Adjusting to a totally different life after becoming tetraplegic in a minesite accident was hard enough for 50 year old Robert, but one of the cruellest parts of his changed circumstances was being stuck at home looking at four walls because the family don’t have a modified car to take his electric wheelchair. That’s meant regular doctor appointments have been a logistical nightmare, not to mention just having time out with the family. But all that is about to radically change next week when Robert and wife Lorraine are handed the keys to a fully modified vehicle by the Wheels for Hope organisation at the Westcare Every 1 Counts Breakfast on Dec 2nd.

Westcare sponsors IDoPWD

Robert and Lorraine and another Perth family will be among the good news stories at the annual breakfast in support of the International day of disability. The event will showcase an array of inspiring speakers and stories to do with disability, including Olympic swimmer Todd Pearson as well as Frank Surgenor, the founder of the not for profit association Ride Aid. And this year the organisers are making available 130 free tickets to people with a disability and their families/carers to come and join in the event.

Wheels for Hope

Wheels for Hope, which is part of the Western Australian Motor Vehicle Foundation, currently has 22 fully equipped commuter vehicles on the road and will also present young WA parents Erin and Dom and their 2 youngsters with a car that will change their lives for the better. Erin and Dom’s two year old son Falcon has severe disabilities that require them to travel a 70 km round trip for therapy every few days. With Dom needing the car for work Erin battles to make the journey on public transport with both Falcon and five year old daughter Savannah.

Robyn Coleman, director of development at Wheels for Hope, has been involved in the disability sector for the last 15 years but is still shocked at how basic needs such as transport are often out of reach for individuals and families. “What frustrates me is that these people, who are coping with much higher rates of physical, financial and emotional stress than the rest of us are missing out on one of the most basic needs in our society –mobility, which is also key to independence. Aside from all the doctor appointments and everyday trips, it’s the basic ability to get to work as well as the opportunity to just get in the car and get a change of scenery and mood when you need it most that’s denied to them. Changing that for people gives all of us at the organisation immense satisfaction”.

The Westcare Breakfast will be held on :

Fri 2^nd December

Astral Ballroom, Burswood

7.30 – 9.30

Free tickets for people with disability

Lotterywest have funded free tickets to enable people with a disability plus 1 carer to attend at no cost.

Register Now

Please contact Krystie on 08 9245 6575 or email: events@partnerandprosper.com.au

Purchase Tickets

Or to purchase a ticket or table please register online at www.westcare.com.au

Interview Robyn Coleman

To interview Robyn Coleman or any of the families mentioned please contact Robyn directly on 9453 7909 | M: 0448 158 946 | E: rcoleman@wheelsforhope.org.au

About Westcare

Westcare Incorporated is a not-for-profit organisation, providing quality employment, training and accommodation for people with a disability for over 63 years. Westcare Industries provides a wide range of employment and training in printing, cardboard box making, industrial packaging, food packaging and safety goods manufacturing. Westcare Accommodation Services is committed to supporting and training working age people with a disability to enable them to live in a setting of their choice, either independently in the community or at a village.