     FREEDOM
                                                                                                                 TO ROLL
                                                                          Kirsty Austin at the
                                                                          grand opening
                                                                                                                                                             You can still apply for communication
                                                                                                                 George Kombaris, a Mylestones              support through the state government’s
                                                                                                                 Employment client from                         Community Aids Equipment and
                                                                                                                 Brisbane has never let being in
                                                                                                                 a chair stop him from having               Assistive Technology Initiative (CAEATI),
                                                                                                                 a good time in life – or from                      which has been extended!
                                                                                                                 working hard!

                                                                                                                 He has developed a fantastic
                                                                           The centre’s                                                                            You can use CAEATI funding for PODD or
                                                                           beautiful                             program called Living on
                                                                           sensory garden                        Wheels, which offers mobility                     other communication books, song boards
                                                                                                                 and lifestyle training for people                          and alphabet displays.
                                                                                                                 in wheelchairs, aged five and
                                                                                                                 upwards.                                      The Cerebral Palsy League even offers a bonus
                                                                                                                 George showcased Living on                    service to replace the covers, binding coil and
The Cerebral Palsy League’s          “To meet that demand, we                                                    Wheels on 10 August at a special               update the ‘People and Places’ pages of each
brand new Support in the             knew we had to develop a new                                                open day at the Carindale                      communication book after 12 months of use.
Community service at Southport       service – one that would deliver                                            PCYC attended by Minister for
was officially opened on Tuesday     the existing and future needs of                                            Communities, Child Safety and                  To find out how you can access this funding,
27 August by Minister for            people with disability living on       Matthew Burn                         Disability Services Tracy Davis
Communities, Child Safety and        the Gold Coast,” she said.             and Peter                            and Deputy Lord Mayor of                     contact us on 1800 CPL QLD (1800 275 753) or
Disability Services, Tracy Davis.                                           Lewis enjoy                          Brisbane Adrian Schrinner.                           email info@cplqld.org.au today!
                                     “With this new space, we can           the festivities
A state government grant of          provide better support than                                                 Visit www.livingonwheels.com.au
$500,000 to refurbish the site,      ever before to help children and                                            to find out more.
build a new Adult Learning           adults with disability to explore     Committee, expressed hers and
Centre, Children’s Therapy           their full potential and work with    other clients’ joy and gratitude
Centre, Community Centre and         them to achieve their goals.          for the new building.
Administration Offices was
provided in 2008, so the new         “We now have space for a wide         “It is just a beautiful place to go
                                                                                                                 JOHN LAUNCHES HIS                                                                  John Corrigan and

service has been a long time         range of art programs, health         now,” Jenny said. “You feel like      WORK OF A LIFETIME                                                               author John Rynn at
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Picnic in the Park
coming - with dreams staying         and wellness initiatives including    you can just be yourself here
intact even through the global       a garden-to-plate program and         and be free because it is big and     Despite being non-verbal, author John Rynn
financial crisis.                    sensory garden, computing and         roomy. We can have different          makes a statement about gratitude for life in
                                     IT courses, and a Cool Kids area,”    activities going on at one time.”     writing his book, You Only Want Me for My Mind.
Cerebral Palsy League CEO            she said.
Angela Tillmanns said creating                                             “You feel like you are in the         Launched at this year’s Picnic in the Park, and
this wonderful new service           “I’d like to particularly             country with the trees, and the       composed by writing 29 words a day over a
centre has been a tremendous         acknowledge the efforts and           colours of the building have a        gruelling seven years, this memoir stands as a
undertaking, and developed in        energy of the staff and the           relaxing feel,” she said.             testament to his creativity and pluck, and his
response to the growing demand       people we support who have                                                  great sense of humour.
for services to support people       been developing and delivering        The Cerebral Palsy League
with disability living on the Gold   amazing programs in a very            currently provides services to        You Only Want Me for My Mind reveals a quirky
Coast.                               constricted space while the           more than 250 children and            boy born not only with cerebral palsy but with
                                     works were underway.”                 adults with disability on the Gold    an uncanny ability to overcome obstacles and
“As we have seen the population                                            Coast and northern New South          mobilise people.
grow significantly in Queensland,    Jenny Johnston, Chair of the          Wales and has been providing
and particularly here on the Gold    Regional Client Consultative          services to Gold Coast families       You can buy You Only Want Me for My Mind at:
Coast, so too has the demand for     Committee and Deputy Chair            for more than 50 years.               http://ipoz.biz/Titles/YOWM.htm
our services,” Angela said.          of the State Client Consultative

