Cérge

I have osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones) which can make it hard for me with exercising. My bones can break easily and I can be in a lot of pain. Swimming and low impact are really the best choices for me. I use a wheelchair and would need assistance getting in and out of the pool. My carer and I visited Eltham Leisure Centre We used the Cérge app to let the staff know we were arriving in an hour and that we were looking at the pool and would like a tour of the facilities. I wanted to see if I felt comfortable before promising to swim. It’s been a while since I got in a pool, so I had a little anxiety. With the new Cèrge app where I was able to notify staff at Eltham Leisure Centre that we were coming before we got there. This will be helpful in the future as I can request a quieter place, a separate lane if possible and assistance. Sometimes the thought of getting to a place and not having supportive staff is a barrier in itself. I have my support worker which is fantastic, and she is great but having staff that don’t really know how to help can be very awkward. I’m glad I can use the app to tell the staff exactly what I need. It takes the weirdness out of watching them work out how to help, whether to help or sometimes people just don’t help. Can you imagine dropping a leaflet and no one helps you pick it up? It’s embarrassing and annoying! When we arrived, the staff were happy and helpful, we were greeted at the front and the staff member organised another lady to give us a tour of the centre. They have 4 pools, Baby, Small heated pool for swimming lessons, Hydrotherapy pool (has a ramp), and a 25m lap pool (has a ramp). All at different temperatures. Toilet and changerooms on pool deck which is very handy. They had an Aqua class going at the time we went, and it was full even being so early. It is great to see the place getting used and lots happening. The staff member gave us a leaflet which had all the timetables for all the classes, and she also put all the prices on the leaflet for me. Of course, after all exercise there is a coffee shopping. Perfect end to the day! The Cérge app is a fantastic tool to be able to ask for specific things, we know now we can ask for a quieter space or lane if we need that on the day or to let them know we are coming but that we are ok. I will be looking out for more Cèrge facilities. Please tell them your needs before you get there which is very useful and makes you feel a lot more comfortable getting out and trying new things.

When people don’t try and communicate and can’t be bothered it makes me feel uncomfortable, unimportant and small. Just because I can’t hear doesn’t mean I should be treated differently.  Today I arrived at Huntly Aquatic using the Cérge App. I am a Deaf woman and communicate via sign and lip reading mostly. I often have communication struggles and a lot of people do not use sign language or it takes them a while to realise I am Deaf and that I need to communicate differently than what they may have assumed.  However today, at Huntly Aquatic I was greeted by two staff members who were very pleasant and kind. I will be honest I was nervous because I wasn’t sure what it would be like or if there would be a communication breakdown. I had put my information into the app so I knew they were aware which I think helped both sides prepare.  When I arrived we spoke together for about 5 mins, we used a range of gestures, writing and typing on the phone which is fine. I liked that they were enthusiastic to do their best to communicate with me and it didn’t feel like a bother.  We enjoyed having a chat :) I was able to find out everything I needed to know about the venue and the locations of all 3 pools. They have a kids areas too which was great because now I shall return with my kids and have a great family inclusive day out.  Being a Deaf person  sometimes I experience people thinking I have a low intelligence or that I won’t understand them. This is a really damaging assumption as I am a smart woman and live a great life, I just can’t hear. I am really mindful of not wanting my kids to experience or witness discrimination as I went them to have a great experience in the world and see all people as equals.  I really enjoyed using the Cérge app, I had heard good things about it from a friend who used it in Auckland and so I was happy to give it a go!

I thought my love for basketball was gone forever, I thought we had our time & now we were over for good. I haven’t played basketball for 6 years, it’s like losing so much of my identity, a part of myself.I’m a huge fan of sport but I have anxiety & depression, I like to live alone and I like quiet places. Quiet places & sport don’t always go together that well, so for the past few years anxiety wins & I haven’t been able to immerse myself in sport like in the past.I know playing again would help. I just can’t get to the point of where it can help me because my barriers aren’t in playing the sport. My barriers are leaving the house.Whenever I have to go somewhere, my mind pretends like I am already there & starts having different conversations.So many voices & thoughts all telling me different scenarios & that makes it hard for me to concentrate. When I reach the place where I know it will be busy my heart starts beating fast, I feel alot of anxiety & discomfort & my brain get frozen.All I can think of is bad situations. Bad outcomes. Bad scenarios. It’s exhausting.I am scared people are going to make fun of me & won’t talk to me & it loops around & around. When I go in there & I am not comfortable I start feeling anxious & uneasy & feel like running away. Fight or flight kicks in & it can really take over my life.I heard about Cérge & at first wasn’t sure it could help me. I didn’t want to make a big deal or draw attention to myself but I noticed Eagle Stadium was on the app & they have basketball. I love ball.It took me a while to work up the courage to go to check it out. I looked at the Visual Story & Sensory Guide & went through all the stuff on the app. I knew if I could prepare my brain for what it would see by looking at all the photos, then when I get there it would be like what I have already seen & it would hack my brain to feel more at ease.The survival tips and processes of anxiety & depression are very real & often very unnoticed.After a few months I finally felt ready. I had all the information and all the visuals. I used the app to let customer service know I was going and used the Cérge chat in the app also for support.Arriving at Eagle Stadium & going to the courts felt like home, I could not look away. The smell of the court, the squeak of the ball. My body remembered & it felt like home. The staff were so welcoming and kind & gave me a timetable and spoke to me about what was on and when.Hearing the bounce, the ball, the cheers, the thumping as people ran up & down the courts. I need to be back. I am so coming back.I left with desire & a plan! The staff gave me details of who organise teams so I can play in a team & I also asked about tennis because I would love to play tennis. Buts that’s the next story!
 

