This is the Chat Forum
Feel free to share any issue and add relevent links
STUDY
Virtual Campus – www.tafevc.com.au
www.truelocal.com.au – search Tafe
Private Colleges
Study Online or at Home
SPORT
Volunteer Work.
It could be Flexible and can help you build up a tolerance to pain. So you can return to a paid job.
Working HOURS
Because the minimum amount of hours you need to be paid for is 4 hours and failure for the work choices to implement any special conditions legally for flexibility for people with disability / injury. And working below 15hrs is not of the normal either.
HINT: If you’re doing your job right you should be able to ask to make up hours, and be flexible going to work at different times of the day. Also you could Bake them cookies ; )
The education system should help with questions whether you are continuing past study or new study. OR to change your study to fit in with your current physical condition.
Starting your own business. But don’t throw all your settlement money away it is paid to you for a reason and you need to think more about the future now then ever.
IF you know any business that specializes in employing and nurturing people recovery from trauma / disabled please let the site know.
Hobbies – Co-ordination advice
Knitting/making jewelry/drawing/writing/day dreaming/physiotherapy/Organization.
Doing something that makes you use co-ordination is important. Using your hands and having to use concentration, eating using the knife and folk properly using the right hand to sip from a cup then the left hand, walking around, stretching, eye exercises, simply passing a pen from one hand to the next 40 times and day. Needing to use your muscles, picking up things.
You can feel so heavy, overwhelmed, and dizzy but it won’t hurt you to scrunch your fists while lying in bed lifting your legs up and down wiggling your toes, and in moments the adrenalin flows through your body get up and stay positive. Then get up in moments you think you shouldn’t. These moments then blend together and you get up all of the time. There just much harder then a normal person. Acceptance is the key. Even if your un steady and being looked after you can still offer to make a drink for your carer just let them know it might not turn out perfect the more you do the more likely it will become more perfect. (or not) Not necessarily painless but done. Make sure they know you’re not going to do it all of the time you’re just trying to burn off some pint up energy.
Laziness does not compare to this experience. You can tell yourself that your being lazy and it’s not the pain/limitations this tells your brain a different story and you can move a couple more steps. Using Little tricks like this, but don’t fully believe them or they can make you feel a little bad for yourself.
Books
Food Diary / Exercise Diary / Medication Diary / Pain/Mood/Mobility Diary / Appointment Diary / Travel Diary / Financial Diary
Example: Diet and exercise Diary Printed by Hinkler Books
Site: www.hinklerbooks.com printed in 2007.
This book has a great break down of all information with a monthly reviews, a beginning breakdown of all measurements then another one at the end of the 12 months, inc a picture of you at the beginning and the end of the 12 months and a small repetitions part/sleep/mood/appetite/injuries&illnesses/weight/foods/incidental exercise/cardio/strength. There some places to add in extra things.
If you can find one that also has a medication column it would be the peeerfect thing. There is a diary for every day and you put down what you ate/time/appetite/ and can put in some other information also.
Manage your Pain – ABC books. Written by Dr. Michael Nicholas, Dr Allan Molley, Lois Tonkin, Lee Beeston
Written on Chronic pain which is a condition that last longer then 6 months.
A very helpful book shines a light on family and people close to a victim. The way we act is pretty much written in here and can help you avoid the traps.
You can also find inspirational stories of triumph, people who push the boundaries and have found ways to defeat disability.
Chicken Soup for the Chiropractic Soul, Stories of inspiration, healing, laughter, and a lifetime of wellness Written by Jack canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Dr. Fabrizio Mancini
Chirothots- The war on Cancer, Written by Kevin Donka D.C
Do it yourself-Learn how to Books: Reiki, tai chi, meditation, pressure points, healthy eating, healthy living,
Self help books. Books on people who have been through a traumatic event.
www.brookes.com – publishers of books for people who are facing disability
Muscular and Nervous System:
Scenar Treatment, Invented for use by Astronauts to maintain Muscle activiation, and to be used once returned from a mission to activate Muscles.