 8                                               Touchstone Spring 2013                                                                                    Touchstone Spring 2013                                     9
QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK
Faces and Places                                                                                         Faces and Places

1 SPRINGFIELD’S ARTISTIC
  ASPIRATIONS
     John Kalantry from Springfield’s
     Studio Five 8 with his exhibited
                                                                                            2                       3
     work, which successfully sold on
     the opening day.

2 VARSITY LAKES OPENS
  NEW SENSORY ROOM
     Saxon Brae Bosworth explores
     Varsity Lakes’ new sensory room.

3 HERVEY BAY CELEBRATES
     Gemma Tottenham shows the
     local NRL team how it’s done!

4 CAPALABA HOE DOWN

                                                                            1
     Schluter and James Peters get their
     country on to celebrate Cerebral
     Palsy Awareness Week (CPAW).

5 FUN IN THE

                                                                                     5                              6
  ROCKHAMPTON SUN
     Elizabeth Berry soaking up the
     fun for CPAW in Rockhampton.

6 MYLESTONES STAFF MEET
  THE PM
     Sandra Low, Lisa Huntly and
     Terry Ngo from Mylestones
     Employment Holland Park rubbed
     shoulders with PM Kevin Rudd at
     a South East Brisbane Chamber
     of Commerce Breakfast.

7 WINDSOR FUSION OF
  MUSIC
     Judi Williams and Lyn Meehan
                                           4
     singing up a storm to celebrate
     CPAW.

8 BRIDIE’S STAGE                                                        7                                           9
  AMBITIONS
     Actress Amanda Muggleton
     shared her stage and career
     wisdom with CPL Youth
     Ambassador and Queensland
     Youth Theatre actor Bridie McKim.

9 PRE-WRITING WORKSHOP
     Adam Christian (left) and Jacob
     Ford enjoy the fun activities on
     offer at a pre-writing skills group
     at Cerebral Palsy League in
     Brendale.
                                                                                8
10                                             Touchstone Spring 2013           Touchstone Spring 2013                11
QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK
In Brief                                                                                                                                                                                               IN FOCUS

                                                                                                                  Launch Implementation at
                                                                                                                  DisabilityCare Australia speaking
                                                                                                                                                              CONFEREN
                                                                                                                  as well as Michael Hogan Deputy
                                                                                                                                                                      CE SNAPS
                                                                                                                  Director General, Strategic
                                                                                                                  Planning and Programs at the                                HOT
                                                                                                                  Department of Communities,
                                                                                                                  Child Safety and Disability
                                                                                                                  Services,” Evan said.

                                                                                                                  He went on to confirm that
                                                                                                                  the conference would have an
                                                                                                                  exhibition area for CPL services
                                                                                                                  and government departments -
                                                                                                                  providing the latest information
                                                                                                                  about disability funding,
                                                                                                                  programs and services.

                                                                                                                  “This is an exciting time in the
                                                                                                                  disability sector, but clients and
                                                                                                                  their families are also grappling               REGISTER BY 30 OCTOBER
                                                                                                                  with new funding models and                     • Adults $47.95
                                                                                                                  looking at how things will work
                                                                                                                  with DisabilityCare Australia in                • Members $37.95
                                                                                                                  the future.”                                    • Family and group deals
                                                                              Different funding options under     “CPL’s My Life program                          • Travel assistance available
                                                                             DisabilityCare Australia will mean
                                                                            more choice for the Rowling family
                                                                                                                  means that you can choose
                                                                            and Eamonn in the future, with his    between receiving services that
                                                                            brothers Hayden (left) and Ronan.     are delivered in the traditional
                                                                                                                  way or you can plan, budget
                                                                                                                  and coordinate your own
                                                                                                                  support.”

