Our team of volunteer Peer Mentors connect with people in rehab and hospital environments, as well as in the community. By sharing their knowledge and lived experience our Peer Mentors help people transition back into community life, and overcome challenges and reach goals when they get there. If you want to have a chat with any of our Peer Mentors, give us a call on 9489 0777.
I’m Hassan, and I’ve got a C5 complete SCI. I’ve worked in many fields before I started my own nonprofit organisation called Independence Care.
I enjoy working full time as well as some weekends. I specialise in helping individuals with disability travel to 22 countries around the world. I gained this experience from my own experiences in travelling around the world. I am married and I recently became a father for my first baby boy.
I was diagnosed with a tumour on my spinal cord in November 2020. A subsequent medical procedure resulted in a T8-10 incomplete SCI.
While in rehab at Monash Clayton, I didn’t have access to any peer support, but my Spinal Rehab Specialist Peter New strongly encouraged me to get in touch with AQA.
Since connecting with AQA, I haven’t looked back. I’ve learnt so much from others with lived experience which has been a big inspiration. I left rehab feeling underprepared, but now I recognise you can still have a wonderful, exciting life. I enjoy trying extreme sports such as wakeboarding and indoor skydiving. This year I’m looking forward to trying wheelchair basketball, AFL and travelling overseas for the first time to celebrate my 50th birthday.
I was diagnosed at birth with spina bifida and was determined not to allow my disability to impact my personal life experiences, sports and career aspirations.
I am married with a 25-year-old son, we have a ski boat and enjoy our holidays in Mildura on the Murray River. I have pretty much spent my entire working life in the automotive industry in sales and marketing roles. I joined Mobility Plus Wheelchairs 10 years ago where I prescribe custom manual and sports wheelchairs. This role is very satisfying meeting people with varying disabilities and helping them to engage in social, sporting and career opportunities. Sports are important to me; I am currently playing wheelchair tennis and badminton and was also a player and coach for the Collingwood AFL team. I have made many friendships through my involvement in sport..
I incurred a C5/6 spinal cord injury in a water skiing accident aged 20, in 1987. After seven months rehab in the Austin Hospital I returned to my family home.
In 1988 I started back at work in an admin role part time before building to full time. I have worked in various roles both in government and private industry over 33 years, before I retired in July 2022. I currently live in my own apartment with my partner and volunteer in various roles. I use a power wheelchair, and enjoy travel, sports and socialising.
I was involved in a car accident at the age of 18. After two years of rehab living at home with family in country Victoria, I decided to move to Melbourne.
I then got involved in wheelchair rugby, which eventually led to me representing my country at the London, Rio & Tokyo Paralympic Games. I work with AQA as a Peer Support Coordinator, which I have been fortunate to be a part of since 2017.
I enjoy keeping fit, mentoring, wheelchair dancing, swimming, table tennis, yoga classes, meditation and social activities. I have travelled overseas once, and it was a great experience.
I’m regularly involved in a women’s group and regional networking activities. I live at home alone and I have my grandson come over some weekends. We have a great time together going out to the park or the beach.
I have lived with a severe disability for 37 years. I am the first person in Australia to finish primary school, high school and complete a university degree with such a severe disability.
I have been on a game show, travelled to South Africa and recorded a documentary to inspire people with disabilities to reach for their goals. I am a primary school teacher, a public speaker, a mentor at the Talbot, the Austin Hospital, and the Alfred. I’m always up for a chat. My mantra is if you don’t communicate, nothing can be progressed.
I was involved in a car accident at 16. It was a big learning curve as I had to come to Melbourne for treatment and care after living in a country town in NSW, and I had spinal injury!
After many months in hospital and then rehabilitation, I commenced working in an office and continued working in an administration role for both the community sector and local government. I have always enjoyed being busy and involved in the community.
I was a member of Junior Chamber International JCI for many years. JCI “empowers people to make a difference in the world”. As a member, it gave me skills and confidence to take on JCI projects and leadership roles. I am a member of Dance & Roll and I love this program for fitness, fun and friendships! I am an AQA volunteer and I have recently worked in the AQA office. AQA is an amazing organisation and have been a great support to me.
