Generous donation changes young people’s lives
17 August 2011
The lives of five Karingal residents with disabilities has been made more comfortable after the people from Mercy Place Rice Village in Marshalltown donated more than $7000 for a versatile shower chair.
The $11,000 specialised chair has unique functions allowing battery operated height and reclining adjustment as well as making assisted showering and other hygiene routines not only safer but more comfortable. It also raises efficiency of care and reduces the risk of back injuries to carers.
The retirement village residents raised the money through direct donations from residents, family and friends. The balance of the cost for the chair was met by Karingal.
Mr Bill Humphreys, a resident of Rice Village, organised the appeal to purchase the chair for young adults with disabilities who have moved out of aged care nursing homes to their new home at Karroong, a supported residence for young people with high level needs opened by Karingal in 2010.
Bill, aged in his early eighties, was inspired to organise this second appeal after raising more than $3600 for an exercise and massage table for Karingal last year.
“We wanted to do something to help these young adults with disabilities who are moving out of nursing homes,” said Bill.
“Many of the residents at Rice Village have first-hand knowledge of young people being confined in aged care facilities and wanted to get behind this initiative in helping Karingal in any way they could.”
Jacqui Pierce, Karingal Manager ARCsupport said: “The residents of Rice Village are inspiring, looking beyond their own needs to assist young adults with disabilities. Bill even went to the trouble of organising two AFL jumpers, Collingwood and Geelong, which were auctioned off adding even more money to the appeal.”