Roy's journey of recovery

SPRING EDITION 2015

Dreaming the impossible dream

Welcome to the Spring edition of Focus on Independence.I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter and learn how your support is improving the quality of life for people with a disability.Recently, Independence Australia has undergone some major changes as we strive to improve outcomes for our consumers.We have made changes to our education and training arm, which is now known as Field. These developments will provide more skilled staff for the disability sector, ultimately ensuring better quality care for people with a disability.In addition, we recently announced we have signed an agreement to merge with disability provider DASSI in the near future.Both organisations have a long and proud history of providing in-home disability support. Hence, this merger will enable us to grow this component of our services, and in turn, signifi cantly improve outcomes for people with a disability.Thank you for your support and I hope you will share with us a renewed vision of a community in which people with a disability have a vastly improved quality of life.

Regards,Peter TurnerChief Executive Offi cer.

FROM THE CEO Merger puts care before profi tThe recently announced planned merger between DASSI and Independence Australia is a major positive initiative which will improve outcomes for people with a disability.

Helping the environment

At Independence Australia we want to keep in touch with our loyal donors, updating you on how your support is improving the quality of life and delivering better outcomes for people with a disability.One of the most cost effective and environmentally responsible ways we can do this is via email.

Simply contact fundraising@independenceaustralia.com with your full name and preferred email address and we’ll make sure you receive our monthly emails.Please be assured all email usage strictly complies with privacy legislation.

Both Independence Australia and DASSI are community service agencies with a focus on assisting people with disabilities to live full and independent lives with the care and support they need.“In an increasingly competitive environment, in the lead up to the NDIS, organisations such as ours who are fully committed to our clients and putting care before profi t, need to be in a position of strength,” said Independence Australia Board Chair, Brian Meltzer.“Our staff are the key to delivering quality services to people with disability and we greatly value their commitment and expertise. A big change like a merger is a great opportunity to build on our

combined strengths in the NDIS environment,” said DASSI Board Chair, Dr Neil Cowen.“This is an exciting opportunity for both agencies to maximise our shared common values, visions and strengths. Both boards are committed to establishing a thriving new service which increases value to our clients and customers,” said Mr Meltzer and Dr Cowen.In a statement, the Chief Executive Offi cers of both organisations said: “As we transition to one organisation, business will continue as usual. The proposed merger will create a larger, more sustainable attendant care service, whilst maintaining individualised services, fl exibility, choice and control for consumers. We are both pleased and excited about the opportunities this merger will create for our clients, our staff and our communities.”There will be extensive consultation with clients, consumers, staff and key stakeholders to shape the direction of the new service over the coming months.

Focus on Independence

When Tim McCallum manoeuvred his wheelchair onto the stage of The Voice it was the beginning of a dream come true.

But then when his performance moved three of the four judges to turn their chairs, which fi nally led to Tim joining forces with renowned artist Ricky Martin, it really was “like dreaming the impossible dream.”“To see those chairs swirl around was overwhelming,” recalls Tim. ”I had such respect for all the judges and to have three choose to work with me as a fellow musician was the most moving moment of my career.”Tim, who has performed for more than 25 years, is a talented singer with a voice that sends a chill down your spine.But there is so much more to the

amazing story that is Tim McCallum than what you hear on stage.Aged 18 Tim was well on his way to a successful musical career when he had an accident whilst diving which left him quadriplegic. The doctors said he would never sing like he used to before the accident.But Tim rose to the challenge. He undertook extensive rehabilitation and then changed his singing technique to compensate for his newly acquired physical limitations.With the support of his devoted wife Mel, Tim decided to audition for Channel Nine’s highly acclaimed program The Voice. And when those three judges’ chairs turned, Tim said he was “ecstatic, relieved and humbled. It was quite overwhelming; the audience was incredible.”Tim went on to perform a second time on The Voice in The Voice Battles, and despite not winning

the fi nal round against his own team mates, he was most gracious in defeat, noting that he saw this experience as a “stepping stone to greater things.”Tim, who is an offi cial Ambassador for Independence Australia, is passionate about the need for people with a disability to receive the support they require so they can fully participate in every part of life they choose. He wants the community to see the person, not the disability.“My disability is only a part of what defi nes and describes me. I am many things. My disability is the most visually obvious, although I would tell you that my baldness is the most obvious. I am a singer, husband and fanatical Saints supporter well before I’m a person with a disability.”With that attitude and determination, it seems certain that Tim really can look ahead with confi dence and yes, dream the impossible dream.

Dreaming the impossible dream

Focus on Independence

A bright time in winterThanks to the outstanding generosity of our supporters, a group of Independence Australia clients were recently able to have some time away for a short break; for many it was their fi rst holiday in decades.

Each year our kind donors provide funds so people with a disability can have a free holiday.They get some valuable time away to explore new sites and meet new friends. At the same time, their unpaid carers also get a much needed break from their caring roles.These very special trips away are more than just hopping in the car and heading off down the highway.They are highly involved and complex in their planning. Firstly, Independence Australia has to source accessible holiday facilities and accommodation, ensure all visits and attractions are fully accessible for people using wheelchairs, engage qualifi ed support workers to assist with each person’s care and support, and assess other issues, such as the need for hoists to get people in and out of bed.Complex indeed, but to see the smile on their faces is reward enough for all the work involved.Thank you to those donors who helped in making these holidays possible and showed such practical support for people with a disability.

SpinChat delivering new skillsIndependence Australia’s highly successful SpinChat program has a two pronged approach.

Firstly, the secondary school-based prevention program is aimed at making teenagers aware of the dangers of

acquiring a spinal cord injury due to an accident.At the same time, the program assists its speakers to get their lives back on track after acquiring an irreversible spinal cord injury.SpinChat is generously supported by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and Monash University. As part of the process of building confi dence and resilience in our SpinChat presenters, Independence Australia recently hosted a number of personal development and coaching sessions.SpinChat presenters learnt new communication skills, engaged in role play and were taught techniques to present with emotion, clarity and confi dence.These new skills will improve their presentations and help the speakers in many other aspects of their lives, especially for those who have just begun the journey of reshaping life after a sudden spinal cord injury.The project will include future feedback, ongoing coaching and review of school-based sessions.Funding for the SpinChat Up-Skilling Project has been kindly provided by The Jack Brockhoff Foundation and the Slater and Gordon Community Fund, a sub fund of the Australian Communities Foundation.

Turning homelessness into hopeThank you to our many generous supporters who recently supported our tax appeal with the theme of turning homelessness into hope.

Many people with a disability encounter major diffi culties fi nding affordable, accessible and safe housing.Our Case Managers work tirelessly to ensure clients such as Gina,

who was homeless and living in a car, fi nd the right place to live.Thanks for your support; it is greatly appreciated and helps us to instil hope into the lives of people with a disability.

ABN 80 973 805 243208 Wellington StreetCollingwood VIC 3066

T 1300 704 456E fundraising@independenceaustralia.comW www.independenceaustralia.com