League News Layout1 - Cerebral Palsy League

PARENTS ANDGUARDIANS UPDATETHE PARENTS and GuardiansAssociation has met twice sinceour last column in League News.The Extraordinary General Meetingwas a very successful meeting.The Parents and GuardiansAssociation and the SevenoaksRelatives, Residents and FriendsAssociation sent a number ofquestions to the CEO before themeeting.All the questions were answered tothe satisfaction of members.The CEO gave an excellentoverview of the League’s operationsduring 2002 and early 2003.At our meeting on Saturday,March 29 it was a unanimousdecision of the members that theBoard continue to hold the EGM.We all felt that this meeting was ofgreat importance as it provides anexcellent opportunity forconsultation with the Board ofDirectors.We may be unable to hold thePicnic-in-the-Park this year due toconstruction work undertaken byBrisbane City Council.However, we have some otherthoughts in progress and we willkeep you informed.Refurbishment at the League’sLabrador Holiday Units seems to beprogressing well.We hope to have some definitenews regarding the Fig Tree Pocketproject.The consultation process with theDepartment of Housing has resultedin a $10,000 grant for an optionsstudy.Tenders were called for the studyand applications closed on April 9.The next meeting of the Parents andGuardians Association will beMay 10.If you require furtherinformation would you contactmyself on (07) 3870 7717, orCarol Barton on (07) 3359 4989.Joan Williams, OAMPresidentParents & Guardians AssociationLABRADORHOLIDAY UNITSUPDATEBAD WEATHER and industrialaction in the building sectorcaused plans for refurbishment onthe League’s Labrador HolidayUnits to be put back severalmonths.Contractors are on site removingthe paddling pool, resurfacing themain swimming pool, andreplacing the filter equipment.The project is still on track to becompleted by December, in timefor the summer holiday season.FEEL GOOD ON YOURHOLIDAYDON’T FORGET when you book anytravel through TravelCentre’s “Take Off”1800 number, onepercent of the totalprice of yourbooking will beautomaticallycredited to the League.JARED’S NEW VOICELEAGUE CLIENT, Jared and hisfamily would like to say ‘thanks’ to theSt George Foundation which grantedthem $15,000 to purchase a voiceoutput communication device(VOCA) for which they had beenraising funds.The family had been saving for almostfive years for a Dynavox, an advancedversion of the miniature Dynamowhich Jared had been using.“It feels as though we’ve been fightingfor this for so long,” Jared’s mother,Marie, said.“We just kept trying to raise the money,and the price tag would increase withthe years.”Jared’s parents introduced him to theDynavox at an early age through theIndependent Living Centre.“He picked it up really quickly, in thetime that we were there, and he wasonly five,” Marie said.League speech therapist, MelanieMcPherson, who has worked withJared, his parents and with the staffat Karalee State School where Jaredattends grade six, said the device hashelped him with his speech.“His speech communication hasreally come along since using thedevice,” Ms McPherson said.Jared has been ascertained at alevel six for school and receivedan Individual EducationProgram (IEP) for this grade.However, he receives helpprogramming his communicationneeds into the Dynavox.Ms McPherson trains histeachers, teacher aids andparents to input informationinto the device, and workswith Jared to improve his oralmotor skills with specificexercises.As well as using the Dynavox,Jared makes good use of acommunication book andpractices his speech forthings that aren’t programmedinto the device.Pictured: Jared with his sisters (from left),Sheridan, Gerida and Siobhan.3

QUALITYMANAGEMENTSYSTEMTHE LEAGUE is currently working todevelop and implement a QualityManagement System that will initiallyinclude Head Office and theEmployment Services: Access, AdeptPackaging, and Printabout.Under proposed amendments to theCommonwealth Disability Services Act1986, funding to disability employmentservices will only be available to thoseorganisations that have achievedcertification under the new QualityAssurance (QA) System.This requirement is part of a newquality strategy for disabilityemployment services in Australia,designed to significantly improveservice quality and client outcomes.It ensures clients are activeparticipants in the evaluation andcompliance with the 12 DisabilityService Standards set out in the newQA System.All Commonwealth funded disabilityemployment services are required tomeet the same minimum level of qualitystandards under the new QA Systemby December 31, 2004.As quality services need to beunderpinned by sound businesspractices, the League has decided thatin addition to preparing foraccreditation for Disability ServiceStandards, it will aim for AS/NZS ISO9001 for Head Office and theEmployment