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Serendipity brought both Noel Clarke and Michael Taylor a friend who could help with adjusting to life with a spinal cord injury when they most needed the support.
Those friendships have inspired the establishment of a central Victorian spinal cord injury support network.
“We believe this will be a great opportunity for those in the community to experience opportunities and form communications and friendships through alternative support channels,” Mr Clarke said.
The Foundation 97 director said his chance encounter with Mr Taylor on a White Hills street about seven years ago made his life easier.
Mr Clarke was “just out pushing around, having a bit of exercise,” when he met Mr Taylor, who had been in a wheelchair for five or six years. Mr Clarke had sustained his injury relatively recently.
He said speaking to someone who knew what he was going through, and could share advice, made it easier to adjust.
Knowing how it felt to have a friend who could provide that support was part of the reason Mr Taylor stopped to chat.
“I was taking my daughter to school and I rode past Noel,” Mr Taylor said.
“I just thought I’d introduce myself and say hello.”
He had made a friend who was critical to his journey while he was in hospital, just after sustaining his injury, in 2003.
The man with whom Mr Taylor shared the room also had a spinal cord injury, and was about his age.
“He was understanding and upfront with information,” Mr Taylor said.
“I’d just ask him if something came to mind.
“It’s so hard to describe how valuable that was.”
Four support network meetings are scheduled for next month, starting on February 1 at Bendigo Stadium from 11.30am to 1pm.
Two of the meetings are scheduled for evenings, and two during the day.
The next session is on February 6 at Kangaroo Flat RSL, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
The third session is on February 15 at The Wellington from 11.30am to 1pm, and the fourth on February 27 at the All Seasons hotel from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Mr Clarke was hopeful there would be sufficient interest for further sessions.
Participation in the spinal cord injury support network is free, with people able to purchase a meal at the venue if they so wish.
Carers, friends and family are welcome to attend.
The meetings are supported by GMHBA and the Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre.
Foundation 97 and Coloplast ANZ have also organised an information session about the National Disability Insurance Scheme, or NDIS, for February 22 at Bendigo Stadium.
The session runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
For more information about either the spinal cord injury support network or the NDIS information session, phone Foundation 97 on 0417 895 166 or email admin@foundation97.com.au.