New Peer Leader to advocate for locals with spinal cord injuries

NORTH Haven’s Noel Hiffernan OAM is a full-time wheelchair user and longtime disability advocate who is also the new Peer Leader of the Mid North Coast Advocacy Community Network.

The network takes in Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA), which has grown to be the peak body for more than 20,000 people in Australia living with life-changing spinal cord injuries.

Services provided by SCIA include information, advocacy, accessible accommodation, NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination, employment, peer and family support and NeuroMoves, an exercise and therapy service for people living with a neurological condition or physical disability.

For Noel this role is a natural extension of the advocacy space that he has occupied for the past 54 years.

He told News Of The Area, “SCIA performs an essential service in bringing the issues faced by people with a spinal cord injury to society’s attention.

“It is a dynamic organisation driven by consumers and led by a proactive group of people.”

The local group will meet bimonthly in an open forum with the emphasis on connection and communication in a relaxed atmosphere; with Noel anticipating there will also be discussion around local accessibility topics such as Dunbogan Bridge and the Beach-to-Beach Shared Pathway.

The group is designed to provide peer support, in particular to the newly injured, with the goal of empowering people with a disability to self-advocate regarding local government infrastructure.

Members of the community with spinal cord injuries or neurological challenges and their carers or support workers are invited to attend the next meeting at Laurieton United Services Club on Monday 20 April 10am-12pm.

The meeting following that will be held in Port Macquarie in June.

To RSVP email representative@scia.org.au

By Rachael THORPE