LIVE THE LIFE YOU CHOOSE CONFERENCE                                                                               Jean Marc Pitot has been utilising
                                                                                                                  the Cerebral Palsy League’s My
                                                                                                                  Life Program and manages funds
                                                                                                                  on behalf of his son Christopher,
                                                                                                                  who also accesses the Cerebral
The Cerebral Palsy League’s          when, where, from whom and            to update clients, families            Palsy League’s Support in the
Live the Life You Choose             how they receive their services.      and carers on this changing            Community services.
Conference, to be held at                                                  landscape in disability funding,                                                    Just fill in the conference registration form
the Brisbane Convention and          On a state level, the Queensland      according to Cerebral Palsy            “I have chosen self-managed                 and you can send it back to us in a number of
Exhibition Centre on Saturday        government has introduced their       League’s My Life State Manager         funding and we get the flexibility           ways: via the post as per the instructions on
16 November 2013, will provide       Your Life Your Choice program,        Evan Munroe.                           of managing our disability
information, tips and resources      which operates under a similar                                               services funding,” explained Jean           the form, by scanning and emailing it back to
to help people with disability,      model as DisabilityCare Australia,    “The disability sector is going        Marc.                                        emunroe@cplqld.org.au or faxing it back to
their families and carers to         giving people with disability and     through unprecedented change                                                       (07) 3358 8119. So make sure to send it back
navigate new funding options.        their families greater control over   and with that comes uncertainty.       “My advice is to pick a person
                                     the services they receive.            What we want to do is update           from the host provider that you
                                                                                                                                                                        and secure your spot today!
On the national level,                                                     clients and their families on the      can work with and also don’t be
DisabilityCare Australia             The Cerebral Palsy League is          latest disability funding options      afraid to change the model if it is            For further information on the conference,
(previously known as the             part of the Your Life Your Choice     so they have the tools to decide       not working for you.”                         exhibition and sponsorship opportunities or
National Disability Insurance        initiative, running it’s very own     what is best for them,” he said.
Scheme), is being introduced         My Life program. Clients can                                                 “The flexibility in the My Life              if you would like more details on the Cerebral
in New South Wales, Victoria,        choose from a range of host           “Cerebral Palsy League CEO             program means that you are able                  Palsy League’s My Life Program,please
South Australia and Tasmania         provider options, from a fully        Angela Tillmanns will provide          to structure the relationship with             contact Evan Munroe on 0418 612 793 or at
at the moment and will be            managed package, through to           a keynote address to the               the host provider and you can do                        emunroe@cplqld.org.au.
progressively rolled out in          a self-managed package, where         conference and we will also have       as much, or as little, as you want.
Queensland in 2016.                  clients manage their disability       speakers from other disability         It is the relationship I have with
                                     funding options themselves.           sector organisations as well as        Evan Munroe and Cerebral Palsy                       To keep up to date with the latest
DisabilityCare will give people                                            clients and carers.”                   League that makes this program                           conference news just visit:
with disability and their families   The Cerebral Palsy League                                                    work for me.”
choice and control over their
funding and the ability to choose
                                     decided to organise the Live
                                     the Life You Choose Conference
                                                                           “We are thrilled to have Margaret
                                                                           Carmody, General Manager                                                                  www.cpl.org.au/livethelife
 12                                               Touchstone Spring 2013                                                                                Touchstone Spring 2013                              13
QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK
In Brief                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Regional Insight

JOIN US FOR THE
NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE!

Cerebral Palsy League Support
in the Community Windsor will
be hosting a special evening,
entitled The Night of Your Life
focusing on client achievements
to celebrate International Day
of People with Disability on
3 December 2013.

