Forward Ability Support

On International Day of People with Disability, we asked some of our residents what is important to them. Here's what they shared. 💬 What’s most important to you as a person with a disability? We’d love to hear your thoughts—join the conversation and let’s celebrate the voices and stories that make this day meaningful.

We were delighted to be part of the Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT Sports Review Lunch. It was a fun afternoon filled with great entertainment as we came together to celebrate the sporting year that was. More importantly, it was a wonderful opportunity to help raise funds necessary for Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT to finance grass-roots programs and pathways that are essential for wheelchair athletes as they commence their sporting journey. We look forward to the year to come! 

We've been fortunate to have Mario on our team for nearly 2 decades! As he approaches the 20 year mark, here's what Mario has to say about working at Forward: "I have been in the industry for over 20 years and have had the privilege of working with Forward since March 2005. Throughout my career, I have supported many clients and consistently strive to go above and beyond to ensure their needs are met. Working for Forward has been a fulfilling experience for me. I genuinely love my job and take great pride in being a dedicated employee from 2005 to the present. My role has allowed me to make a significant impact on the lives of those I support. I have received excellent ongoing support from the Personal Care Team and continuous training from our Clinical Care Coordinator, which has been invaluable in enhancing my skills and ensuring I can provide the highest level of care. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Forward and look forward to continuing to contribute to the well-being of our clients." ~ Mario, Personal Support Worker. Thank you for your passion and dedication, Mario! We hope to have you on our team for many more years to come.

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR TEAM Ron is a welcoming presence at Ferguson Lodge, often the first friendly face people see. He plays a special and impactful role, from assisting with day-to-day needs to simply being there to chat. The autonomy in his role means Ron can approach every situation with genuine empathy, making each client feel understood and supported. His ability to manage his responsibilities himself has set a high bar for customer care, providing comfort and reliability to Forward’s community. For nearly two decades, Ron has been a vital part of Forward Ability Support, where he plays a unique role embodying both independence and compassion. With a spinal cord injury sustained 36 years ago, Ron joined Forward—formerly known as Paraquad—with a personal mission: to offer others the support and understanding he once needed. His journey began from a deep desire to help people who face similar challenges, and that purpose has guided his almost 18 years of dedicated service. When asked what he loves most about his role, Ron speaks highly of the flexibility and support he receives from his manager and team, who trust him to carry out his responsibilities in a way that suits both him and those he serves. This trust allows Ron to fully invest himself in his work, creating a space where people feel valued and welcomed. Looking to the future, Ron hopes are for Forward to expand its services to better support those over 65 who have acquired spinal cord injuries, a group that often faces unique challenges in accessing appropriate funding and resources. With more accessible funding, Ron believes Forward could extend its reach to meet the needs of this community, offering them the same compassionate support that has defined his career. Thank you for helping make Forward and Ferguson Lodge all that it is, Ron! 

The holiday season is fast approaching. This can be an especially difficult time for clients, as feelings of isolation, loneliness and mental health challenges can be more pronounced. At Forward, a lot goes into ensuring this festive time is as nourishing, supportive and undisrupted as possible. We conduct early, proactive wellness check-ins with clients, proactive planning, and prioritise creating a holistic culture of care, aiming to ensure that both clients and carers receive the support they need for a positive, balanced caregiving experience. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone – clients and carers alike – feels connected, cared for, and prepared to thrive during the holiday season and beyond. Read more about our holistic culture of care at Forward in this article: https://lnkd.in/duNcm9E3 Personal Care Management and Support During Holiday Season By Joumana, our Personal Care Manager at Forward And if you are a client, make sure you let us know your holiday plans before December 10th! Whether planning trips, family visits, or any other changes to their routine, providing us with early notice helps us avoid disruption in care and ensures we can continue meeting your needs. 

Residents of Ferguson Lodge recently came together to celebrate Oktoberfest with a delicious German-inspired lunch prepared by our talented in-house chef, who brought a taste of Bavaria to the heart of Ferguson Lodge! It was a joyful, festive time, as residents shared stories, enjoyed music, and embraced the spirit of Oktoberfest over a sumptuous spread of traditional German favourites such as bratwurst, pretzels and a variety of delicious salads. We love fostering community and celebration at Ferguson Lodge, and regularly create enjoyable, culturally rich experiences for our residents so they can connect with one another and celebrate in style. A big thank you to our chef and everyone who helped make this Oktoberfest celebration a memorable day for all! More about the event here: https://lnkd.in/gNaEq-Ws #fergusonlodge #fas #forwardabilitysupport #everydaymatters #respiteaccommodation #sci #spinalcordinjury

Sharis Matevossian Doumit, our Community Engagement Manager, just attended the Care Expo in Sydney, where she met incredible providers offering services in support coordination, Occupational Therapy, support work, assistive technology, and consumables tailored for people with spinal cord injuries. Here's what Sharis shared about being there: "I loved witnessing the spirit of collaboration as organisations united to support people with disability. The willingness of providers to share knowledge and educate one another about their offerings was truly wonderful. I left feeling energised with the strong sense of community and am excited to explore how these connections can enhance the services offered at Forward Ability Support."

Our Chief Clinical Advisor, Dr Dinesh Palipana, spoke about life with a spinal cord injury and the incredible advancements being made in treating them at the recent Wounds Australia 2024 Conference. Dinesh left us with a power takeaway on the impact that clinicians have on their clients, reminding us that whilst people may not remember what clinicians do for them, they will always remember how they make them feel.

Are you a Forward Member? A reminder that our 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) is coming soon. WHEN: Wednesday 20th November 2024 at 10:30am WHERE: Zoom Don't forget to RSVP by 10am, Monday 18 November 2024 to receive the Zoom link. You would have received an email invitation with the agenda, how to RSVP and a link to the Annual Financial Statements.  We look forward to having you there.

Forward ambassador, Joel Sardi, recently embarked on an exciting new chapter as the Director of Program Delivery for the Department of Veterans' Affairs. As a veteran living with a spinal cord injury, Joel reflects on the challenges of transitioning into a new workplace, shares his personal journey of navigating these obstacles and offers some practical tips for anyone stepping into a new role. Read Joel's story here: https://lnkd.in/gZKhFJVP