Services.The League has registered its intentionwith the Commonwealth to seekSTAFFTRAINEESHIPSSEVENTEEN staff fromToowoomba commenced theCertificate III in Community Services(Disability Work) during March.The training has been eagerlyawaited, Regional Manager, JonnyNobes said.Toowoomba Education Centre willprovide the training and a team offour senior staff, who are currentlyundertaking their Certificate IV inAssessment and WorkplaceTraining, will be the workplacetrainers and assessors.certification by September 2003, inorder to meet the requirements underthe new national QA System and tomaintain current government funding.It is recognised that this process willfurther the League’s ability to provideservice excellence to its client groupand increase staff morale.In order to achieve QA certification, theLeague appointed a QA Project Officer,Keryn Fox, to progress thedevelopment and implementation ofthe system, and to complete theinternal groundwork.A QA consultant will assist the Leaguein the development andimplementation of a QualityManagement System, that will meet therelevant standards and will be ameaningful management tool.A QA Reference Committee has beenestablished to drive the achievementof a Quality Management System, thisCommittee is chaired by the CEO.The QA Committee will support anddirect the work of the Project Officer,to ensure effective communication anda common understanding of QAthroughout the League.The Commonwealth (FACS) willcontribute to the audit costs forEmployment Services in relation to the12 disability standards up to a set limit.The Gambling Community BenefitFund provided $30,000 to employ theProject officer to progress thedevelopment of the QualityManagement System which includesthe development of the Quality Manual,rewriting of procedures, staff training,and in addition, to provide resourcesto gain certification forAS/NZS ISO 9001.The League supports and funds thetraining, jointly with Federal andState Governments.Good luck to all participants.A MAJORITY of the Sevenoaks staffwho were undertaking the CertificateIII in Community Services (DisabilityWork) have completed their finalassessment, with two staff tocomplete a few minor items beforethey too achieve their Certificate.Manager Jan Landsberg andcoordinator Jorma Tiainen, haveplayed a significant role in supportingthe group through the program.NDT TRAINING UPDATENEURO-Developmental Treatment isa specialised treatment for peoplewith cerebral palsy.There are currently 11 Leaguetherapists undertaking NDT trainingbeing held at the Royal Children’sHospital.Among the 11 therapists, LeagueSpeech Pathologist, Katy Caynes andPhysiotherapist, Julia Hanger areundertaking the course for a secondtime with the aim of becoming futureinstructors.When trained, therapists can use theNDT principles of handling andfacilitation techniques to assistchildren with their movement control.An important component of the NDTapproach is assisting parents tointegrate some handling andpositioning techniques into the child’sdaily routine.League therapists are already seeingpositive results with childrenparticipating in the Neuro-Developmental Therapy course.Throughout the course, the therapistshave had the opportunity to learn froma team of experienced NDTinstructors.Under the supervision of theinstructors, therapists work withchildren as well as attend lectures,complete assignments and readings.The six-week course, althoughintensive, has proved invaluable fortherapists to take time out to focuson developing specialist skills.Following completion of the course,therapists will be supported inimplementing their newly acquiredskills.Information sessions have beenplanned where trained therapists cansupport each other and share theirNDT skills and knowledge across allthe therapeutic discipline groups.In addition, previously trainedtherapists will also be available tosupport course participants.Future directions for the organisationin relation to the NDT approach willhopefully involve research and furtherLeague involvement in coordinatingBrisbane NDT courses.For more information:Katy CaynesPh: (07) 3358 8046kcaynes@cplqld.org.au6

