Going local works for Mary

Some hands-on local intervention has made a dream into reality
for a Queensland woman and her furry friend.

Until recently, Mary Martin, who has mobility issues, had been living on Mt Bauple south of Maryborough, tackling life’s challenges on her own.

However, it became increasingly apparent that the very things she loves about the mountain, its isolation and inaccessibility, were impacting negatively on her health, independence and quality of life.

“Before now, and for a very long time, it was like I was just managing to hold on,” Mary says.

And so Mary and her Department of Communities local area coordinator  Julie began to plan for a different life, which evolved into a detailed life plan with a new vision of keeping Mary connected to art and culture, within her mobility limitations.

“Julie has been such a help,” Mary says. “I didn’t feel as though I was going through the jungle on my own anymore.

“She helped me set definite goals to achieve certain things and because I had someone to answer to I would do those things before seeing her.”

Julie also helped Mary find social housing in Brisbane based on location, safety and accessibility to key facilities identified in Mary’s plan.

Another key aspect of Mary’s plan was to have her dog, Jellybean, accredited as a disability aid dog, giving them both access to public transport.

Mary also has her own department-funded mobility scooter.

 “Before now, I was feeling like I was being trapped within my limited physical capacities, but now life’s almost explosively different,” Mary says.

“I’m back getting in the mainstream of life again. Everything’s seemed to have come together. I don’t feel cut off from the world and life is more accessible for me living here.”

Finding your local

Local area coordinators work with individuals, families and at a community level to help enable people with a disability to be valued and lead quality lives within the community.

They link individuals and their carers with appropriate services.

Queensland has 41 local area coordinators and 12 supervisors working from 36 sites.

To find your nearest coordinator, phone Freecall 1800 177 120 for contact details or go to your nearest disability service centre. 

Frank works to highlight abilities

Early in his adult life, local area coordinator Frank Cook observed that many people with a disability were “put in boxes,” as he puts it.

“There was always a culture around them. You do so much for them and don’t worry about them,” says the Torres Strait Islander, who is based on Thursday Island.

“Our job is not to do things for people with a disability. It is to work with them to allow them to create their own journey and we’re just there as a support mechanism.

“Our job is to try and highlight the abilities of that person so he or she can contribute towards the community’s activities and development.”

Frank relates his experience with a middle-aged local with cerebral palsy, who had given up any thought of driving again.

“He’s now got an open licence and is banking to buy himself a car – something that was well beyond his reach before I worked with him,” Frank says.

“Why do we keep focussing on a person’s disability when that guy’s got enormous talent and ability that we could use for helping our community grow, whether spiritually, economically, culturally, whatever the case may be.”