Header image: Boutique Business House’s image of the Boutique Charity Golf Day
Welcome to the March edition of the CareMatch newsletter! March was an action-packed month for us and the wider disability community alike – so let’s get started.
We kicked off the month celebrating International Wheelchair Day on March 1, advocating for a more inclusive world. Shortly after, we joined the Boutique Charity Golf Day, supporting an incredible cause (more details below). International Women’s Day on March 8 was another highlight, with a focus on inclusivity for disabled women. We want to take a moment to wish all the incredible women in our community a belated Happy International Women’s Day, in case we missed you in person.
We’re also excited to share that the commencement of construction for Accessible Homes Australia’s Hervey Bay site got underway, which will provide 12 new villas for NDIS participants with High Support Needs. Check out the project here.
In case you missed it, Dinesh’s Project BioSpine was recently featured on The Project, showcasing the innovative use of virtual reality to aid in walking again. You can catch the episode on YouTube here.
Lastly, we’re excited to share a new TedX Brisbane presentation on “Regratitude,” a mindset tool helping individuals turn regret into gratitude. If you find this of interest, watch the short talk here.
For more, including our new Compliance and Administration Officer Asher Weddell, keep reading below.
CareMatch attends the Everything is Possible gala |
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As a proud Care Crusader sponsor, we were honored to be part of the Everything is Possible gala dinner on Saturday, March 23rd. With over 700 guests, the evening was truly incredible. Witnessing Perry deliver his keynote speech while standing assisted on stage, for the first time in 30 years, was a moment we’ll never forget. From collective efforts over time, the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation has raised over $12 million to find a cure for paralysis, now propelling the Spinal Injury Project Trial towards its mid-2024 commencement. You can get all the latest on the project by clicking the link below. |
Asher Weddell joins our CareMatch team |
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We are excited to introduce Asher Weddell, our new Compliance & Administration Officer. Graduating from Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, Asher was excited to dive into the workforce and learn new skills. She eagerly completed her Certificate III in Medical Reception and landed a full-time role at a radiology clinic. Fast forward to now, Asher is with us at CareMatch saying she “loves the friendly, caring and positive nature of the staff who have been extremely welcoming”, adding “I’m very excited for the opportunity to learn new skills and grow in this role, getting to know everyone and becoming a part of the team!” Please join us in welcoming Asher to the team! Her email is: asher.weddell@carematchaustralia.com.au |
Swinging for a cause at the Boutique Charity Golf Day |
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On the 1st of March, we were honored to sponsor a hole at the Boutique Business House Charity Golf Day! It was a great day out filled with swings for a cause, raising funds for two incredible organisations: the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation and LIVIN. We’re proud to have played alongside a fantastic group of people, all coming together to support these important missions – to cure paralysis for all, and, to break the stigma of mental health. Here’s to making a difference on and off the course! |
Have you met Abbie? Our support worker and remedial massage therapist |
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Abbie isn’t just a valuable member of our CareMatch team – she’s a skilled remedial massage therapist at Making Strides in Ormeau. With over two years of experience in the field, Abbie offers a range of treatments including deep tissue therapy, Swedish massage, dry needling, cupping, and pilates. We’re thrilled to have Abbie on board, bringing her expertise and passion for wellness to our team and the clients we serve, too. |
Working with your hands is good for your brain |
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This month, we stumbled upon an enlightening article from The New York Times confirming what many of us suspected: hands-on activities offer significant cognitive and emotional benefits. They’re linked to improved memory, attention, and can even reduce anxiety and depression. This brings us back to a heartwarming memory of Emily and Jack spending time together painting. Not only did Jack gain a new artwork for his home, but he also reaped the cognitive rewards of this enjoyable activity shared with Emily. |
Around the CareMatch grounds |
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Congratulations to Kirsten Heritage on 6 months with CareMatch. And, a big round of applause for Alina Gheorghiu – our carer of the month for March! Alina has gone above and beyond to take up shifts and rearrange her personal life to accommodate clients, which has been a big help to the team! |