Getting involved with Limbkids
The Make-Neste kids, Amelia (7), Maddie (5) and Ethan (3).
For Mark and Cindy Make-Neste, becoming a part of Limbkids has brought much more than access to information and encouragement; it's opened a whole new world of personal and professional learning.
Limbkids Support Association is a non- profit, voluntary organisation based on the Gold Coast. The association's membership comprises parents, professionals and other supporters concerned with the care of children who have congenital or acquired limb differences.
"Our reason for getting in touch with Limbkids eight years ago was our daughter, Amelia, who was born without her right hand," said Mark.
"Our first contact with the organisation left such a positive and lasting impression - they seemed to know exactly what to say - that we knew we had to become more involved." During the past two years both Cindy and Mark have done just that, taking on the roles of secretary and president respectively.
"The personal benefits of being involved just can't be measured and the life-long learning experiences are something you would never be able to gain on your own," said Cindy.
"We've met new people and made new friends, developed a range of skills and had the satisfaction of contributing to the local community in a meaningful way." Mark said the association's services include telephone counselling, hospital visits, a quarterly newsletter, regular meetings and social outings, a video and book library and modified musical instrument hire.
"Most importantly we provide new parents with opportunities to meet other families affected by similar birth defects - we've been in the same situation so we know how important that kind of support is," said Mark.
Both Mark and Cindy said the initial reaction of parents to the birth of a child with a limb difference can be one of extreme sadness and loss, particularly after the excitement and anticipation of a pregnancy in which all seemed to have gone well. "Organisations like Limbkids bring out the best in people - the strength of community support is really heartening," said Mark.
For more information visit the Limb Kids website at www.limbkids.asn.au or phone (07) 5533 9754.
Vibrant community organisations vital
The Queensland Government has launched the Strengthening Non- Government Organisations project to look at ways to support community organisations and ensure they remain a strong and vibrant force in the state's human services sector. The project, which will consider the challenges faced by community organisations, is being undertaken on behalf of Disability Services Queensland and the Department of Communities. It has a reference group of community and government representatives and is overseen by an inter-departmental steering committee.
For more information, phone project director, Michael Lockwood, from the Department of Communities on 3405 6724.Last updated November 2007