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ParaQuad News • Issue 1 Autumn 2016
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or the past 18 months ParaQuad
Occupational Therapist Erin
Doyle has been assisting people
to improve their quality of life, by
providing occupational therapy supports
to clients. Erin sees her role as helping
individuals to live their lives as best they
can and as they want to.
“A number of people have upgraded
to a new wheelchair and seating system.
People have received a range of assistive
devices for their manual chair including
powered options to make it easier to
access the community. One man interested
in getting back into sport after his injury,
has tried wheelchair rugby and is being
assisted to start playing,” Erin says.
“I helped another lady with the trial and
installation of a car hoist which she now
uses to get in and out of the car. Other
NDIS Participants I have supported are
more comfortable and getting better quality
sleep with a new adjustable bed and
pressure relieving mattress.”
“With the availability of NDIS funding,
more people are getting what they need
and in a faster timeframe.”
ParaQuad Occupational Therapy
Services in the Hunter
F
What Erin’s clients say:
The Northern branch of ParaQuad NSW provides an occupational
therapy (OT) service to support people with a spinal cord injury and
other disabilities.
Snapshot of
ParaQuad
NSW NDIS OT
supports
• Customised
seating and
wheelchairs:
selection, fitting
and follow up
• Home
modifications
and assistive
technology
recommendations,
setup and training
• Education
and advice to
maximise function
eg preservation of
the shoulders
• Assist with
changes
associated with
aging with a
disability
• Community
participation
eg accessing
the community;
fulfilling leisure and
productive roles
For more information, contact: Clinical Programs (02) 8741 5689
Erin has been
amazing
to work with in
exploring options
for a new manual
chair. She initially
sent me suggestions
of wheelchairs I
might like and then
arranged for the
chairs to be trialled at
home. She has been
prompt at sorting
out the paperwork
required and
following up with the
supplier.
Te Mana Smith
The service provided by
my OT has been really
outstanding because she has
been open about her role from the
start with me...she is a very good
communicator and organiser.
“She gives me the freedom to
express my thoughts, needs and
wants with my NDIS package and
has organised trial products and
equipment for me. This in turn has
made my life a lot easier because of
my complex needs with my disability.
“She is also quite unique with her
skills as she has researched items
for me, at length, and sent on links
for me to view.
“I very happy and satisfied with the
service that she provides to me,
personally.
Anonymous
When I needed
to research the
availability of crash-tested
power wheelchairs, I knew
… that an occupational
therapist would have
the necessary skills and
knowledge to assist
me. I contacted Erin at
ParaQuad Newcastle. Erin
assisted me to select a
power chair and cushion,
together with a moulded
backrest, which met my
needs and to make a
successful application
for funding from Enable
NSW. She made multiple
visits to assist me to trial it
and assess its use in my
current vehicle.
Ross Soutar