Whats in our December 2023 Issue?
The PPV AGM is a meeting to look over our achievements and elect a new committee for the coming year. Our annual report is also hot off the press in time for the meeting. There’s been plenty of discussions, updates and where to from here.
Read the AGM report here PPV AGM 2022 2023
Links below inclusive to AGM Report for 2022 – 2023
AAG – Recognition at last- People ageing with Post-Polio Syndrome
Aged Care Reform Implementation 15 Dec 2022pdf
PPV Submission to Disability Inclusion Bill Exposure 29_10_22
Submission Assistive Technology & Home Mod Scheme PPV
Today is our last day of voting for the Focus On Ability Short Film Festival, our short film ‘LIVES WELL LIVED’
Click on our 5 minute short film below and VOTE NOW!
*1 vote per person, make yours count!
Recognition at Last
Inclusive Communities and Services for
People Ageing with Post-Polio Syndrome
On 22nd November 2022, The Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) partnered with Post Polio Victoria and Celebrate Ageing Ltd to facilitate a workshop on the experiences and needs of people ageing with
Post Polio Syndrome (PPS). The workshop at the AAG annual conference in Adelaide explored:
• The experiences of polio survivors
• The perspectives of researchers and clinicians
• The views of aged care service providers.
The workshop included a paper on the unique experiences and needs of people ageing with PPS and suggestions for inclusive services and communities. The development of the paper, which will be led by AAG, is expected to influence change – Recognition at Last.
The voices of people ageing with PPS have not been heard. Planning for communities and services has not taken the needs of people ageing with PPS into account. This is the first national workshop calling for that to change – and we would value your support.
Please find below our shared stories:
PPV President: Shirley Glance OAM
PPV Vice President: Peter Freckleton
PPV Secretary: Robyn Abrahams
The Hon Kim Beazley AC
For more information
• Shirley Glance OAM President Post Polio Victoria: 0411 660 860
• Dr Catherine Barrett, Director Celebrate Ageing Ltd: 0429 582 237
Workshop Link: Polio (aagconference.asn.au)
https://www.mandurahmail.com.au/story/7990945/polio-crusaders-set-sights-on-ndis/?cs=289
President: Shirley Glance OAM
Vice President: Peter Freckleton
Secretary: Robyn Abrahams
https://www.mandurahmail.com.au/story/7990945/polio-crusaders-set-sights-on-ndis/?cs=289
Dear PPV Member and Friends
Notice of PPV Annual General Meeting 2022
We are pleased to confirm the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Post Polio Victoria (PPV) will be held on Monday 5th December 2022. The meeting will commence at 11am (AEDT)
Documents sent via email:
2022 AGM Agenda
2022 AGM DRAFT Minutes Nov 21
2022 Nomination Form
2022 Proxy Form
Register to attend the AGM – Bookings start Monday 21st Nov 2022 at 9am
Due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, the AGM will be conducted via Zoom (virtual room).
The PPV AGM is a special annual meeting to look over our achievements and elect a new committee for the coming year. Our annual report is also hot off the press in time for the meeting. There’s been plenty of discussions going on and exciting new projects to take us into 2023.
We look forward to seeing you there, and to another successful year for PPV!
REGISTRATION COMMENCES Monday 21st Nov:
Click below link to register for AGM
https://www.trybooking.com/CEIAV
Thank you
Shirley Glance OAM
President
Post Polio Victoria Inc.
T: 0431 702 137
At the AAG Convention Tuesday 22nd Nov 2022
PPV are proud to share 3 Life stories of living with Polio
President: Shilrey Glance (OAM)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byUsxdx8oeA
Vice President: Peter Freckleton
Secretary: Robyn Abrahams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hdqCSFjH88
#polio has been an overwhelming experience.
#AAGConf22, Australian Association of Gerentoloy, CelebrateAgend and Post Post Polio Victoria
Class Action – STOP AGE LIMIT TO NDIS
PPV has been told that a class action is being considered to end the NDIS ban against people with disabilities over 65 yo. An information webpage is at https://www.mitry.com.au/ndis where you can download an expression of interest if you wish to participate.
For further information there will be a virtual “Town Meeting” at 11 AM, Wednesday 21/09.
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82167694096?pwd=bjhyZmJyMDlMSlUwTFJKSVd6V25WZz09
PPV has no involvement in this matter, and makes no recommendations, merely passing on this news item in case it may be of interest.
Please click on the link below to access the full article
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-22/us-reports-first-polio-case-in-nearly-a-decade/101262580
Open letter to all parties and candidates contesting the Federal Election in 2022
Leave no Australian behind in disasters and emergencies
31 March 2022
Australians with disability experienced first-hand significant impacts and disproportionate risks to their safety and wellbeing during the recent 2022 floods in South East Queensland and New South Wales. This is alongside the multiple disaster events of bushfires, droughts, cyclones, and the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot continue to underestimate the significant and long-term effects
of these events for people with disability and carers.
It is time to take action and invest in a national approach for the future. We need to ensure that Australians with disability are included and represented across all levels of policy, practice and research
Open letter to all parties and candidates contesting the Federal Election in 2022. Leave no Australian behind in disasters and emergencies
31 March 2022 Australians with disability experienced first-hand significant impacts and disproportionate risks to their safety and wellbeing during the recent 2022 floods in South East Queensland and New South Wales. This is alongside the multiple disaster events of bushfires, droughts, cyclones, and the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot continue to underestimate the significant and long-term effects
of these events for people with disability and carers.
It is time to take action and invest in a national approach for the future. We need to ensure that Australians with disability are included and represented across all levels of policy, practice and research
Pleaser click on the link below for the full report
President Shirley Glance OAM and Secretary Robyn Abrahams were interviewed by SBS
– article link below.
Both Shirley and Robyn also appeared on SBS News evening of the 30/1/2022
– video on the PPV FB site.
Esther missed out on the polio vaccine. Her children won’t miss their COVID jabs
30 January 2022
SBS
Polio survivors in Australia share their views on the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19, particularly as schools prepare to welcome children back.
Representing Polio Survivors throughout Australia
FACE-TO-FACE TREATMENTS FOR PEOPLE WITH LATE EFFECTS OF POLIO
Position Paper – Please click on the link below to access the full report
Polio Australia Position Paper – ongoing services during COVID lockdowns
Please click on link below to access Barbary Clarke’s full Annual Report
Please see below audio from Shirley Glance’s interview with Gaytana from Southern FM – Sounds of Bayside. This was recorded on Tuesday 29th June at 10am on Gaytana’s show, Best Medicine.
Please see below link about phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. To check your eligibility and find your local service, use the eligibility checker or consult your GP or Specialist:
The role of the treasurer is to be responsible for the financial oversight of Post Polio Victoria Inc, ensuring good governance for the continuation of Post Polio Victoria’s work advocating for the needs of people with polio. The role involves approximately 1 hour per fortnight as well as attending committee meetings, and is supported by other committee members as well as by the Administration Assistant.
· Accurate receipting and banking of money
· Payment of accounts
· Maintain accurate records of income and expenditure
· Ensuring that all receipts and payments concur with bank deposits and withdrawals
· Present financial reports at committee meetings and Annual General Meetings
Please contact the PPV Committee at info@nullpostpoliovictoria.org.au if you are interested in the role.
Post Polio Victoria committee member and long-time disability rights activist Margaret Cooper passed away on the 27th of October 2018.
Margaret was both an activist and a scholar. We have compiled some works by Margaret on the Disability Rights Movement, polio and ageing along with articles about Margaret’s life and work. Plans are also being made to include Margaret’s archives and documentation of the disability rights movement in the University of Melbourne’s Geoff Bell archive.