AustraliaETSwww.cplqld.org.au/etsIF FAMILIES are looking for aconvenient and user-friendly mobilityalternative to the traditional wheelchair,strollers are now a viable alternative,with plenty of choices and optionsavailable to customise products tomeet individual needs.Most strollers are growth-adjustableand can be easily modified to meetchanging needs.They are also ideal for equipmentlibraries and other multi-usersituations.Strollers have long been popular withparents and carers because they tendto be lightweight, compact, portable,manoeuvrable and generally userfriendly.A great range of strollers is nowavailable and can meet the posturaland support needs of most children.Many of them also offer features suchas tilt and recline, plus the bonus ofpractical accessories like removablecovers, sun canopies and activitytrays.ETS offers the most comprehensiverange of special needs strollers inQueensland, all at competitive pricesand backed up by our expert adviceand pre-and-post sales service.PROFESSIONALIN-SERVICETHE LEAGUE’S regular in-service forprofessional staff was held on March25 and 26, at New Farm.On the first day Dr Fiona Campbellfrom Griffith University explained theamended Privacy Act and itsimplications on the disability sector.Policy and Research Officer, GlendaGrimley presented on relevantLeague policies including the PrivacyPolicy and Code of Practice, andpolicies relating to access to clientinformation, release of information,storage and confidentiality.The second day was planned arounddiscipline specific training.Social Workers attended a workshopon Strengths-Based Practice.To assist customers in deciding exactlywhich model works best for them, mostof our strollers are also available fordemonstration and trial.The ETS range currently includes thefollowing:Maclaren MajorEcoBuggy by Otto BockConvaid CruiserPixi StrollerMio by AlvemaLexEasySKimba by Otto BockFor more information:www.cplqld.org.au/ets/wheelchairs/strollersJenni DabelsteinMarketing Manager, ETS AustraliaPh: (07) 3637 6363Fax: (07) 3637 6361etsmarketing@cplqld.org.auStrollers arenow a viablealternative to thetraditionalwheelchair, withplenty of choicesand optionsavailable tocustomiseproducts.Pictured:The LexEasySTherapists attended presentations intheir various disciplines on topicsincluding: research feedback andpriorities; feedback from severalconferences; equipment issues;Botox intervention and follow-up;upper limb assessments; SecondSkin products; psycholinguisticframeworks for speech and literacyintervention; information for carers ofadults with dysphagia; Neuro-Developmental Treatment, andcortical visual impairment.The next professional developmentdays in the format of a conferenceare planned for October.The League is committed to ongoingtraining and development of staff.The Senior Professional Team playsa pivotal role in the coordination ofprofessional training and support fortherapy and social work staff.NEW WHEELCHAIRACCESS TO VEHICLESGETTING wheelchairs andoccupants into and out of vans ortaxis can be a problem: removablemanual ramps are heavy, impracticaland not always safe, while hydrauliclifts are very costly and requireextensive vehicle modifications aswell as significant ongoingmaintenance.RampBoss is a great new productthat has just hit the market.It provides safe, practical and userfriendlyvehicle access.Because the mechanism does notrequire expensive hydraulics orelectrics, it is a fraction of the cost ofpowered lifters, and is virtuallymaintenance free.There are no vehicle modificationsrequired, and you don’t lose any loadspace.RampBoss is mounted directly andeasily onto the towbar of your van orstation wagon and uses a uniquefolding mechanism to raise and lowerin seconds, with minimum effort.The all-weather, non-slip surfaceprovides safe loading conditions andthe ramp is secured for travel by anin-built locking mechanism thatprevents accidental deployment.The RampBoss can be removedfrom the vehicle for storage or fittedto an alternative vehicle ifcircumstances demand, providingflexibility for changing needs or fleetsituations.RampBoss is available in Standardand Wheelchair Access versions.For more information:www.cplqld.org.au/ets/otherproducts/transportJenni DabelsteinMarketing Manager, ETS AustraliaPh: (07) 3637 6363Fax: (07) 3637 6361etsmarketing@cplqld.org.aui am equippedFOR SALE“Nearly New” Z-Flo cushion.$190.00Please call: (07) 3820 26627

FROM THE LIBRARYWEBSITES FOR PARENTSAND CARERS OF CHILDRENWITH DISABILITIESwww.our-kids.orgInformation and support forparents and carers of childrenwith special needs.The Our-Kids Internet ResourcesPage includes access to acerebral palsy newsgroup and acomprehensive list of disabilityrelated email groups.SPECIAL CHILD – FORPARENTS AND CAREGIVERSOF CHILDREN WITHDISABILITIESwww.specialchild.comSpecial Child is an on-linepublication specifically for parentsof children with special needs.CHILDREN’S DISABILITYINFORMATIONwww.childrensdisabilities.info/This site contains links to disabilityarticles, resources, book reviewsand interviews with authors. Thesite also contains The Children’sDisability List of Lists © - anannotated directory of mailinglists for families of children withdisabilities and special needs.Each disability mailing list isvalidated for usefulness andfamily orientation.EXCEPTIONAL PARENTMAGAZINEwww.eparent.comThis on-line magazine providesparents, families, carers andprofessionals with information,support, encouragement andideas about disability - relatedissues.For more information:Deborah CronanLibrary Information OfficerPh: (07) 3358 8036dcronan@cplqld.org.auDISABILITYDISCRIMINATION ACTTHE HUMAN RIGHTS and EqualOpportunity Commission co-hosteda Brisbane Forum with the Anti-Discrimination CommissionQueensland on the achievementsand challenges of the DisabilityDiscrimination Act (DDA) after its 10years in existence.Over these 10 years, thousands ofindividuals and organisations haveused the DDA to create change bymaking complaints of discriminationand using the law as a basis tonegotiate broad social change oreducate organisations on theirresponsibilities.Key stakeholders and advocatessuch as Director of QueenslandAdvocacy Incorporated, Kevin Cocksrated the Commission’s and theDDA’s performance out of 10, duringthe end of the forum.He joined John Mayo, an activist andadvocate for the Paraplegic andQuadriplegic Association, in awardingscores of seven and eight to the DDA.The DisabilityDiscrimination Act 10Years On Forum:(From left) Director ofQueensland AdvocacyIncorporated - Kevin Cocks,Anti-DiscriminationCommissioner Queensland- Susan Booth, Minister forEmployment and Training -Matt Foley, Minister Foley’sAdvisor, and Human Rights/Disability DiscriminationCommissioner -Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM.YOUR CITY, YOUR SAYHave an opinion?Want to make a difference?Then join Your City, Your Say.BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL ismaking particular efforts to involvepeople with a disability in theirconsultation processes.They are working to ensure theirconsultation activities include andinvolve people with a disability.With your input, Council can betteraddress the issues facing your cityand can work toward creating abetter Brisbane for everyone,including people with a disability.The CEO of the Queensland Allianceof Mental Illness and PsychiatricDisability, Guy Clarke, gave the DDAa rating of four, and mentioned thatpeople with mental and psychiatricdisabilities fared more poorly throughthe DDA because their conditionswere not recognised as disabilities.The Human Rights and DisabilityDiscrimination Commissioner, Dr SevOzdowski OAM launched theCommission’s publication, ‘Don’tJudge What I Can Do By What YouThink I Can’t’, which presents anoverview of the history of the DDA.It also contains the Commission’sposition on the different mechanismswithin the DDA and how these haveworked over the past ten years toachieve change.‘Don’t Judge What I Can Do ByWhat You Think I Can’t’ is availablein various formats, including largeprint and audio, at the LeagueLibrary in New Farm.It is also available in Braille fromthe Human Rights and EqualOpportunity Commission.If you want to be heard on anyissue affecting you such astransport, recreational andcommunity activities, socialamenities, libraries, access, andmore, please get involved in YourCity, Your Say.A flyer is included in this issue ofthe newsletter if you wish tobecome a member.The flyer is also available ontape, which can be obtained bygoing to www.ourbrisbane.comor by phoning the Brisbane CityCouncil on (07) 3403 8888.8

FIG TREE POCKETDAY SERVICE ISGROWINGFIG TREE POCKET Day Serviceis moving itself into an era ofsophistication and will celebrate withan open day for its ‘GrowingTogether – Building InclusiveCommunities’ project.On July 19, during Disability ActionWeek, the open day ‘GrowingTogether’ will introduce the peoplesupported by the service to othercommunities and enhancerelationships they already sharewith local services.The open day will provideopportunities for people to ‘growtogether’ by sharing and learningtogether, and showcasingachievements including a newlypainted interior, refurbished diningroom featuring a mural depictingthe city, and a new garden.A new hydroponic system andshade house, sporting the latestequipment, will be the centrepieceof the day.The shade house and its contentswere bought with money grantedfrom Disability ServicesQueensland and the GamblingCommunity Benefit Fund.Volunteers Hal Johansen, MarkDuggan and Hillary Loos were themain builders and have skills indesign, construction, and water andelectricity connection.Hydroponics was a chosen activitybecause it is a form of gardeningopen to the inclusion of everyone,regardless of ability.Plant shelving can be set at any heightto enable access, and digging andweeding isn’t necessary.Activities at ‘Growing Together’ willinclude:The free hydroponic workshopprovided by Dianne Perrott ofpast Channel 2 Gardeningfame, who is also a member ofthe florist family of the same nameThe opportunity to be involved inmaking windsocks, garden plantsigns, and other arts and craftsrelated to gardening and produceLight refreshmentsThere are still a number ofimprovements to be made to enhancethe building.Submissions for grants for a newkitchen, floor covering for the totalinterior and a main entrance facingFig Tree Pocket Road will beprepared in the future.These