Join clients, family, supporters        The Cerebral Palsy League CEO
and the local community for an          Angela Tillmanns farewells long
elegant evening of entertainment        time volunteer Ross Jobling
                                        recently
and moving client stories. ‘The
Night of Your Life’ will feature
our very own high achieving
clients speaking about their
life journeys and achievements,
                                    VOLUNTEER ROSS RETIRES
as well as live music and           One of New Farm’s longest                         will be missed by everyone at
performances, delicious hors        standing and most committed                       the New Farm office. A farewell
d'oeuvre and a silent auction of    volunteers, Ross Jobling,                         morning tea was held for Ross
client wares.                       has retired. Ross has been                        and he received a lovely CPL
                                    volunteering with the Cerebral                    watch as a departing gift from                MYTIME GIVES TOWNSVILLE DAD VALUABLE GIFT OF SHARING
MARK YOUR DIARIES                   Palsy League in the fundraising                   CEO Angela Tillmanns.
                                    team for almost seven years and
What: The Night of Your Life                                                                                                        Being a father can be a tough          meals, cleaning the house,             understands the rewards and
                                                                                                                                    enough gig, but the challenges         jogging behind Tahlea’s trike          intensity of the caring role.
When: Tuesday 3 December
                                                                                      ARTISTS WITH A                                of raising a child with a disability   to help her ride, modifying the
                                       Artist Steph Everett
from 6.30pm – 9pm                      with Member for Oxley                          DISABILITY CELEBRATE                          can test the mettle of even the        trampoline so she can climb up         “Men are not good at opening
                                       Bernie Ripoll                                  EXHIBITION SUCCESS                            toughest dads.                         to it and taking the girls away for    up, so I’m looking forward to the
Where: Cerebral Palsy League                                                                                                                                               a week on his own.                     opportunity of meeting some
                                                                                      Artists from the Springfield                  One such dad is Townsville’s Mal                                              mates who are going through
217A Lutwyche Road
                                                                                      Cerebral Palsy League celebrated              Russell, father to an eight year-old   But his wife, Rochelle, begs           the same thing as I am,” Mal said.
Windsor                                                                                                                             daughter with a disability, Tahlea;    to differ. “He does lots of little
                                                                                      the success of their recent
                                                                                                                                    and her big sister, Seraya, 10.        things to make her life easier,”       The service is an extension of
Dress: Cocktail attire                                                                Ipswich art exhibition with Federal                                                  Rochelle said.                         the already popular MyTime
                                                                                      Member for Oxley Bernie Ripoll at             Tahlea has cerebral palsy                                                     for Families program, which
Cost: $5 entry, carers free                                                           a special luncheon on Wednesday               spastic diplegia, which affects        It’s a demanding and often             provides facilitated peer support
                                                                                      28 August.                                    movement in her legs, and              difficult role, but Mal is about       for mums, dads, grandparents
Enquiries: Phone Martina                                                                                                            Duane Syndrome, which affects          to do something a lot of men           and anyone caring for children
Cross or Sue Hodges on                                                                Mr Ripoll presented a $1000                   her eyes.                              find even more daunting: talk          with a disability, developmental
(07) 3357 5280 or at                                                                  cheque to Studio Five 8, which will                                                  to other blokes about what he’s        delay or chronic medical
mcross@cplqld.org.au or                                                               go towards supplies and materials             Latest research from the               been going through.                    condition.
                                                                                      for the fantastic art program.                Queensland Cerebral Palsy
shodges@cplqld.org.au
                                                                                                                                    Register found that 1 in 400           Mal is signed up to attend the         The programs not only give
                                                                                                                                    children will be diagnosed             newly launched MyTime for Men          parents a much-needed
                                                                                                                                    with cerebral palsy, making it         program, run by the Townsville         opportunity to socialise, relax
                                   FIG TREE POCKET SERVICE RECEIVES FREE                                                            the most common childhood
                                                                                                                                    physical disability in Australia.
                                                                                                                                                                           Cerebral Palsy League, where
                                                                                                                                                                           Tahlea has been accessing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  and have fun; it enables them
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  to meet other families in similar
                                   LANDSCAPING FROM BUNNINGS STORES                                                                                                        physiotherapy, occupational            circumstances find out about
                                                                                                                                    Mal has not only risen to the          therapy and speech therapy             available community support.
                                   A gaggle of green thumbs came together on Thursday 11 July to                                    challenge of his very busy and         since the service began
                                   regenerate and landscape the gardens at the Cerebral Palsy League’s                              emotionally challenging role of        operating in 2007.                     For more information about the
                                   Fig Tree Pocket service. Thanks to the generosity of Bunnings stores                             caring for a child with cerebral                                              program, contact Corinna Myers
                                   at Oxley, Booval, Browns Plains, Underwood and Rocklea, and the                                  palsy, he’s just been nominated        MyTime for Men hosts free social       on (07) 4799 9600 or email
                                   Brisbane City Council, the gardens were transformed and beautified.                              for Queensland Father of the           outings for men who are carers         cmyers@cplqld.org.au
                                   Thank you to the Bunnings Warehouse staff and other helpers who                                  Year 2013.                             for a child with disability or other
                                   worked tirelessly to get the gardens ready for spring.                                                                                  chronic medical condition aged
                                                                                                                                    Mal would say that there’s             under 16, so they can meet other
                                   Photo: Fig Tree Pocket resident Rhyll Daniels with volunteers Phil, Matilda and Oscar McIntyre   nothing amazing about what he          male carers to share ideas and
                                                                                                                                    does: school drop-offs, cooking        talk with someone like them who