http://www.enlightenedtherapies.com Scenar Therapy System
If you have full Extras Cover you can receive up to $500 towards this apparatus, classified as a tens machine. it is far more advanced for a greater treatment. (12 mth waiting period)
Busitis (can lead to surgery)
Informative site on many/all issues:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/bursitis/article_em.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001456/ – Bursitis
Orthopaedics:
www.wheeless.online.com – Wheeless text book of orthopaedic, explains all things to help diagnose symptoms even your own.
www.emedicine.com – Insufficiency fractures of the pelvis
www.orthoassociates.com Pelivs Fractures www.orthoinfo.aaos.org – orthopaedic
Search: Arthrodesis (Plates in Body, removal of joints e.g SIJ- plates in its place, or/and HIP JOINTS, FEMUR ECT)
http://www.orthosupersite.com/default.aspx
http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=64871 (Hip Fusion)
http://www.popovic.com.au/surgery_cervical.html
You need to join to see:
http://www.mdguidelines.com/degeneration-cervical-intervertebral-disc – Abstract View
Neurological:
www.healthinsite.gov.au – look up e.g.-Chronic Fatigue/Muscular disease/Neuromuscular diseases
www.scoliosis.australia.org AUS www.scoliosissystems.com/ USA very informative
www.merck.com – Nerve Damage
www.diabetes.org – Nerve damage
www.cancerhelp.com.uk – Nerve damage
www.nature.com – anesthetic nerve damage www.braininjurycentre.com.au– Trauma PSTD/ptsd
www.braininjury.org.au – Trouble with memory
National Digestive Diseases
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov – Gastroparesis (NDDIC) IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome (after medication/internal injury side effects)
Information and Help on a range of issues
www.mydr.com.au – inc. your oesophagus including reflux www.health.gov.au
www.mda.org.au http://www.ag.gov.au/ Attorney General Site, Government
Universities constantly place research papers and reports on there websites from their students and teachers, their findings from their studies they can be very helpful and supply information on other sources.
www.radwashington.edu
www.powmri.edu.au
Research Sites – New Way
Stem Cell Research – To Transplant Unhealthy/damaged Stems Cells with Healthy/undamaged ones.
People disagree with cloning not stem cell research, they are opposed to the creation of life, not transplants from self such as bone marrow, and umbilical cords.
I don’t believe there is opposition to the creation of soley a liver or heart for example.
Can they do that without creating a full life, or taking from embryos?
Does it matter if they take cells from an egg that would never become a life anyway?
www.stemcell.com
www.abc.net.au – Stem cell transplant helps women brazillian women walk again (20th November, 2004)
www.mayoclinic.com – search: stem cell transplant
www.healthinsite.gov.au – search: stem cell research
www.alzheimers.org.au – search: stem cells
www.thespasticcentre.org.au – search: stem cells
www.arrow.org.au Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation (cancer)
www.bmdi.org.au Bone Marrow Transplant Support Group (cancer)
www.legal-definitions.com – re: Cord Blood Banking
www.biocell.com.au – Bio-cell Cord blood bank
www.cellsense.com.au – Research Umbilical Cord Blood-bank/stem cells
Informative regarding donating Organs/Tissue to help benefit research.
www.vifm.org/anthropology.html – preparing/after death
Medical Expenses
Private Health insurance – you may have to wait up to 12mths when starting a new policy if you have a pre-existing condition before they will cover you, if you end up in hospital of in need of it before then there will be an assessment done on your condition if it directly relates to a pre-existing one, you will not be covered for it in those 12 months.
IF you have an injury/multiple injuries or long term chronic conditions private insurance is worth investing in. It is worth it also for the extras, massage, and chiropractor for a well person. If you use all of your extras you will be paying e.g. $1200 per year extras of $600 to spend per year, so if you use them all you are only paying $600 per year for top hospital cover and the rest.
