The third Shepparton SCI Regional Network meeting was held on Wednesday, 2nd November, again, at The Peppermill Inn Hotel.
There were lively discussions about a diverse range of topics and some great ideas and plans for the group's future.
Twenty-one participants attended this month's meeting, including many partners. With new members joining each month, the pool of knowledge and resources within the group is growing.
A special guest for the day was Spire Team Leader and 5 time Paralympian, Naz Erdem, who discussed his experiences, challenges and achievements and treated the group to an up close look at his gold medal from Rio.
The Shepparton News have run a story about the network and Naz's visit which will hopefully increase awareness about the group and SCI issues and attract even more members.
The group took part in a workshop delivered by Brenda from 2B Fit who provided free elastic exercise bands and took the group through several shoulder exercises.
Other topics discussed by the group included their experiences of everyday living as well as mobile apps such as Parking Mobility, MedicineList+ and Emergency+ which they have found useful in the past.
The group's ideas for the future include making a master list of local service providers, tradespeople and businesses which they have used along with a list of accessible and inaccessible places like shops, accommodation and attractions. Matt also suggested designing and launching a website that would provide the Shepparton group's members with an online space for blogging and discussion.
Future topics the group would like explore include financial planning, legal advice and occupational therapy as well as raising awareness and advocating for better accessibility and inclusion in the local community.
The group set a short term calendar for the months ahead. No meeting to be held in January.
The next meeting after December will be held on February 1, 2017 at Sue's place in Tatura.
For more information, or to join the Shepparton Regional SCI Network, contact Spire on (03) 9489 0777.
by Friday, December 9, 2017.