 14                                                  Touchstone Spring 2013                                                                                                    Touchstone Spring 2013                                             15
QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK
All about you                                                                                                                                                                                                        Reaching out

                                                                                                                                                             NEW PARENTING PROGRAM HELPS FAMILIES
                                                                                                                                                             Stepping Stones, a new initiative     and behavioural problems of
                                                                                                                                                             of Triple P - Positive Parenting      typically developing children.
                                                                                                                                                             Program, is now available free of
                                                                                                                                                             charge to parents of children with    Professor Sanders said parents
                                                                                                                                                             disability and special needs.         who have gone through the
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Stepping Stones program report
                                                                                                                                                             Designed for parents of children      greater success in teaching
                                                                                                                                                             aged 2-12 years with disability       their children new skills, with
                                                                                                                                                             and special needs, Triple P’s         improvements maintained at a
                                                                                                                                                             Stepping                                                   one-year
                                                                                                                                                             Stones                                                     follow-up,
                                                                                                                                                             program aims                                               and higher
                                                                                                                                                             to reduce                                                  levels of
                                                                                                                                                             emotional and                                              parental
                                                                                                                                                             behavioural                                                competence
                                                                                                                                                             problems in                                                and
                                                                                                                                                             children and                                               satisfaction.
                                                                                                                                                             improve the
                                                                                                                                                             health and                                                  The $5
                                                                                                                                                             wellbeing of                                                million
                                                                                                                                                             parents and                                                 project is
                                                                                                                                                             caregivers.                                                 funded by
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         the National
                                                                                                                                                             Triple P                                                    Health and
                                                                                                                                                             founder                                                     Medical
                                                                                                                                                             and director                                                Research
                                                                                                                                                             of The                                                      Council and
                                                                                                                                                             University of                                               is being
                                                                                                                                                             Queensland’s                                                rolled out in
                                                                                                                                                             Parenting and                                               Queensland
                                                                                                                                                             Family Support Centre Professor       first, followed by Victoria and
