The latest from the Peer Support team at the Repat.

Graham shares his lived experience during SCI Awareness Week

Peer Support Mentor Graham O’Neil has been out and about during Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, sharing his lived experience and helping build greater understanding of life after spinal cord injury. Here, Graham shares an update on his recent visit to the Royal Adelaide Hospital Spinal Injuries Unit.

As part of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Adelaide Hospital Spinal Injuries Unit and speak with a team of 10 nurses about my experience of spinal cord injury.

I shared my journey from injury, from the acute and through to the rehabilitation settings, and eventually transitioning back into the community. We talked about some of the things that were done well, the challenges I faced at different stages, and what can be helpful for nurses to understand when caring for someone with a spinal cord injury.

It was also a valuable opportunity for the nursing team to ask questions and hear about what life can look like after a patient leaves the acute hospital setting.

For me, sharing these experiences is an important part of peer support. It helps build understanding between people with lived experience and the health professionals supporting them throughout their journey.

Join us over at the SA Spinal Cord Injury Peer Network closed Facebook group!

Did you know the Estara Peer Support Team have a private Facebook group specifically for people who have had a spinal cord injury (SCI) in South Australia?

Moderated by the Peer Support team, the group offers a welcoming space to ask questions, share local resources and connect with other peers who also have a SCI.

Join us so you can be in the conversation too.

Join the Group Here

QWERTY celebrates Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week

To support Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, QWERTY held two special events at the Repat to bring people together for recreation, wellbeing and social connection.

On Monday 7th September, QWERTY livestreamed the Estara Recreation and Wellbeing Conference, giving patients and visitors the opportunity to watch the conference together from the hub.

On Thursday 10th September, Peer Support Mentor Graham O’Neil and QWERTY Coordinator Craig Taylor hosted a ‘Come & Try’ games afternoon. Patients were invited to try out a wide range of games in the QWERTY Hub, including Air Hockey, PS5 and arcade games. It was a great afternoon of fun, friendly competition and social interaction, with drinks and nibbles provided.

What’s QWERTY?

The QWERTY Hub is based at the Repatriation Health Precinct Spinal Unit. The hub provides a welcoming space away from the ward to meet socially, stay in touch with friends and family and improve digital access and skills.

Features and services for patients and staff to access include:

Computer access, printing and scanning facilities.
Recreational opportunities, including PlayStation 5 gaming with two adaptive controllers, an air hockey table and a retro arcade gaming machine.
Setup and support for new phones and tablets
Assistive IT technology for clients with reduced upper limb function (e.g. eye-gaze software, Dragon dictation software, gyroscopic bluetooth head mouse, and height-adjustable computer desks).
Access to kitchen facilities, including a microwave, fridge, coffee and soft drinks.
Access for outpatients when visiting the site.

Estara employs a Coordinator who is responsible for the QWERTY Hub, while volunteers assist to pass on technical and practical skills.

A wonderful experience for Shyanne and her Mum Mabel

Peer Support Mentor Vicky Machen recently took Estara client Shyanne and her mum, Mabel, to experience their very first AFL game.

Shyanne has been receiving care in the Repat Spinal Unit following a car accident. She and Mabel are from a small community in the Top End of the Northern Territory and had never been to an AFL game before – so an Adelaide Crows v Western Bulldogs elimination final was quite the introduction.

Making the night even more special, Shyanne is a Bulldogs supporter, while Mabel barracks for the Crows. While the result didn’t go Shyanne’s way, both were overwhelmed by the atmosphere and experience, and Mabel was understandably pretty happy with the final score.

Shyanne returned to Darwin last week and is hoping to be back home soon. As her mobility improves, she’s already talking about returning to Adelaide for a visit after getting a taste for being out and about and experiencing new things.

Healthy habits

By Peer Support Mentor, Vicky Machen

Welcome to Spring everybody. Hasn't it been a warm start to the month! Now that the weather is getting hotter, we must focus on taking in more water, as long as you are not on restrictions.

For those who have indwelling or supa-pubic catheters, it's even more important to drink and keep everything flowing to avoid things like: