Disability Peer Support comes to the Greater Bendigo Region

LEARNING to live with a new disability can be enormously challenging. Mandy McCracken knows this all too well.

After having both her hands and feet amputated when she was only 39, due to sepsis, Mandy had to learn a whole new way of life.

Not only did she have to come to terms with living as an amputee, she needed to navigate the incredibly complex world of disability supports, funding and home modifications.

After returning home from hospital Mandy was desperate to chat to someone who lived locally to find the answers, but unfortunately no one was out there.

So, she created Get Started Disability Support Australia, a charity that supports those newly navigating life with a disability or chronic health condition.

Running weekly for 6 weeks at the Bendigo Library, the free workshop series begins on Wednesday 25th of March at 11am to 1pm. Topics include finding funding, connecting to locally based supports, through to how to get your house modified. Also getting back to work and travel, plus how planning for an emergency when you live with extra complications. Finally, the impact major life changes can have on relationships.

With lunch provided, it is a great chance for locals to connect with others living with similar situations.

“The peer support is what was really missing for me.” Mandy says. “If only I had someone who knew how confusing this can be, then together we could have worked it all out. That’s what we are aiming to bring to the Greater Bendigo community.”

Supported by Greater Bendigo Council, Mable Community Grants and the NDIA, the workshops are free to anyone who has a connection to disability or chronic health conditions and those that support them

The series begins Wednesday 25th March. 11am to 1pm.

Bendigo Library, 259 Hargreaves St, Bendigo.

For more information go to getstarteddisability.org.au/register or call Mandy on 0411 130 577.

//SPONSORED CONTENT