Retired but previously worked as an academic and in policy roles (Multicultural Affairs and Aboriginal Affairs) for the Victorian Government. Keen to return to international travel.
My Injury was the result of a diving accident off Dromana pier. It was sheer luck that I was transported to the Austin Hospital spinal unit, as it was pioneering a new and unique approach to
the treatmentof SCI in Australia. My initial treatment was rather radical and rehab was hard and thorough.
Fortunately upon completion I was able to stand and progressed to tentative walking. I continued to be active enough to return to most of my past interests and hobbies ie fishing, shooting, photography, general outdoor activities and enjoying interstate touring holidays with my wife.
My work life was all over the place due to limited physicality. I briefly worked in the auto repair industry, but most of my life was in sales, including 15 years at A.M.P selling insurance. I was with AQA in the mid 80s to early 90s with great love and satisfaction. I use three modes of transportation: walking sticks, wheelchair and mobility scooter. I became involved as a Peer Support volunteer from inception and look forward to being involved with whoever I can help in the future.
My spinal injury was caused by a stroke within the spinal cord as a result of having Lupus (SLE) with Antiphospholipid Syndrome.
I live with my husband Andrew and my two furry babies, Penny and Candy. Being amongst family and friends is important to me so I make it a priority to see them as often as I can. I also enjoy travelling to regional parts of Victoria as part of working at AQA as a Community Engagement and Networks Coordinator.
I am a complete C5 quadriplegic since a motor vehicle accident in 2001. Somewhat ironically I was working on the surgery unit at the Austin hospital when I had my
accident, so I went from health provider to recipient very quickly, and consequently I have had a unique look at both sides of spinal cord injury. In the intervening 20 years I have returned to full-time work, do a bit of peer mentoring, direct a research Institute and try and hang out as much as possible with my friends and extremely large Indian family.
At 71 years old, I’m the oldest person in THE WORLD to compete at this elite level of Para Badminton. Before my accident I owned and ran a boutique computer
company for the manufacturing and service industries. An active Freemason Grand Lodge officer. Works with Dept of Justice and Road Safety Commissioner. Was President of Ability Para Badminton Club for 5 years. Represented Australia in three World Para Badminton Games.
My spinal injury was a result of a pushbike accident in Adelaide in 2004. I was 19 at the time, and spent a few weeks in hospital over there, before being transported to
Melbourne and undergoing rehab at The Royal Talbot.
I enjoy spending time with my family, including my young nieces and nephews. I have made a concerted effort to continue to stay active in a lot of the hobbies and interests I had prior to my accident in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and overall good mental health. I still enjoy going out and catching up with friends. I have been very fortunate to represent Australia in wheelchair rugby.
In 1999, I experienced a life-changing event involving a road traffic accident that left me with an incomplete spinal injury. This incident profoundly impacted my life, leading me to make significant changes in various aspects of my life,
including my family and social circles.
Before the accident, my profession was in software development, a career I had invested considerable time and effort into. However, the accident forced me to reevaluate my life goals and priorities. I decided to switch careers and pursue a path in accountancy. This transition required me to adapt to a new field and learn new skills, which was undoubtedly challenging, but it was a necessary step for my well-being and prospects.
In the wake of my injury, my primary focus shifted towards my health and overall well-being. I recognized the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and engaging in activities that promote physical and mental wellness. To this end, I have incorporated regular swimming sessions into my routine, aiming to swim at least three days a week. Additionally, I have taken to the outdoors, where I enjoy riding my sports chair along the Dandenong East Link trail. These activities provide me with physical exercise and a sense of freedom and connection to nature.
On days when I’m not pursuing my outdoor activities or working in my new career, I find fulfilment in volunteering. Volunteering allows me to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of others. It also gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction, helping me focus on the positive aspects of life.
Throughout my journey, I have learned that staying active and engaged is crucial to overcoming the challenges posed by my disability. By keeping myself busy with various activities and interests, I have found a key to coping with my disability issues. This approach has improved my physical and mental health and allowed me to embrace life with a renewed sense of purpose and resilience.
