PEOPLE living with spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions on the Mid North Coast now have a dedicated space to connect, share, and advocate for change.
The Mid North Coast Spinal Injuries Australia (SCIA) group meets in Port Macquarie every two months, offering a welcoming environment in which individuals with lived experience can find support, understanding, and a voice.
Local resident Sarah-Lynn Eade completed SCIA’s Engage program and applied to become a volunteer when the organisation was looking for people to launch new groups.
Before the wife and mother of two sustained an injury five years ago, she worked in the aged and disability sector for 17 years.
“I really missed being able to give back and help people,” she said.
“You feel very alone after sustaining a major illness or disability.
“SCIA has given me the confidence and the platform to be able to do this again… and from feedback from our local members they feel the same.”
SCIA provides training and guidance on how to get the groups started, and support in identifying grassroots issues. Group leaders remain in regular contact with SCIA staff, who assist before and after meetings to talk through concerns and help take action when needed.
“It is amazing to sit back and watch how one person will bring up a problem and everybody in the group will support them and offer help.
“They give people living with a disability a platform to bring up local issues, which are then taken to Council, or state and federal issues, which help SCIA determine [what to] tackle, make policy briefs and bring up the need for change.”
The next Mid North Coast SCIA Meet and Greet will be held on Monday 11 August from 11am to 1:30pm at the PCYC Port Macquarie on Owen Street.
Family members and carers are welcome.
This growing initiative is helping individuals rediscover community, connection and confidence while driving real change.
To learn more or to get involved, email representative@scia.org.au.
By Sis HIGGINS
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