Over the past 10 years, prices for extras, which in some cases are for stabilisation. Have doubled, due to private insurance. Making it unaffordable for managing major chronic issues. For example I would run out of my private insurance in the first three months of the year. Therefore making me have to pay for the extras insurance, in full and paying in full for treatments.
They are not taking into account actually injured people. Most injuries are chronic and depending on lifestyle will incur reoccurring stabilisation and recovery. It seems the actual market slipped through their fingers.
Make sure you do your calculations. Add it to your pay out from the insurance company. Physio/Chiro and massage can assist in stopping and managing degeneration and helping with stabilisation. I never needed nor wanted a massage, in fact had no muscle issues. I am not a relax for no reason ‘type’ of person. I was studying massage at the time of the accident. I was surprised how many did need them. Other people, and my life are not the same. There are some me’s out there. I am saddened that I had to forgo this care. Due to neglect from the 3rd party insurer and associated doctors/lawyers. There is a fraud occurring and it is through these insurance companies/doctors/lawyers all clearly provable, working on both sides actually. It is completely lawless. They are running their own little world. I pray for the justice system to throw the book at them and come down with a heavy hammer. Things must change.
Need to Know
www.rta.nsw.gov.au – Disabled Parking
www.smarttraveller.gov.au – to get travel insurance (for accident purposes), and arrange/find out special needs information.
www.bobjane.com.au – tyre care tips
www.pfizor.com.au – do a first aid course
At Home Care: Bedridden NEEDS:
An alarm that will go off to tell you when to take medication may need to go off several times a day.
Timetable of what to take and when, keeping records.
A bell to call for assistance.
Extra pillows, Latex pillow.
A pillow for under the feet. And knees, and/or a rolled up towel. Will help with aching in the feet/legs. Pressure stockings.
Walking stick / Crutches to move around / Wheelchair when you leave the house, or full-time.
Chair in the shower, face washers, baby powder.
A Tray to eat from in bed or sitting.
Legal Advice/Help
www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au
www.youthlawact.org.au
www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au
www.nswbar.asn.au
Let’s protest to have all nurses to write in CLEAR letters their names on paper work, from now on. Insist upon it.
Making a complaint:
Office of the Legal Services Commissioner
Taking care of someone:
If you are a parent/guardian/significant other/other of someone and are taking care them financially you may want to keep a financial diary, of all medical and other payments you are now paying on their behalf for compensation purposes
Stay organized; keep ALL receipts, medical report and related information in one place. (In a box, flexible file and or binder)
Keep a personal note book of events, doctor appointments/pain/ and travel keeping all kilometers in a notebook.
Centrelink needs to know about your compensation payout you will need to give them claim information. Your lawyer will be involved as will the insurance company in you paying back money etc
Financial Help
www.centrelink.gov.au – Disability support pension / Newstart allowance
www.australia.gov.au
www.craustralia.gov.au
www.reachout.com.au
www.facsia.gov.au http://www.ag.gov.au/ Attorney General, Government Site
Having trouble with Centrelink? – also see Complaints/Concerns contacts
www.ssat.gov.au Freecall 1800 011 140
Finance Managers for claim settlements for Investments, future living expenses (medical & other), housing, retirement, and superannuation.
If you are a parent/guardian/significant other/ someone taking care of a person financially you may want to keep a financial diary, of all medical / travel other payments you are now paying on their behalf for compensation purposes.
Charities
www.salvos.org.au
PH: 1300363622 – Salvation Army
www.rmhc.org.au
Ronald Macdonald House – If you’ve missed time at school, or need to travel for medical treatment
www.redcross.org.au
www.stjohns.org.au
St Johns – Ambulance Service
www.careflightrescue.com
NRMA Careflight Ph: (02) 9891 6144 email: info@careflight.org
www.angelflight.org.au
Transfer patients
www.arrow.org.au
Bone marrow transplant Foundation (cancer)
dir.yahoo.com – Directory-search for directory of charitable organizations
Young and need a place to stay a new organization recognizes the lack of accommodation
www.youngcare.com.au
Home Care
www.apcare.com.au
www.agedcareonline.com.au
www.seniorshousingonline.com.au
www.amhomehelp.com.au
www.planetamber.com
If you are looking after someone at home who is bedridden go to NEED TO KNOW for an inventory of needs, and the immediate action pamphlet.