I contracted a staph infection at 60, and after six months of surgeries/antibiotics/rehab I returned home to commence the long battle to regain employment as an engineer and recover
some mobility. With mentor guidance I eventually negotiated a return to work, retiring at 65 to do some caravanning. Initially I was full time in my wheelchair but I am now able to walk (unsteadily) for limited periods using a variety of aids before fatigue stops me.
My electric golf buggy gets me right up to the ball, although I can’t hit far (or straight). Using just a walking stick I get around field archery bush tracks too rough for my wheelchair, although I am not very steady when I take a shot. I also volunteer for Sailability, a group that organises adaptive sailing sessions. In bad weather I stay in my well-equipped air conditioned woodworking workshop. Life is good.
I was involved in a bicycle accident in 2019. I took a while to link in with the SCI community, but now I feel like I have found my people and have made some great friends.
I enjoy working for AQA as the Community Engagement Coordinator and am always up for a chat.
I was involved in a bus accident at the age of 42. After four years of rehab living at home with my family I moved to my current home. Over the years I have tried sit-skiing,
scuba diving and canoeing and loved every minute of it. I worked for over a decade with Austin Health as the Peer Support Worker, and more recently work for AQA running skill and capacity building programs.
I am a passionate and energetic person – I regularly ride my handcycle, and compete in races. I also work as a personal trainer, aiming to help others with a physical disability build strength and fitness.
I became a quadriplegic and sustained a spinal cord injury in 1990 after diving into shallow water and breaking my neck. I have played Wheelchair Rugby
for Australia and taken part in 5 Paralympic Games (Sydney 2000; Athens 2004; Beijing 2008;
London 2012; Rio 2016), winning 2 gold and 2 silver medals. I have competed in 3 Targa Tasmania Rally events and was the first quadriplegic to paraglide solo .
I have worked intensively in the area of peer support with people with spinal cord injuries, motivating and encouraging those to reach their potential.
I enjoy driving and like going to car shows. I have been playing wheelchair rugby for the last 13 years and have been to 3 Paralympics.
In October 2018, my left leg was sore and painful after playing badminton. About one week later the pain went up to my lower back. I went to emergency and then stayed three months at
the hospital before I was sent to Caulfield Rehab hospital for another three months.
In Caulfield Rehab I met Thelma, an AQA Peer Mentor who inspired me and helped me in finding my own way to accepting and managing the change of my condition. I started playing wheelchair badminton in 2023, and I’m interested in wheelchair pickleball and wheelchair table tennis. I started my home automation project in 2018 with my garage door and a few light switches. Now, my home automation has grown a lot. I have integrated the following devices or systems: 3D printer, ceiling fan, motorised blind, garage door, light switch, wall power socket, Solar PV system, motion sensor and temperature sensor, CCTV camera system and heating/cooling system. And it is still growing.
I sustained my injury on a bike trail just before the Covid pandemic. I spent my first few years at my parents’ house
focusing heavily on therapies in the initial stages of my recovery. More recently, I’ve taken up oil painting as a hobby and am working towards my first exhibition. Now I live with my fiancé, Maddie in our own home.
AQA acknowledges that we live and work on lands stolen from the oldest continuous culture on earth. While our office is on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, we live and work on First Nations lands across Victoria. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded, and that this was, and always will be, Aboriginal land. We pay our deepest respect to Elders past and present, and we thank them for holding wisdom and caring for country. We also acknowledge that AQA’s work of building a more caring and inclusive society - where everyone has the resources they need to live well - follows in the footsteps of a long and ongoing struggle of First Nations peoples across the continent to be afforded the self determination, respect and resources they need to live well.
Disability doesn’t discriminate, so our community is as diverse as the richly diverse culture we exist in. Having the fullest version of ourselves on display, seen and appreciated, is a fundamental aspect of living a full and meaningful life. It is also the foundation from which the full benefit of our capacity building and empowering supports are accessed. Recognising this, we have developed an organisational culture where diversity is not just thoughtfully and respectfully accommodated, but truly celebrated - be it ethnicity, religion, ability, age, gender, sexuality or gender identity.
© Copyright 2022 AQA. All rights reserved.