A love of sport is a passion shared      spirit and love of winning that       when I watched him play. No           “People of all ages and all abilities   Matt Sanders said the project         New South Wales. It is the
by just about all Aussie kids. Yet,      has already earned him several        matter whether you played long        can play Boccia: you can even just      will profoundly change the way        world’s first population-level
for many children whose disability       national titles and a spot in the     or short, he had your mark.”          play socially.”                         thousands of Queensland parents       roll-out of parenting support for
affects their mobility, participating    Australian Paralympic preparation                                                                                   interact with their children in the   parents of children with special
in certain sports just isn’t possible.   program for Brazil.                   As it does in many families, Will’s   Queensland Boccia welcomes              future.                               needs.
                                                                               love of sport has brought father      new players, and has invited
One 17 year old Brisbane sports          “He takes winning more seriously      and son closer together – but in      Cerebral Palsy League clients –         “There are about 30,000 children      The project is providing up to two
fan, William Marshall, hasn’t let the    than Boccia – he’s a real             more ways than one. There are         children and adults alike – to join     with disability in Queensland,        years of free parenting support
fact he uses a wheelchair to stand       competitor,” Robert said.             four classifications of players in    their teams.
                                                                                                                                                             many of whom experience three         to all parents of children with a
in the way of living out his passion                                           Paralympic Boccia competition:
                                                                                                                                                             to four times the emotional and       disability aged between 2 and 12
for ball sports – or emulating his       “Will got into Boccia in the first    BC1, BC2, BC3 and BC4 – of which      They have local programs in
sporting hero Michael Clarkes’           place because he’s absolutely         BC1, 2 and 4 are throwers. Will is    Brisbane, Mackay, Rockhampton           behavioural problems of typically     in Queensland.
love of winning.                         sports mad.”                          classified as BC1, which means he     and Townsville.                         developing children,” Professor
                                                                               can have an assistant help him                                                Sanders said.                         Initially, support will mainly be
But while throwing the ball is his       Will attended his first national      manoeuvre his chair and pass          It’s free to ‘come and try’, and                                              available to parents in South-
forte, unlike the Aussie cricket         titles as an 11 year old in 2008.     balls to him. That’s where Robert     costs are just $60 for a season         According to recent research          East Queensland, but support
captain, it’s not a pitch or field he    Incredibly, he was only 12 when       comes in.                             which includes 15 games of              conducted by the University of        will extend to all regions by late
competes on.                             he won silver in the BC1 singles                                            Boccia, plus a $22 annual               Queensland, Monash University         October as more practitioners
                                         and BC1/BC2 team events at the        While there’s no doubt Will has       membership fee, which goes to           and the University of Sydney, the     in regional areas complete their
Will plays Boccia – a bowling            national titles in 2009.              natural talent, competing at          the Sporting Wheelies & Disabled        Stepping Stones program can           training. If a parent cannot access
target sport played on a hard,                                                 this level doesn’t come without       Association.                            reduce child behaviour problems       a program locally in a timeframe
smooth court measuring 12.5 × 6          In 2010, he won his first national    dedication and hard work. Will                                                by up to 80 percent.                  which suits them, online support
metres, with 2 metres of empty           BC1 singles title, defeating then     plays club competition once a         To find out more, please contact                                              or self-directed learning with
space around it.                         title holder, Barry Fear, who was     week with Brisbane City Boccia at     Julie Lyons on 0401 999 822 or          It also shows that left untreated,    phone support will be available.
                                         in his early 30s. Will’s team has     YMCA Bowen Hills and trains at        at lyons@powerup.com.au or Ian          problem behaviour in children
Will has only just finished year 12      been undefeated for the last three    home for an hour four or five days    Jones on (07) 3253 3333 or at           with disability tends to              Check out which sessions are
and is already one of the nation’s       years, winning Gold in 2010, 2011     a week. On his ‘recovery’ days        ianj@sportingwheelies.org.au            worsen during childhood and           currently available, and which
top Boccia players and one of            and 2012 – the same year he won       goes to hydrotherapy or the gym.                                              adolescence and often continues       practitioners in your local area
our biggest hopes for gold at the        another silver in the BC1 singles.                                          Photo: Will with his dad and Boccia     into adulthood.                       are trained to deliver Stepping
2016 Rio Paralympics.                                                          Of course, not all Boccia players     partner, Robert Marshall                                                      Stones, by going to:
                                         As Robert recalls, current national   need to work this hard – or even                                              Their research also found young
According to proud father,               coach Peter King said at the time:    compete said Queensland Boccia                                                people with disability experience     www.triplep-steppingstones.net
Robert, it’s Will’s keen competitive     “I knew we had something special      organiser Julie Lyons.                                                        up to four times the emotional

