Your Monthly Dose of Care (September 2024)

Image of Tori, Alissa, Megan, Perry and Tom

September has been quite an eventful month, both globally and within our CareMatch circle.

We kicked off the month with my trip to Turkey, accompanying Perry Cross on his annual leave vacation to spend time with friends and soak in the culture in Istanbul. Shortly after, Henry took a well-deserved two-week break, enjoying a family holiday along the coast.

The world took in the most successful Paralympics to date, and we celebrated our Aussies earning an impressive 18 gold, 17 silver and 28 bronze medals!

September 10 marked World Suicide Prevention Day, a reminder of the importance of these conversations. We’ve shared LIVIN’s S-L-O-W mnemonic to help support those around you. You can read it here.

Keep reading to see what else we’ve been up to this month, including our Carer of the Month recognition!

Image of Fiona Schenk and her award

Fiona is awarded for her work in spinal cord injury care

Join us in congratulating Fiona Schenk, our Nursing Manager, who received a Certificate of Appreciation from the spinal unit at Gold Coast University Hospital for Outstanding Support in Advancing Spinal Cord Injury Care!

Our staff and clients already know about Fiona’s exceptional work, but it means so much to see her recognised by esteemed industry peers as well. We couldn’t be prouder – congratulations, Fiona!

Image of Julie, Leah and Kayla

Julie and Kayla accompany Leah on her Cairns trip

Leah just enjoyed her first holiday in a long time, with a getaway to Cairns! Traveling with in a wheelchair, as many of you would know, incurs lots of forward planning and hands-on assistance. So we’d like to say a special THANK YOU to Julie and Kayla, who made this trip possible. Your dedication and care goes a long way to ensuring our clients have a seamless experience.

Image of Tori and Will at Mission Beach

Tori supports Will on his liver cleanse journey

Tori and Will spent ten days in Mission Beach for a liver cleanse and gut health reset, which Tori decided to join in on too!

As many of you know, maintaining a healthy gut is particularly important for people in wheelchairs, as prolonged sitting can slow digestion, leading to bloating and other digestive challenges. Regular resets like these can significantly boost nutrient absorption, strengthen immunity, and enhance overall well-being.

Image for SIPtember

SIPtember is still open for donations!

September may have wrapped up, but SIPtember hasn’t! You can still help support the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation (PCSRF) in their goal to raise $100,000. With just over $86,000 raised last month, they’re very close to their goal and all proceeds help to support a cure for paralysis.

Illustration depicting a team celebrating.

Around the CareMatch grounds

Congratulations to Ryan Boardman, our September Carer of the Month! Ryan earned this recognition for the incredible effort and dedication he showed in making Nathan’s trip to Sydney a success. Thank you for going above and beyond as always, Ryan.

Whether you’re a team member, participant, or part of our wider network, thank you for being a part of our CareMatch community. Stay connected with us for more updates, stories, and highlights of the incredible individuals who make CareMatch so special.