SAMI LUKIS SAMI LUKIS - Cerebral Palsy League

TELSTRA HELPS CARERS
Western Australia has received a Telstra
Foundation Community Development Fund
Grant of $45,000 to study the effects on
major caregivers of caring for a child with CP.
Comments from major caregivers - usually
mothers - of young people show that the need
for greater understanding of the impact of
disability on the family remains unmet and
urgent. This seems particularly important
when there is not only a physical disability,
but also difficult or unusual behaviour in the
young person.
As children grow up and parents realise that
some difficult or unusual behaviours are not
just a normal part of development, but seem
here to stay, many become more and more
concerned about the social and emotional
impact of these behaviours. For example,
behaviour such as temper outbursts in the
supermarket might be considered “OK”, or
“normal” for a three or four year old, but not
when the child is aged 11, 12 or early teens.
Families coping with children with cerebral
palsy and challenging behaviours may need
more, or different, coping skills and strategies
than do families coping with severe physical
disabilities without challenging behaviour.
WA and Curtin University of Technology are
working with families of children with CP aged
7 to 13 years. This is the first study of its kind
looking at the severity of cerebral palsy and
the major caregivers’ perception of its overlap
in their children with problems in attention,
behaviour and other conditions such as anxiety
and depression.
It is hoped that the research team will identify
factors that help families cope with having a
child with cerebral palsy, and identify factors that
hinder family coping, an aim being to increase
resilience in the family and community at large.
The project is of national and international
significance and interest to all Australians.
FAMILIES FOR FAMILIES
Families for Families is a respite service for children with severe and multiple
disabilities offered in South Australia. Families with a child who has a disability
requiring family oriented respite are matched with an approved host family who cares
for the child in their home for up to 52 nights per year.
These overnight visits can be one night a week, one weekend per fortnight, one
weekend a month or several days during the school holidays. Families for Families is an
alternative to centre-based respite and can often be more suitable for younger children.
Respite care gives families a chance to have a break from the demands of providing
full-time care and allows them to spend time with other children. South Australia reports
that all host families are carefully screened, trained and supported by Social Workers.
If parents do not have a host family in mind then a family is selected for them.
A number of daytime introductions are arranged until the child feels comfortable about
staying overnight. Families can receive a non-taxable reimbursement to cover their
expenses.
For further information, contact the CP Helpline 1300 30 29 20.
Big Bandana Bibs
ON THE
NEWS
FRONT
A new ‘Big Bandana Bib’
sized to fi t most children
and young adults is ‘a bib
that doesn’t look like a
bib’ according to its supplier. It has a
thin layer of fl eece that absorbs any
moisture, disperses it and let’s the bib
dry straight away. Therefore no wet
clothes and no saliva rash.
To fi nd out more contact the CP
Helpline on 1300 30 29 20.
LAWN BOWLS
One of the reasons for the growing popularity
of lawn bowls is the lack of physical
barriers – those of all ages and levels of
physical disability can play the game.
However, until now, one of Australia’s
most popular sports,lawn bowls has
largely been inaccessible for people in
wheelchairs.
Now, thanks to our Queensland group
there’s a solution to make everyone
happy - the Green Wheeler. It is a totally
new concept in bowling wheelchairs,
developed with the assistance of green
keepers and people with disabilities.
Featuring unique wide front and rear
wheels, the Green Wheeler has been
demonstrated in recent trials to have
minimal impact on a green’s playing
surface.
The rear wheels of the Green Wheeler
are recessed under the seat, allowing an
unobstructed and natural bowling action.
The frame itself has a low centre of gravity
to ensure optimal stability and safety
for the user. A padded seat and backrest
offer both comfort and postural support,
while a range of accessories including a
sportsman’s must have - a drink holder!
For more information contact the CP
Helpline 1300 30 29 20
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