 16                                                   Touchstone Spring 2013                                                                                     Touchstone Spring 2013                                               17
QUEENSLAND CELEBRATES CEREBRAL PALSY AWARENESS WEEK
Regional Insight

                                                                                                                                                                                          DIARY NOTE
                                                                                                                P&G UPDATE
                                                                                                                                                                                          September 8-14
                                                                                                                The Parents & Guardians              from fully managed funding               Disability Action Week
                                                                                                                Association has been very            packages where the work is
       “I’m taking on the                                                                                       busy organising the upcoming         done for you; to self managed
                                                                                                                                                                                          September 21

       challenge to give                                                                                        Live the Life you Choose
                                                                                                                Conference, to be held on
                                                                                                                                                     packages, where you have
                                                                                                                                                     maximum control over your
                                                                                                                                                                                              Twilight Bay Run

                                                                                                                                                                                          October 2
      disability a voice by                                                                                     Saturday 16 November 2013.           funding.
                                                                                                                                                                                              World CP Day
         not speaking.”                                                                                         The program is looking exciting      This issue of Touchstone
                                                                                                                                                                                          October 4
                                                                                                                and the conference is a chance       contains all the information you
                                                                                                                for clients and their families to    need to register to attend the           Fusion of Music
                                                                                                                find out more about how things       conference. Simply fill in the
                                                                                                                will work under DisabilityCare       Registration Form and send           October 13-19
                                                                                                                Australia, plus find out more        it back to the Cerebral Palsy            Carers Week
                                                                                                                about Cerebral Palsy League’s        League. I hope you can join us
                                                                                                                My Life service, a service being     for this informative and exciting    October 31
                                                                                                                run as a host provider under         conference.                              PWC Cool Night Classic
                                                                                                                the Queensland Government’s
                                                                                                                ‘Your Life Your Choice’.             Sincerely,                           November 1
                                                                                                                                                     Joan Williams                             Fusion of Music
                                                                                                                My Life is a fantastic initiative    P&G President
                                                                                                                and it runs under similar                                                 November 2-3
                                                                                                                principles as DisabilityCare                                                   Noosa Triathlon
                                                                                                                Australia – you can choose
                                                                                                                                                                                          November 16
                                                                                                                                                                                               Live the Life You Choose Conference