Agencies/Services to Contact for any further help
www.disabilitycoordinationofficer.com.au
www.wwda.org.au
Suicide Prevention/Support Groups
www.wwda.org.au – go to suicide prevention there is a very complete contact list with all the necessary contacts!
www.wwda.org.au/portsui.htm
www.psychology.org.au – learn about suicide.
www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/preventing_suicide
www.bmdi.org.au – Bone Marrow Transplant Support Group (cancer)
Disability Products:
Rent/HIRE or Buy
www.ovomobilityequipment.com.au
www.automobility.com.au
www.acomstairlifts.com.au
www.renthire.com
www.finlease.com.au
www.enablement.com
They should have most if not all equipment you can HIRE/BUY a wheelchair from most chemists, and should be able to get crutches from the hospital.
You can ask for a wheelchair at ALL public Venues/Places and one must be supplied.
There is a range of equipment on the internet for paraplegic/Amputee/geriatric/elderly/handicapped and physiotherapy equipment.
Complaints/Concerns
Health care Complaints Commission – there is one in every state, their names do differ state by state making it more difficult to pin down Start with the hospital you attended and go from there.
Hospitals request you bring forward any concern as soon as it happens so as they can sort out the issue.
If you find you are too debilitated to do this, and do not have the strength do not have someone else do it for you, or to maybe write in a letter in your behalf. Phone the hospital immediately and speak to the Complaints Officer. If one is not available and it is an emergency then ask for the head of the department that you have a concern with. If it is an emergency and the officer is not available for instance the neglect is far too great to wait for a response contact an agency like the health care complaints commission, and even the police, You should expect a speedy response from them, and even from the hospital.
If you’re scared or do not think you should, or do not want to be a problem, don’t believe this is not true and there is no need to feel that way all of your concerns from hygiene, handling of your body in critical times/medication, mistakes, things that have made you uncomfortable, neglect or put your life in immediate danger even if it did not result in death/or serious injury will help them determine where procedures and people need to be pulled into line.
These mistakes and neglectful acts are unacceptable and you should not accept anything less then how you would treat others and how you really needed/need to be looked after.
If time has passed, it is still ok to inform the hospital and outside agencies to assist them with re-modeling the healthcare system. And to help you to resolve any issues.
Complaints need to be made in the state that it happened e.g. if an accident in Melbourne the complaint must be sent to Melbourne.
You need to give full names and addresses of the person/s with whom you are complaining about. (Direct them if necessary)
hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au – NSW
www.hccc.gov.au – or search (health care complaints commission)
info@hqcc.qld.gov.au – queensland
http://www.ag.gov.au/
Health Commission Council
www.health.gov.au – to find out current health minister and other info such as careers
www.safetyandquality.gov.au – health care commission
Health Commission on safety and Quality in Health care
If you think something needs to be added or changed to the disability discrimination act start at:
www.acif.org.au
Relating to Human Rights
www.hreoc.gov.au
Chat room –Stories – Share an Experience, Chat Room for members and non-members, Comment on the site **There is a current chat site here I am referring to a LIVE one spoken of in Mission Statement
Immediate Action – Pamphlet
If you wish to complain about a doctor or service please do so, BUT please do not mention any persons name or the name of any place, except states on this site.
You may go to the Contact list and find sites/details where to raise concerns about doctors and services.
Please do speak freely about your situation.
If you know of any informative, scientific or medical websites please do not hesitate to attach them to an entry. (Or any other sites relating to this topic you have found useful)
If anyone would like to advertise on this site please make do contact the administrator.
The addresses under the contact list have been chosen as they relate to accident/disabled people; they have not been officially censored by this site, and most are government agencies.
Personal information will be carefully monitored and this information will not make it onto the site.
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Trauma Accidents 