Below we share tributes for Margaret from her friends and colleagues in the disability rights and feminist movements.
I accompanied Margaret on one of her “pollie stirring” raids. As we left MP Russell Broadbent’s office I enquired if there was a cafe handy to get a coffee and sandwich.
At the doorway to the cafe was 150mm step, this was a barrier to Margaret’s wheel chair. We asked if we could have a table outside, but no, their food handling license didn’t allow anything so sensible. We had to make do with balancing our coffee cups on our laps. This was very difficult for Margaret who needed a longer straw. The waitress obligingly joined two small straws together to make one long straw but the creamer failed to flow up the now long straw. All this while we sat out on the footpath like lepers.
The politicians secretary who had directed us to the cafe happened to walk past. I pointed out the situation. He was very embarrassed and apologised. He had not given it a thought. People just don’t think. Architects, shop owners, local government, politicians just don’t think.
These embarrassing, frustrating situations would have happened to Margaret on an hourly basis and yet she just pressed on. Despite these regular frustrations she achieved an amazing amount of work for people with disabilities and in particular with polio. Her research and advocacy has benefited us all and will remain a wonderful legacy.
I think of Margaret on a regular basis, without her knowing, and will continue to. When ever I am particularly tired or I trip and fall heavily over some small thing or I am confronted with a flight of stairs, I think of how much Margaret achieved with her limited mobility and how she would have liked to be as able as me.
By coincidence I read this horoscope for the star sign Scorpio by Kelly Fox.
Forgive those who judge you because of your image, your appearance, your social status or anything else. They will learn. Be proud of your identity this week. Remember you are someone’s role model.
The Bayside Polio Group, a wide range of other groups and the thousands she has cheered though life have much to thank Margaret for. It is likely that Margaret will be mostly remembered for her systemic advocacy for a more inclusive and caring world.
We first chatted after a ParaQuad meeting. I was dwelling upon the meaning of the meeting just past.
‘What’s your story?’ I felt Margaret’s zest for life and change. That was the way most of us met Margaret. In as few words a possible I bio’ed the good bits of my history and encapsulated my path of the late effects of polio. Her warmth and smile exuded a welcoming that is still with me to this day.
‘I feel for you. You thought your polio was all over, all done and now you are going to face it all again. I was so lucky, polio has been with me all my life.’
Yet, when we think of Margaret, we do not think of polio or of disability; we think of those one on one quips that left us wiser and feeling good.
Years ago, Margaret was organising a cruise with her father. I asked her why she needed three carers.
She smiled knowingly.
‘One is going to fall in love and become heart broken.
Another is going to go out in sympathy and get drunk.
I am hoping that at least one will be sober enough to help get me to bed.’
Farewell Margaret and thank you.
Margaret was a founding member and first elected president of Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA). WWDA’s obituary for Margaret can be read here, they will also be organising a public memorial for Margaret early in 2019, we will update our events page with details as they are available.
As a disability activist/advocate, I have benefitted greatly from the work of Dr Margaret Cooper. Margaret understood so well the compounding nature of disadvantage and was able to articulate how the intersectionality of gender and disability can affect the lives and opportunities of a significant segment of the community. Her insistence that the voices of women with disabilities are heard and that the gender specific issues, such as our right to live free from violence and maintain our ownership of our reproductive rights are on the agenda, has changed the power dynamics. I wish to acknowledge that her work informs my work, and I thank her for paving the way, so that I can continue to work effectively.
I was greatly saddened to hear the news of Margaret Cooper’s death, which came at at time when Margaret was working with us to develop a research collaboration to address the needs of those who have had polio. Margaret was a much respected advocate in our disability community, and was a great repository of history and wisdom. Her death will impact many.
Margaret Cooper was one of the great pioneers of disability rights. She worked tirelessly for access and inclusion. Margaret was an inspiration to me and to many others and she will be greatly missed.