projects, and more, areworking towards the goal ofcreating an inclusive community atthe Fig Tree Pocket Centre, whichis growing more inviting in everyway.The space will provide a fine venuefor future cultural and artisticexperiences, interactions, andexpressions such as live musicentertainments and live theatre, orjust a quiet spot for picnics open tothe community.The community is welcome to takeup the offer to use the space forcultural and social interactions.Revamping Fig Tree Pocket Adult Day Service:Volunteer, Mark Duggan, chats to Warren in the refurbished gardens.VITAL VOLUNTEERSTHE VOLUNTEER Service has beenvery busy recently, with many newfaces joining the ranks of people whogive their time and skills to servicesand people across the League.The League warmly welcomes themand thanks all volunteers for theircontinuing contribution.This edition we would like tointroduce Colleen Jeffs, who hasbeen volunteering for some time inBrisbane’s south.Colleen volunteers her time eachweek to visit a League client couplefor a friendly chat.The friendship that has grown as aresult of conversations shared atafternoon tea is something valued byall three people.For more information:Jessica PanterVolunteer CoordinatorPh: (07) 3358 8008(Monday to Wednesday).Pictured: Regular volunteer, Colleen Jeffs.9

RESEARCH ANDETHICS STANDARDSTHE RESEARCH and Ethics groupwas initially formed as a standingcommittee of the Quality AssuranceCommittee of the League during the1990s.Following structural changes in 2001,it has become a subcommittee of theLeague Management Team.Members of the committee are:· Manager Service Developmentand PolicyPolicy and Research OfficerSenior Professional Team (four)· Regional Manager representative· Client Information and PrivacyOfficer· Community Grants CoordinatorThe League acknowledges theimportance of research and evidencebasedpractice in achieving excellencein service outcomes for its clients.It has been directly involved in, or hassupported research for many years indiverse areas including:Protective BehavioursParson’s Crouch Control OrthosesUpper Limb Hypertonicity Surgery· Development of Reading andWriting Skills in Children withSevere CommunicationImpairment· Tactile Processing Ability inChildren with Cerebral Palsy· Improved Health and Well-beingfor People with Cerebral Palsy andCarers through PhysiotherapyProgramsDavid Hart Walker Questionnaire· Advocacy and Health Project(Developmental Disability Unit)· Muscle Activation Timing inChildren with and without CerebralPalsy· Family Carer’s StudyCurrent research projects areassessing the energy expenditure,physical activity levels and bodycomposition of children with cerebralpalsy, as well as assessing andmanaging upper limb function forclients with cerebral palsy.The latter project is being funded bya trust fund in memory of the late DrPaul Johnston.Applications for funding for severalfurther research proposals haverecently been submitted, highlightingthe need for ongoing research and thesupport provided by the League.Planning is under way to establishresearch needs and priorities of theorganisation.Terms of Reference of the Committeeare:1. To encourage a culture ofresearch within the organisationthat generates improvedinformation and understandingabout cerebral palsy, interventionsand service delivery models.2. Evaluate and monitor newdevelopments in service deliveryin conjunction with the League’sSenior Professional andManagement Teams.3. Consultation throughout theorganisation to establish currentresearch needs and prioritieswithin the League.4. To facilitate and oversee Leagueactivities in the implementation ofin-house and inter-agencyresearch projects.5. To advise LMT regarding theethical considerations of researchproposals within League policycontext and the latestdevelopments in researchmethodology and practice.NEW BOARDCHAIRMANRECENTLY APPOINTED Chairman ofthe Board, Laurie Lassig has a longpersonal association with the League.Mr Lassig followed a path into thedisability services field after his sonJamie was diagnosed with severespastic quadriplegia and cortical visionimpairment in 1979.Sadly, Jamie passed away in 1990 butleft behind him a father dedicated in hisvision to continue to develop hisknowledge and special interests in thefield of disability and education.As the longest serving Board Memberat the League, Mr Lassig has witnessedmany changes to the organisation andrecognises the cohesive team itpresently boasts.“I think the Board and its Managementat the moment have an excellent workingrelationship,” he said.“Although the organisation has recentlyachieved a break-even budget whichmakes it possible to plan for the future,it will be an on-going challenge tomaintain that position in the light ofincreasing costs and inflation.”Mr Lassig became a Board Member in1989 through his membership of theLeague, however this is not aprerequisite for future Board Members.