Community connections reaping rewards
The Jacana Acquired Brain Injury Centre has developed mutually beneficial ties with local students.
A growing friendship between Brisbane schoolchildren and people with a disability has hit the wall - in the best possible way.
Students at Bracken Ridge State High School and Norris Road State School have created a colourful, feel-good mural for Bracken Ridge's Jacana Acquired Brain Injury Centre.
The mural took eight months to make and includes images of people in wheelchairs at famous landmarks around the world.
Jacana Centre's Director of Nursing Nancy Magazinovic says the mural project is an innovative way of involving local youth with the centre's residents and creating a formal and lasting partnership in the community.
Richard Rushbrook (front left) and the Minister for Health Stephen Robertson (centre, back row) with students from Norris Road State School.
"The project helps to educate these young people about acquired brain injury and, in doing so, prevent risk-taking behaviours and other actions that could result in them acquiring a brain injury," Ms Magazinovic says.
Part of the Prince Charles Hospital Health Service District, the Jacana Centre is a residential and rehabilitation service supporting people living with an acquired brain injury. Residents acquired their brain injury through traffic accidents, drug and alcohol misuse and a variety of other causes.
Jacana resident Richard Rushbrook helped design the concept for the mural.
"This mural is great and helps brighten up the centre," he says.
"It is good to see the kids getting out and doing something positive in the community."
The students presented the mural to the Minister for Health Stephen Robertson who accepted it on behalf of Jacana residents last year.
The mural is one of a number of initiatives being undertaken by the Jacana Centre and local schools.
Bracken Ridge State High School students are set to become regular visitors at the centre, with art and drama students planning to entertain the residents early this year.
"This mural is great and helps brighten up the centre. It is good to see the kids getting out and doing something positive in the community."
Jacana Centre representatives are also visiting local schools. They recently spoke with Norris Road State School students about the causes of acquired brain injury, its effects and prevention strategies such as wearing a helmet when riding a bike.
Plans are also underway for Jacana Centre residents to visit Bracken Ridge State High School year 12 students as part of a traffic accident prevention initiative.
For more information visit: The Brain Injury Association of Queensland at braininjury.org.au
Last updated July 2008