Sequels are rarely as good as the originals, but that was not true today...

I hadn’t been in a pool in over 40 years and now I’ve been twice in two weeks. This is nothing short of a miracle. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would enjoy swimming. Ever.

I have an extreme fear of water, epilepsy, a heart condition and a lung condition. Being near water terrifies me not only from a fear perspective but from a “what if I had a seizure in the water or my lungs played up”…… that could be really bad.

It’s been easier to avoid water for 4 decades than even attempt to try anything in water, except shower.

Trying Cérge the first time was amazing and gave me so much confidence in having support that I went to the pool again today.

We ventured down to Bribie Aquatic which was a completely new location. Usually I would be nervous but having used Cérge the other week I trusted the staff at the pool would look after me. It felt good, kinda like the smart heart tick, that makes you know something is a better choice at the shops. I knew because they have Cérge, that they care. It’s a good feeling.

I was excited today, I spoke to my Support Worker about wanting to learn to swim. These are big words…. I’ll remind you… 40years! I was a grasshopper last time I was in a pool.

When we arrived Lisa was fantastic she showed us the pools and the areas and was so friendly, she made me feel right at home straight away. I was ready to get in and get going and it felt good to be excited and not nervous for once. What a difference that makes.

I swam quite a few lengths of the pool with a pool noodle, this is huge for me because being in the middle of the pool is the scariest bit. But I did it and gee I’m proud of myself!

Lisa checked on us whilst I was swimming and made sure I was having fun, and I really was!

I noticed they have a whirlpool, I want to try that next!

It’s like my youth is ignited, I can feel my fear displacing and my adrenaline junkie side coming out. Hehe.

I got to talking to someone at the pool today too, I was so excited that it helped my confidence and I started chatting.

Its amazing how I can now imagine going to the pool regularly, learning to swim, meeting friends.

I never knew this could be MY life!

A whole new part of my life has opened up and I’m truly so happy!

Thank you so much Cérge for doing what you do, you are giving me the extra in the ordinary!

Thank you Bribie Aquatic, see you next week in the whirlpool! Yeeharrr!!! <<Read what happens next moving from Isolation to Independence>><<Read the original Story of Inclusion from two weeks earlier here>> 

I was a Chef many years ago and because of my spinal injury and some other concerns in my life at the time I had to stop. It broke my heart because it’s a true love of mine.

I started my apprenticeship at 17 as soon as I finished yr 12 and was lucky to study at the Sofitel Culinarily Academy. Starting in a local pub (Where I learnt a lot), I very quickly I got to work with some of the best chefs and in the greatest kitchens in the country. It truly sucked having to stop. 

I love Cérge and am a frequent user so when I saw that Cérge was available for the Chefs In Conversation at The Curated Plate Festival on the Sunshine Coast I jumped at the chance to attend!

I notified Altitude 9 that I would be on my way and arrive within the hour. I had my Support Worker Poppy with me and I let the venue know the things I needed them to know for the day. I use a mobility aid and so I had already checked out all the information online so I knew in advance I could access the venue.

I have a bunch of food allergies and I knew food would be tough for me. I ate beforehand as my food can honestly be incredibly hard for me. They were amazing and offered different options but I was happy to hear the chefs talk.
I felt so at home and it was amazing to be around industry leaders such as Peter Kuruvita (Alba) and also a living legend! 
Tom Hitchcock (Spirit House) which is a world class venue, Cameron Mathews ( Mapleton Public House) and Stacey Connor (Humble on Duke) who was great to talk to!

One thing I feel so happy about is that the partnership between this event and Cérge is the only reason it was possible for me. This is an event I wouldn’t consider because it would feel way too hard and overwhelming. Simply because they had Cérge I knew they cared, it meant I could do something that it of my comfort zone but that offered a way to fill my heart again by being around such incredible chefs. It was absolutely so inspiring. I spoke with Stacey from Humble on Duke and what a great person. Very interesting and passionate about the industry. 

When I arrived I was made to feel so incredibly welcome by Jarnia, her happy, welcoming vibe where nothing was too much trouble. I could feel all she wanted was for me to have a good time. 

Thank you for such a great event within a wonderful festival, but mostly, thank you for caring and considering me.

It matters.
 

Both my father and my husband have disabilities so I wanted to check out Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex with the Cérge app to see if it could help us and make things easier. Before I visited the pool, I felt very curious about how the visit would go, as a person without a disability personally there is lots that we do not consider. With both my father and my husband having disabilities, and to put myself in their shoes was eye opening.? We used the Cérge app to let the staff know we were coming and required a tour of the facilities to see what would be suitable. After looking around the grounds, we felt comfortable and well accounted for. Staff were helpful and trained in the equipment that is offered for people with a range of disabilities.? Before I went to the location, I was optimistic. As one of the newer facilities within our community, I feel that they will be the most helpful and new facilities to cover a range of disabilities. The staff were so kind and ready to roll. They answered all questions confidently and with great understanding.? We had a wonderful experience and will definitely use Cérge in many more businesses to let them know our needs. I’m off to let dad know about Cérge and to give it a go! He will require more needs than me and I feel confident they will have him sorted!?