Today I visited the residents at the Youncare appartments, a residential facility for young people with high care needs in Sinnamon Park, Brisbane. I was there with 7 other paralympians and retired paralympians to launch a mentoring program where we will correspond with our new friends at youncare during the Paralympic Games in Beijing.
At the end of our lunch together, the crew at youngcare thanked us for coming, but the pleasure really was all mine. I have been following the media coverage of youngcare with great interest and was honoured to be invited along.
It's not often you get to meet an everyday hero who deserves a gold medal for living. Today I met two such people in Shevaune Conry and Nick Bonifant.
Shevaune Conry inspired the formation of Youngcare and subsequently the community to create change through her courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. She has helped to shed light on the complex issue of being a young Australian with high care needs in Australia today, and create change for many others.When Shevaune's care needs became too great at their home, her and her husband David Conry found their only option was for Shevaune to move into aged care.
Clearly this is inappropriate, and it was at this point when the reality of Shevaune's situation became apparent that the four founding members of Youngcare, David Conry, Simon Lockyer, Nick Bonifant and Matthew Lawson were compelled to do something about it.
Aged care is no place for any young person. Sadly though, 6500 young Australians with high care needs have no choice other than to live in aged care facilities, simply because there are no other alternatives.
The first youncare appartments opened in December 2008, providing a dignified, stylish, supportive,uplifting environment and a whole new care model for these deserving young Australians.
With the assistance of the community, government and business, Youngcare aims to create change by building a number of purpose designed apartments across Australia for young people requiring full time nursing care. In addition, Youngcare will look toward providing other care alternatives such as holiday accommodation, respite care and in-home assistance.
Currently youngcare are seeking a holiday unit on the Sunshine Coast that can be retrofitted for people with high care needs. Can you help?
I encourage you to get behind them and help in any way you can!
You can find out more at http://www.youngcare.com.au/
Listen to my interview with ABC radio
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/07/29/2318047.htm?site=brisbane
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