“I think the most misunderstood thingabout a not-for-profit organisation Boardis that Board Members are intended tohave a role in the day-to-day operationsof the organisation.”“The Board is not there to get involved inMeetings of the committee arescheduled on the first Monday of eachmonth.The League is seeking to pursuefurther relevant research and to locatefunding sources to achieve this.If anyone has ideas forresearch or are contactedregarding possible areas ofresearch, please call:Glenda GrimleyPh: (07) 3358 8056ggrimley@cplqld.org.auKaty CaynesPh: (07) 3358 8046kcaynes@cplqld.org.auThese ideas can be discussedand facilitated through theestablished processes.the day-to-day operations of theorganisation, but to make informedpolicy decisions based on sound advicefrom management and their diverserange of skills.”“Board Members should be electedbecause of their high level of skills inthe various areas of corporategovernance, and not because they havea personal association with theorganisation.”“The Board is in the process ofconducting an audit of its own skills, soit can pinpoint the skills it will be lookingfor when filling the current vacancy.”The League’s relationships with itsstakeholders are currently very good, asa result of extensive consultation andthe establishment of productivepartnerships, Mr Lassig said.Chairman: Laurie Lassig is the League’slongest serving board member.10

CLIENTS ANDPARENTS CONCERNEDAFTER MONTHS of frustration, peoplewith cerebral palsy and many parents ofchildren with cerebral palsy have begun acampaign.They are calling on Health Minister WendyEdmond to review her decision of lastyear, not to provide the League withadditional funding for its unfunded andunder funded health related therapyservices.This decision has caused extremefrustration for many people as they nowattempt to access these services via thepublic health system.The mother of a child with cerebral palsy,Heather Angus, outlines her experiences:THESE days, one could be forgiven forthinking that politicians don’t listen to thepeople.In the case of Queensland Health,however, I remain convinced they areclearly ignoring the plight of adults andchildren with cerebral palsy.Is the Minister aware of the vital role thatthe Cerebral Palsy League plays in ourlives?Is the Minister aware that the Leagueoffers a service Queensland Health couldnot come close to matching?My recent experiences would attest toforming an unfortunate scenario for theMinister and her Managers.When attempting to organise postsurgical therapy for my six-year-old son Irealised the League was not funded forthis health-related service.So I followed this up with CommunityHealth, whereupon I was informed theywould not provide a service for my littleboy.Managers were aware of the League’s newsituation but, I was told, are advising theirtherapists to ‘stick to core business’.I could only take this comment to meanmy son was outside this categorybecause he has cerebral palsy.Clients of the League would not be pickedup despite there being an obvious gapwhere families would fall.IMPROVED SERVICESGladstone Adult Day ServiceSERVICES in Gladstone are set toimprove with the relocation of the AdultDay Service to a permanent location inearly April.A lot of the issues with sharing roomsat the Meteor Sports Club will beovercome with the move into town to anoffice in Boles Street.The office was previously used byanother community agency and isalready fully accessible.A few minor repairs and alterations willallow improved services to existingclients and the capacity to extendservices to clients on the waiting list.I find this directive astonishing, if notbordering on discrimination.But wait, there’s more… I received a replyto a letter I had previously written outliningthe fact that I was concerned aboutservices in general.The well meaning bureaucrat who repliedobviously didn’t know what herDepartment was doing as she advised meto, “Access the very experiencedtherapists in the Health Department.”This would be amusing if it wasn’t for thefamilies who will be seriously affected bythe funding shortfalls.The Minister needs to be more aware thatthe Cerebral Palsy League offers the kindof service available nowhere else.Simply put, it provides a ‘One-stop shopservice’ for families.The therapeutic, emotional and practicalsupport for families is centred in one place,where problems can be addressed byparents networking through the League,and exchange of information andequipment is facilitated in a way theHealth Department could not.I was able to return to the workforcebecause of the support the League offeredto family day care.There are good, cost-effective reasons forthe government to increase funding to theLeague.We can no longer take the League’sservices for granted.I see a need for families to