                                                                                                                 STATE CCC                                                                December 3
                                                                                                                                                                                               International Day of People with
                                                                                                                                                                                               Disability / The Night of Your Life
                                                                                                                The State Client Consultative        John Rynn, a longstanding                 Event Windsor
                                                                                                                Committee (CCC) held its 2013-       State CCC Member has written                 For further information
                                                                                                                15 elections for Chairperson         his first memoir, You Only Want           on events visit www.cpl.org.au
                                                                                                                and Deputy Chairperson in            Me for My Mind, which was
                                                                                                                June 2013. I was re-elected as       launched at Picnic in the Park.
                                                                                                                the State CCC Chairperson and        Book reviews and orders of the       IN MEMORIAM
                                                                                                                Jenny Johnson (South Coast           remarkable read can be located
                                                                                                                CCC – Gold Coast) was elected        at: www.ipoz.biz/Titles/YOWM.htm     It is with deep sadness, the clients,
                                                                                                                                                                                          staff, Board and Client Consultative
                                                                                                                as the State CCC Deputy                                                   Committees of the Cerebral Palsy League
                                                                                                                Chairperson.                         On 27 August 2013, Jenny             acknowledge the passing of Elizabeth
                                                                                                                                                     Johnson assisted Minister for        Navratil.
                                                                                                                The State CCC welcomes both          Disability Services Tracey Davis
                                                                                                                                                                                          Liz was a long-standing client and special
                                                                                                                new and returning members to         to open the newly renovated          friend of the Cerebral Palsy League. She
                                                                                                                their representative roles. It was   Support in Community                 was committed to representing the views
Silence is golden, so the saying      Palsy League Youth Ambassador,       “I’ve been fortunate enough to       noted by the State CCC that          Southport facilities. Jenny          of clients through the Client Consultative
goes, and in workplaces,              Rachael Dodds, who                   have the support of my family,       many Regional CCC elections          offered an emotional and             Committee holding Chair and Deputy
classrooms and homes around           competed at the                      friends and the Cerebral Palsy       were hotly contested for 2013-       heartfelt address on behalf of       Chair positions on the State and Metro
Queensland, a brave contingent        2012 London                          League, and without early            15 elections with close ballots in   clients and their community.         South CCCs.
of ‘Silent Supporters’ took a vow     Paralympics,                            intervention, I may never have    several regions throughout the                                            Liz’s achievements are many, and she
of silence for an entire day in the   took on the                               achieved my dreams.”            Cerebral Palsy League.               “For me, my friends and for          was a strong advocate for people with
second Chatterbox Challenge           challenge                                                                                                      those staff it is just a beautiful   disability.
during Disability Action Week from    for the                                    According to Cerebral          Picnic in the Park was again a       place to go now...you feel like      Her passion for the arts and talent for
8 to 14 September 2013.               first time                                 Palsy League CEO Angela        very successful event and it was     you can be yourself there.”          theatre saw her develop an illustrious
                                      this year.                                 Tillmanns, in addition to      estimated that 7000 people                                                career as a performer, comedian, director
Besides the blissful peace they                                                  raising funds, supporters      attended. Clients enjoyed many       This project has been five years     and writer. She worked extensively in
provided their workmates,             “As                                        gained a rare insight into     activities and entertainment         of making this dream a reality,      Brisbane, around Australia and overseas,
                                                                                                                                                                                          including performing alongside acclaimed
classmates and families, they         someone                                   what day-to-day life is like    during the day and not even          thanks to the generosity of the      actor Geoffrey Rush.
raised awareness and vital funds      who has                                  for people with disability and   showers of rain could dampen         Gold Coast community and the
to help seven Queensland-based        cerebral                               their families.                    anyone’s enthusiasm. Clients         Queensland Government.               All of us at the Cerebral Palsy League will
disability charities, including the   palsy, I know                                                             from their Regional CCCs have                                             miss Liz’s remarkable contribution to our
                                                                                                                                                                                          organisation, to the disability and arts
Cerebral Palsy League, continue       that achieving                                                            provided CPL with positive and       Sincerely,                           sectors and to the community. We extend
their important work.                 even the simplest                                                         constructive feedback for PIP        Terry Donaldson                      our deepest condolences to her family
                                      things can seem like moving a                                             2014.                                Chair, State CCC                     and friends.
Silent Supporter and Cerebral         huge mountain,” Rachael said.

 18                                               Touchstone Spring 2013                                                                                    Touchstone Spring 2013                                            19
CEREBRAL PALSY LEAGUE’S
LIVE THE LIFE YOU CHOOSE
CONFERENCE
You have the power to decide your future

•   Speakers from government, leading
    disability sector providers and
    organisations
•   Interactive exhibits
•   Children 12 years and under are free
•   Free child care available – places
    are limited

REGISTER BY 30 OCTOBER
• Adults $47.95
• Members $37.95
• Family and group deals
• Travel assistance available

You will find out more about:
• DisabilityCare Australia
• The State Government’s Your Life
   Your Choice program
• Cerebral Palsy League’s My Life
   program

REGISTER TODAY!
Just fill in the Conference Registration
Form, pop it into the free reply paid
envelope and mail it back to us. For
more details email Evan Munroe at
emunroe@cplqld.org.au today go to:
www.cpl.org.au/livethelife

Spots are limited, so make sure to
pop your form in the mail today!

Photo: Rebecca Greigg enjoys
attending the Cerebral Palsy League’s
Support in the Community Service
at Moorooka which can be accessed
through different funding options.
You can also read