become moreproactive.We live in strange times and we can’tassume governments listen to us.We must be strong advocates for ourchildren and for the organisation, whichseeks to maximise their quality of life.How does this translate? Should we takeour children to Parliament House?Should we letterbox drop WendyEdmond’s electorate?There are a number of ways to go but onething is clear: The Government is sellingour children short and it is time to showour displeasure.Heather AngusParentSevenoaksThe Department of Housing has recentlyallocated $10,000 to the League toundertake an Options Study into thefuture development of the Sevenoakssite at Fig Tree Pocket.Terms of Reference have been draftedto include the needs of currentresidents, as well as others who mayat some future time be seeking anaccommodation option on that site.Geoff RoweManager Service Development & PolicyFROM THE CEOANY WAY you look at it the year isracing past.We are now one third of the waythrough the calendar year and theEaster break has been and gone.An even more sobering thought isthat we are ten months throughthe financial year and the newfinancial year is already in sight.At this time of year our thoughtsturn to the development of a newbudget for the 2003/2004 financialyear.There is no doubt that next yearwill be another challenging yearfinancially for the League.The progress we have made inaddressing the ongoing financialviability of the League’s servicesin the last two years will be underthreat due to cost increases (egsalaries and inflation) and the lackof adequate indexation ofgovernment funding grants.As you know, this year we weresuccessful in gaining an additional$847,000 in recurrent funding fromDisability Services Queensland.If DSQ provides indexation of 1.6percent, as they have in recentyears, and our costs increase byan average of 4 percent, then thisfunding in real terms will only beworth $826,000.As you can see from this exampleno organisation is financiallysustainable in the long term underthis scenario.We will continue to lobby theQueensland Government toaddress the service viabilityissues in the vital disabilityservices sector, of which theLeague is a major component.The State Budget which will beannounced on June 3, 2003 is anopportunity for the Government toshow some leadership in thatregard.Bruce MilliganChief Exectuctive Officer11

Yes! I want to help the Cerebral Palsy League of QueenslandTitle: ______ Name: ____________________________________________ Company: _______________________________Address: _____________________________________________________________________________ PC: ____________Phone: (b/h)___________________ (a/h)___________________ Email: __________________________________________Please accept my donation of:$50 $35 $60 $500 Your Choice $_____________Please find enclosed my cheque or money order; orPlease charge my: Bankcard / Mastercard / Visa / Amex / Diners (PLEASE CIRCLE)Card Number: |______________|______________|______________|______________| Expiry: ______/______Name on Card: _______________________________ Cardholder Signature: _______________________________Please send me more information on:Knowing more about cerebral palsy and/or the LeagueHow my social club can become involvedHow I can make a provision for the League in my willHow I can assist the League through Volunteer workQ U E E N S L A N DCerebral Palsy League of QueenslandPO Box 386 Fortitude Valley Q 4006Thank you so much for caringDonations are fully tax deductibleLeague NewsVOLUME 27 • NUMBER 2 • MAY 2003Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland Quarterly MagazineGOT YOUR RUNNING SHOES ON?Get your team together now, and join the rest of Brisbane for the Annual Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run on August 3.Queensland Newspapers and Suncorp have once again selected the Cerebral Palsy Leagueas a beneficiary of the fun run.The League will organise the catering for the event and benefit from its proceeds, as well as receiving a percentageof the proceeds of all corporate entries.We are investigating ways to transport League teams to the race, because with a sizzling hot breakfast waiting atthe finish line, who could afford to miss out on this serve of serious fun!Everyone is encouraged to participate, so if you would like to enter a team in the fun run, register with:Rebecca LucasEvents CoordinatorPh: (07) 3358 8027, or rlucas@cplqld.org.auDate Event Location6th MayAll Queensland Awards Trivia Night Port Office Hotel9th-13th JuneAll Queensland Awards Finals WeekBrisbane13th JuneAll Queensland Awards Gala NightBCEC - Southbank3rd AugustBridge to Brisbane Fun RunNew Farm Park11th - 17th AugustNational Cerebral Palsy WeekState Wide16th AugustAnnual Client ConventionNew Farm22nd AugustParliamentary Golf DayWynnum Golf Club27th - 28th SeptemberBV 100 Canoe RaceWivenhoe Dam12